It's clear that the EMTs in our community are the unsung heroes, dedicating their time and energy to aiding people and saving lives without adequate compensation or support.
Our county is not sustainable without grants and loans.
As a nation, and locally as a county, we depend on first responders, more than ever, to save lives. Our goal is to ensure that they are ready to respond to situations: anywhere, anytime. My goal is to hire 4 EMT fulltime supervisors over 4 sections of our county. These Full-Time Supervisors will double as resource officers and earn every penny of $95,000 a year. They will be our great strength to reinforce our community in being prepared.
Our EMTs are the angels of our community. They essentially volunteer their time for free, often sacrificing time with their families as they remain chained to either their homes or the station often missing other activities, while sitting at the station, receiving no compensation. Out of only 22 EMTs, the majority of the workload falls on just 10 individuals.
When on a call, they earn less than a Taco Bell worker. Our EMTs are aging, and some have moved away. They continuously apply for grants to acquire equipment and supplies.
These individuals care for those in dire situations, including those who have overdosed. The age of those they care for is decreasing, with cases involving children as young as 9 years old attempting suicide. Our children are subjected to constant criticism, pressure, and hate, often from their peers.
Franklin County is not self-sufficient by any measure. Our EMT department is not truly sustainable. While they perform admirably as volunteers, the current economic climate makes this an unjust burden for each volunteer. It is wrong to demand so much from them without providing anything in return. We need a volunteer force of at least 40 active, qualified members to alleviate some of the burden from the current force. Additionally, we should have four more ambulances that can be taken home, allowing those on call to have a better family life.
However, this is not a lasting solution. We must generate revenue and start paying at least four full-time leaders a living wage.. We need to revamp the system entirely. While additional funds are available through drug and health sources, grants are not guaranteed future revenue.
Without these volunteers, where would we be?
The fact that our EMT department relies heavily on grants and volunteers is indicative of a larger issue: the lack of sustainable funding for essential services. While grants can provide temporary relief and much-needed equipment, they are not a reliable long-term solution. We need to prioritize funding for our emergency services to ensure they have the resources and support they need to operate effectively.
Investing in our EMT department means more than just providing salaries for full-time staff; it means investing in the safety and well-being of our entire community. By ensuring that our EMTs are adequately compensated and supported, we can attract and retain qualified professionals, alleviate the burden on current volunteers, and ultimately provide better care for those in need.
Generating revenue through sources like drug and health funds is a step in the right direction, but we need to go further. We must explore sustainable funding options and prioritize the needs of our emergency services in budget allocations. This may require collaboration with local government, community organizations, and stakeholders to find creative solutions and secure long-term funding commitments.
Ultimately, the dedication and sacrifice of our EMTs deserve to be recognized and rewarded. They are the backbone of our community, and it's essential that we prioritize their well-being and ensure they have the support they need to continue their lifesaving work.
WHAT TO WATCH
Rural communities as ours miss out on county funds set aside to operate our EMT's, because we haven't the money. Grants are not a reliable mainstay, and our EMT's are seeking and applying for these grant when available. Grants can be a way to pay for many of the hard and soft cost such as equipment, supplies, fuel, and vehicles, training, and staff, including paying having the money to write those monthly pay checks. A commissioner must be vigilant in saving money as well as acquiring funds to operate. There is an obligation to gain a vast knowledge base and to seek solutions as a priority.
To be proactive, meeting challenges head on, instead of waiting for all the life blood of a patient to bleed out just to add blood and with the goal to resuscitate would be negligence. The goal is to prevent the accident from ever happening in the first place. When that fails, as a county we must Stop the bleeding, and prevent the bleed out.
We must take proactive measures, Good leaders are our greatest servants that work at preventing losses, and work at improving and building a strong community, and part of which is utilizing all of tools available, including the staking of multiple grants available. We are obligated.
Building a strong defense: Why neck training matters for first responders
EMS Grant CenterEmpowering rural and volunteer
EMS departments through grant fundingWhy smaller EMS agencies need grant funding, and four programs to look intoDecember 08, 2023 04:13 PMFor rural and volunteer EMS agencies, grant funding is a lifeline.MrAlanC/Getty Images/iStockphotoBy Adam HurshGrant funding initiatives enable rural and volunteer EMS departments to deliver high-quality emergency medical services to their communities. These departments frequently grapple with financial constraints stemming from limited resources and relatively low call volumes. Grant funding programs offer a lifeline by facilitating the acquisition of essential equipment, training and personnel, thus bolstering the capacity of these departments to deliver effective emergency medical services.Let’s explore the requirements for grant funding programs within the rural and volunteer EMS sector. We’ll also highlight the existing grant opportunities available to support their mission.
