Homeland Security says EMS lacks strategy, unified approach

By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Office of Homeland Security told state EMS representatives today that EMS lacks a strategy and, until they get one, won't receive the first-responder funding they are seeking.

"You have got to have a regionalized strategy," Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Director (Ret.) Major Alecia Webb-Edgington told EMS representatives. "The key is to have the Kentucky Board of EMS develop a regional strategy and then approach Homeland Security with specific needs and grant requests."

Maj. Edgington met with representatives of the Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association, Central Kentucky EMS Alliance, and the Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association at her office today to discuss Homeland Security funding for EMS. Representatives from KBEMS, although invited, did not attend.

Since 2004 the Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association has expressed concerns in Washington, D.C., that EMS has been receiving a disproportionate share of Homeland Security emergency preparedness funding. Studies by the General Accounting Office have shown that, nationwide, EMS receives less than 4% of the total Homeland Security funding awarded to the nation's first responders.

Starting in 2005 EMS was allowed to participate in the federal Assistance to Firefighters grant program, a program in place before Sept. 11, 2001. So far during this budget year, Kentucky has received less than 3% of the grant awards from that program.

With help from Rep. Hal Rodgers and support from other Kentucky Congressional Members, the House submitted legislation in 2005 and 2006 that would have required a 10% set-aside for EMS, but that legislation has never made it out of committee in the Senate.

KAPA, while still seeking federal assistance, began focusing more attention on the state Homeland Security Office this year, which included a meeting last month with Governor Ernie Fletcher, Kentucky Homeland Security Deputy Director Jason Keller, and Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Mark Birdwhistell.

Maj. Edgington explained that KBEMS "has a seat at the table" representing EMS. "KBEMS needs to decide the strategy to be funded and then come to Homeland Security with a cumulative grant request. You need to identify the problems in your community but apply as a region."

In addition to KBEMS, Maj. Edgington suggested that EMS work closer with William Hacker, M.D., Kentucky's public health commissioner.

"Let Dr. Hacker be your voice to compliment what he's already doing in HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) and MMRS (Metropolitan Medical Response Service)," Maj. Edgington said.

Dr. Hacker explained that "We've been reaching out to EMS all along, but there is not a unified voice. We need to have input from EMS."

Dr. Hacker also explained that a recent accounting shows that 15% to 20% of HRSA grants go to EMS.

"You all have been kind of shoved around a bit, and we've got to fix that," Maj. Edgington said.

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