News, Events & Announcements

Texas first responders are gearing up for a communication training that will address communications interoperability during emergencies. Coordinated by the East Texas Council of Governments and the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Division of Emergency Management, this workshop marks a collaborative effort to bolster emergency communication systems and emphasize the importance of seamless communications in crisis situations. Over three days, from May 17th to May 19th, participants from various sectors will engage in radio communication tests, workshops on technological advancements, and discussion on the future of emergency communications. The exercise will kick off at the Tyler Junior College West Campus before transitioning to operational platforms for real-world testing. Interested participants are encouraged to register for the event at www.preparingtexas.org and search for “Regional Communications” in the main search bar to join the collective effort to enhance public safety communication across Texas and the East Texas region.

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) has extended its 9-1-1 addressing program to Cherokee County, enhancing emergency response capabilities for the region.

State agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, universities or colleges, and federally recognized Native American tribes can soon apply for FY 2025 grant funds from the Office of the Governor, Public Safety Office , State Homeland Security Grant Program and Criminal Justice division. New and continuing applicants in ETCOG’s fourteen (14) county region are invited to attend FREE grant application workshops hosted by the ETCOG Public Safety division . There will be five workshops for each grant category to be held virtually from December 14, 2023, through January 29, 2024. Grant funding will be available for the following programs: Homeland Security State Homeland Security Program – Regular Projects (SHSP-R) Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Activities (LETPA) Criminal Justice General Victim Assistance Direct Services Program (VOCA) Violence Against Women Justice and Training Program (VAWA) Juvenile Justice & Truancy Prevention Grant Program (SF-JJTP) Criminal Justice Program (DJ-JAG) Residential & Community-Based Services for Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) “The goal is to improve public safety, support victims of crime, and assist jurisdictions by filling gaps in the region via funding that promotes innovative solutions to regional problems,” said ETCOG’s Public Safety Director, Stephanie Heffner. “We help applicants understand what needs to go into their grant applications and what they have to track once they receive funding from the state so we can successfully bring public safety projects to East Texas.” Workshops for Homeland Security will be held on the following dates: Thursday, 12/28/23 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM Thursday, 01/04/24 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM Thursday, 01/11/24 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM Thursday, 01/18/24 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM Thursday, 01/25/24 - 10:00 to 11:15 AM Workshops for Criminal Justice will be held on the following dates: Thursday, 12/14/23 – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, 12/19/22 – 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, 01/10/24 – 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, 01/16/24 – 2:00 p.m. Monday 01/29/24 – 10:00 a.m. Workshops are mandatory if you plan to apply for funding. To participate in a virtual workshop for Homeland Security, visit www.pineywoods911.com/homeland-security . To participate in a virtual workshop for Criminal Justice, visit www.pineywoods911.com/criminal-justice .

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is proud to announce the expansion of its 911 addressing program to include Harrison County. ETCOG is the region's primary planning and coordinating entity for emergency 911 communications in the region. A 911 Address is the address used to send to Fire / Police / other Emergency Services teams when a 911 call is placed. It is a requirement to provide an accurate address to ensure a timely response in case of an emergency.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. If you don't see your event, email our Director of Communications, Lindsay Vanderbilt . Anderson County Palestine Neighborhood parties | various locations | various times Register your party here Cherokee County Bullard Bullard City Hall | 6-8 p.m. This event is an opportunity to meet and show support the Bullard Police Department, Bullard Volunteer Fire Department, EMS, local DPS Officers, and other local law enforcement officials. Meet local first responders, enjoy free food, fellowship with the community, fun kid activities, plus so much more! Jacksonville Downtown Enjoy bounce houses, slides, games, prizes, and more. Gregg County Longview Neighborhood parties | various locations | various times Register your party here Smith County Tyler Neighborhood parties | various locations | 5-9 p.m. Register your party here

ETCOG announces the expansion of its 911 addressing program to include Rusk County. As the region's primary planning and coordinating entity for emergency 911 communications, ETCOG is responsible for ensuring advanced 911 services are available to wireless callers, planning for Next Generation 911 , and managing addressing services for cities and counties in the area. With the addition of this new county, ETCOG's 911 addressing program now covers nine counties and 30 cities in East Texas, providing vital information to emergency responders in the event of an emergency. This includes the exact location of callers and details about their address, which can be crucial in situations where every second counts. ETCOG's commitment to ensuring that advanced 911 services are available to wireless callers is a crucial part of its mission to provide the highest level of emergency response possible. By working closely with state and local officials, ETCOG has been able to deploy these services across the region, ensuring that residents have access to the latest technology to protect their safety. ETCOG is committed to providing the highest level of service to residents across the region. To request or verify a 911 address, visit www.pineywoods911.com/9-1-1-address-verification-or-request.

The National Association of School Resource Officers encourages schools and communities to recognize the valuable work of their school resource officers during National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day February 15. SROs are carefully selected, specifically trained, sworn law enforcement officers assigned by an employing law enforcement agency to work with schools using community-oriented policing concepts. “We established National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day last year, after receiving frequent inquiries from schools around the country regarding the most appropriate day to recognize their SROs,” said NASRO executive director Mo Canady. “We encourage schools and communities to take time Feb. 15 to let their SROs know how much they appreciate the work these officers do to bridge gaps between law enforcement and youth and to keep schools safe.” The SRO assignment is unique within the law enforcement profession. These officers fill a three-part role, serving as informal mentors or counselors, law educators and law enforcement officers to support the students and communities they serve. They are valuable and essential members of the education community who deserve unwavering respect and support from the public in the pursuit of keeping schools and students safe. NASRO published a National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day proclamation on its website.  The organization chose Feb. 15 for National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day because it falls during the traditional academic year and is the birthdate of Archie Hodge, the only NASRO founding member who remains active on the organization’s board of directors. Hodge, of Jackson, Mississippi, retired from law enforcement in 2006 after serving as an SRO for 22 years. About NASRO The National Association of School Resource Officers is a nonprofit organization for school-based law enforcement officers, school administrators and school security and safety professionals working as partners to protect students, school faculty and staff, and the schools where they learn and work. NASRO provides specific training for SROs at locations around the nation, hosts an annual National School Safety Conference and advocates for best practices to help SRO programs accomplish their goals while avoiding unintended consequences. NASRO is headquartered in Hoover, Alabama, and was established in 1991. For more information, visit www.nasro.org .

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) announces $4.5 million in grants from the Governor's Public Safety Office awarded to East Texas jurisdictions and nonprofits. The Governor's Public Safety Office administers federal and state grant funding to promote strategies that improve public safety, support victims of crime, prevent terrorism, and prepare communities for the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to Texans.

Mandatory Workshops Scheduled for Applicants