Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads

Region 2 June Meeting Cancellation Notice:

Due to low registration the June Region II meeting for Saturday, June 13th, 2026 has been cancelled. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Region II VP Michael Blankenship.

Swiftwater Rescue Operations Class #2 in the books. Special thanks to all who made this class another successful training session!

Region 1 June Meeting Cancellation Notice:

Due to low registration the June Region I meeting for this Saturday, June 6, 2026 has been cancelled. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Region I VP Bucky Ayers.

Today, we pause to remember the men and women who gave everything for this nation. Memorial Day is more than a holiday — it is a time to honor the courage, sacrifice, and selflessness of those who answered the call when America needed them most.

“Whether they were strangers or friends, neighbors or brothers, all of them stepped forward when America needed them most. They were all we could have asked, and they were everything we could hope to be.” — Ronald Reagan

The Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads proudly stands in remembrance of our fallen heroes and in gratitude for the freedoms their sacrifice secured. May we never forget the price that was paid for our liberty.

Today, we honor their sacrifice. Tomorrow, we carry their legacy forward.

Our last and final day of Rescue Squad Week. We want to recognize our TARS State Officers who help lead and serve our Association across Tennessee.

While many see the conferences, meetings, training programs, competitions, and events that TARS provides, what often goes unseen are the countless hours of leadership, planning, decision-making, and service that happen behind the scenes to keep this organization moving forward.

Our State Officers work year-round to support member rescue squads, strengthen training opportunities, promote the rescue service, and help guide the future of the Association. They balance careers, family life, emergency response duties, and personal sacrifices — all while volunteering their time to serve the rescue community statewide.

Their leadership is built on one common goal: supporting the men and women who answer the call across Tennessee every single day.

To each of our State Officers — thank you for your dedication, your leadership, and your commitment to the rescue service and the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads.

Your work continues to make a difference in communities across our state.

Behind every successful meeting, conference, training event, certification, and day-to-day operation of the Association is someone making sure everything stays together — and for TARS, that person is Shannon.

From coordinating meetings and managing the state office to organizing schedules, handling the constant demands of the Association, and somehow keeping everyone moving in the same direction, Shannon plays a vital role in every aspect of TARS operations. Her leadership, dedication, and commitment help ensure that rescue squads across Tennessee continue to receive the support and organization they depend on.

Shannon also holds a special place in the history of the Association as the first female Executive Director of the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads — a milestone that reflects both her leadership and the respect she has earned throughout the rescue community.

Those who know Shannon know she wears many hats every single day — planner, organizer, coordinator, problem solver, encourager, leader, and above all else, a mom. Even while balancing the demands of family and the nonstop responsibilities of running a statewide association, she continues to serve TARS with professionalism, heart, and dedication.

The work she does may not always be visible to everyone, but the impact is felt across the entire state.

Thank you, Shannon, for your tireless dedication to TARS, its member squads, and the rescue service across Tennessee.

RESCUE SQUAD WEEK SPOTLIGHT

Honoring Brian Robinson

This week, the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads proudly recognizes Brian Robinson, Training Coordinator for TARS and one of the driving forces behind rescue education across Tennessee.

Year after year, Brian dedicates countless hours to ensuring responders across our state are trained, prepared, and equipped to serve their communities safely and effectively. Through his leadership and instruction, hundreds of students receive hands-on training in:

* Vehicle Extrication
* Grain Bin Rescue
* Heavy Rescue
* Farm Rescue
* Swiftwater Rescue
* Train-the-Trainer Programs
* And many other specialized rescue disciplines

Brian’s commitment to education and responder readiness has directly strengthened rescue squads throughout Tennessee. His passion for training, mentorship, and service continues to shape the next generation of rescuers while improving the capabilities of departments statewide.

Whether in the classroom, on the training ground, or beside responders during complex scenarios, Brian represents the very heart of what the rescue service stands for — leadership, dedication, professionalism, and service to others.

Thank you, Brian, for the impact you make across Tennessee and for your unwavering commitment to the rescue community.

Thank you Region 3 & Region 4!

Today, the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads proudly recognizes the dedicated rescue squads and emergency responders serving Region III and Region IV across Middle and West Tennessee.

From the rolling hills and growing communities of Middle Tennessee to the farmlands, river communities, and rural towns of West Tennessee, these responders continue to answer the call with courage, professionalism, and compassion.

Whether responding to severe weather, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, technical rescues, or disasters, the men and women serving throughout Regions III and IV remain committed to protecting the citizens and communities of Tennessee every single day.

Their dedication reflects the true spirit of service and sacrifice that defines the rescue service across our state.

To every volunteer, career responder, officer, and support member serving in Regions III and IV — thank you for your unwavering commitment and for all that you do for Tennessee.

Today we recognize our Region 1 and Region 2 members…

Today, the Tennessee Association of Rescue Squads proudly recognizes the dedicated rescue squads, responders, and emergency service professionals serving Region I and Region II across East Tennessee.

From the mountains to the valleys, these men and women stand ready at all hours — responding to emergencies, protecting their communities, and serving with courage, professionalism, and compassion.

Their commitment does not go unnoticed.

We thank every volunteer, career responder, officer, support member, and family who sacrifices time and comfort to answer the call when others need help most.

Your service strengthens Tennessee every single day.

Rescue Squad Week
This week, we recognize the dedicated men and women of rescue squads across Tennessee and beyond who answer the call day and night — often without hesitation and without recognition.

From vehicle extrications and water rescues to search operations and disaster response, rescue squad personnel stand ready to serve their communities during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Thank you to every volunteer, career responder, family member, and supporter who makes this mission possible. Your commitment, sacrifice, and service do not go unnoticed.

Join us this week in honoring our rescue squads and the lifesaving work they do every single day.