Homeland Security language would increase EMS financial support

National Association of State EMS Officials Press Release

FALLS CHURCH, Virginia — Members of Advocates for EMS applaud Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY), Ranking Member Martin Sabo (D-MN), and the members of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee for its inclusion of report language that would increase federal support for emergency medical services (EMS) in their fiscal year 2007 appropriations bill.  The Homeland Security Appropriations bill was passed by the Appropriations Committee Tuesday by voice vote and is headed to the House floor for further consideration and passage.

The Committee directive requires the Office of Grants and Training at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to include in its grant guidance that State and local governments include EMS representatives in planning committees as an equal partner and to facilitate a nationwide EMS needs assessment. In addition, no later than January 16, 2007, the Department is to report to the House Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on Homeland Security on the use of State and local, urban area security initiative, and firefighter assistance grant funds for EMS.

Finally, the directive requires that no less than ten percent of State Homeland Security Grants and the High Threat, High Density Urban Area Grants must be provided to EMS providers to better train and equip them to provide critical life-saving assistance.

President of Advocates for EMS, Nathan Williams, said that “We are encouraged by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Homeland Security’s recognition of the need and continued support for increased funding for EMS providers at the Department of Homeland Security.  This is a significant increase in funding for EMS providers and will ensure a floor of funding of $129.5 million for EMS.  In FY 2004 and 2005, EMS providers only received four percent of first responder funding.  Advocates for EMS will work with the Senate Appropriations Committee to seek support for identical language.”

In the FY 2004 and FY 2005, Advocates for EMS worked with Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee and requested directives for reports required by the Department of Homeland Security to the Appropriations Committee on state and local expenditures for EMS under the Homeland Security and Fire Grant programs.  This was the first time that federal EMS expenditures had been accounted for under DHS, and until these reports were required, the actual dollar amount that EMS was receiving from the DHS  were unknown.  The reports established the fact that EMS receives less than four percent of first responder funding for which they are eligible, the remainder going to other first responder services.

Advocates for EMS is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness among decision-makers in Washington on issues affecting emergency medical service (EMS) providers.

Copyright © 2006 The Kentucky EMS Connection. All rights reserved. News stories may be copyrighted by another organization. Original material may be reproduced provided source is credited.