Challenges faced by rural and volunteer EMS departments
Rural and volunteer EMS departments encounter many challenges that significantly impede their ability to deliver high-quality emergency medical services to their communities. These obstacles stem from several interconnected factors. Most departments grapple with limited resources, encompassing constraints in funding, equipment and personnel. This scarcity hinders their capacity to respond effectively to medical emergencies and invest in essential upgrades, putting them at a distinct disadvantage.Additionally, limited call volume can exacerbate the situation as rural and volunteer EMS departments struggle to generate the necessary revenue to support their operations. Maintaining equipment, providing vital training for personnel and covering day-to-day expenses are contingent on consistent calls for service. Challenging billing processes further exacerbate the struggle to balance the books. Frequently, the dire consequences of insufficient revenue result in the unfortunate demise of these organizations, leaving communities underserved. Sometimes, geographic barriers can loom large for rural EMS departments as they confront the daunting challenges of extensive distances and demanding terrain. These factors significantly impede their capacity to respond promptly to emergencies, potentially jeopardizing the lives of those in need. In tandem with these geographic hurdles, personnel shortages persist as an issue. A scarcity of trained staff means departments must often resort to mandatory overtime, leading to burnout and high turnover among their dedicated but overburdened personnel. In the broader context, these challenges are aggravated by the nationwide competition for a limited pool of individuals willing to pursue emergency medical services as a career. These interconnected challenges make it imperative for innovative solutions to ensure rural and volunteer EMS departments can continue to serve their communities effectively.
The need for grant funding for rural and volunteer EMS departments
Grant funding programs are pivotal in bolstering the resilience of rural and volunteer EMS departments, equipping them to tackle their multifaceted challenges head-on. These programs infuse much-needed resources, equipment and training into these vital community service providers, ensuring they can continue to deliver top-tier emergency medical services. The advantages of grant funding programs for these departments cannot be overstated.First, grant funding programs are instrumental in securing improved equipment. They empower rural and volunteer EMS departments to procure essential tools such as ambulances, cardiac monitors, and other life-saving equipment. Given their often-strained budgets and the escalating costs of essential equipment, this support fortifies their capacity to serve their communities effectively.Additionally, these programs invest in the training and education of EMS personnel, a cornerstone for delivering effective emergency medical services and enhancing patient outcomes. For instance, the state of Michigan’s substantial investment of $30 million through 2026 has been dedicated to addressing the EMS workforce shortage, particularly by funding EMT and paramedic schools for new and existing employees. As the shortage continues, it is evident that similar grants will be essential on a nationwide scale.Grant funding programs also contribute to the recruitment and retention of personnel within rural and volunteer EMS departments. By providing the means to attract and retain skilled professionals, these programs alleviate staffing shortages, enabling these departments to offer 24/7 coverage while mitigating burnout and reducing turnover rates. Effective marketing, coupled with funding for training, forms a potent combination to fortify these organizations. These programs enhance response times by facilitating the deployment of additional personnel and equipment, enabling rural EMS departments to deliver timely emergency medical services, and enhancing the safety and well-being of their communities.
Available grant programs for rural and volunteer EMS departments
Several grant programs are available to help rural and volunteer EMS departments acquire the necessary funding, equipment and training to provide quality emergency medical services. Some of these programs are at the state level, while others provide funding to organizations across the country, including:
Emergency Medical Training Grant (MN): The Minnesota Department of Education funds Minnesota school districts, charter schools and cooperative units. This funding is intended to support the enhancement and expansion of emergency medical coursework to foster partnerships that serve the well-being of students, families and communities requiring a skilled healthcare workforce.
Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFG): The AFG program provides funding to fire departments and EMS organizations for equipment, training and personnel. The program has a 10% match requirement, and awards are based on the department’s needs and the availability of funding.
Rural Emergency Medical Services Training Grant: This program aims to recruit and train rural EMS personnel, emphasizing substance use and mental health disorders. Recipients must train EMS personnel in delivering trauma-informed, recovery-focused care during emergencies and maintain relevant licenses and certifications as needed.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation: The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation funds fire departments and EMS organizations for equipment, training and personnel. The program has no match requirement, and awards are based on the department’s needs and funding availability.
A lifeline for EMSGrant funding initiatives enable rural and volunteer EMS departments to deliver high-quality emergency medical services to their communities. These programs offer the essential financial support, equipment and training required to help these departments surmount challenges. Rural and volunteer EMS departments should seize the opportunities these grant programs present to enhance their emergency medical services, ensuring prompt and efficient care for their communities.Want to get started with EMS grants? Lexipol’s EMSGrantsHelp service is here to help! Learn more.Awards and GrantsBudgetEMS AdvocacyEMS Grant CenterEMS GrantsFundingLegislation & Funding
Building a strong defense: Why neck training matters for first responders
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