Emergency Medical Services Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can we acquire an ambulance or fire truck for our rural EMS unit?
• How do we get an AED for our rural EMS unit?
• Are there continuing education programs for EMS personnel?
• Who is my state EMS contact?

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Question: How can we acquire an ambulance or fire truck for our rural EMS unit?

Answer: You have many different options:

• North Central EMS Cooperative
  A network of more than 3000 EMS agencies in 49 states and several provinces, which purchase equipment together on national contracts.
• Western EMS Network
  A network similar to the NCEMSC, providing similar cost savings opportunities
• Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program
  Sponsored by USDA Rural Development, providing funds that may be used to purchase equipment for emergency medical services. Contact your local USDA Rural Development Office for specific information.

There are also several commercial websites specializing in EMS equipment. Examples include:

• Ambulances offered for sale or trade
• Used ambulances
• New or pre-owned ambulances, fire fighting apparatus, rescue or first responder vehicles

Many municipal and volunteer fire and emergency services departments obtain surplus government property through the Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program. Some of this property includes surplus government fire trucks. To inquire about obtaining this type of vehicle, contact your State Agency for Surplus Property (SASP).

Question: How do we get an AED for our rural EMS unit?

Answer: There are several funding opportunities listed in the RAC Funding section of this website. The Rural Access to Emergency Devices (RAED) Grant Program, from the Office of Rural Health Policy, provides funding to rural communities to purchase automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and to train in their use and maintenance.

You might try contacting your state's EMS office for any available funding. The National Association of State EMS Officials has a list of these offices.

Check with your state office of rural health. They may be aware of state or regional funding for AEDs.

RAC Information Specialists can also do a Foundation Directory search for you to see if any national or state foundations in your area provide for EMS equipment.

Question: Are there continuing education programs for EMS personnel?

Answer: Several of the organizations and tools listed on this document contain continuing education information. In addition, FEMA provides a comprehensive list of training and education resources available from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), including course offerings from both the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and the National Fire Academy (NFA). The NHTSA Office of EMS has developed and revised educational materials and resources for EMS personnel, programs, and systems. The Western EMS Network offers reduced pricing with one of the nations premier on-line continuing education providers.

There are also several conferences/education programs listed in the RAC News & Events section of this website.

Question: Who is my state EMS contact?

Answer: State EMS contacts are available from the National Association of State EMS Officials.

Credits

Thanks goes to:

Nels Sanddal, Critical Illness and Trauma Foundation

Kyle Muus, UND Center for Rural Health

Gary Wingrove, Mayo Clinic Medical Transport

Maintained by: Mary Reinertson-Sand, mary@raconline.org

Last revised 09/19/2011