For the Tomahawk Leader

WISCONSIN – Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake on Tuesday, Aug. 2 announced that an $8 million investment into supporting and stabilizing Wisconsin’s emergency medical services would be distributed to communities across the state.

Evers previously announced the investment during his 2022 State of the State address as part of a $20 million investment to support EMS providers across the state, especially in rural communities, which includes another $12 million for one-time flexible grants for small, under-resourced EMS providers who did not otherwise qualify for specific existing state grants.

“The one-time supplemental $8 million investment, funded through the state’s American Rescue Plan Act dollars, was distributed to communities who receive annual Funding Assistance Program (FAP) grants,” a release from Evers’ office stated.

FAP grants are available to all public ambulance service providers, including volunteer fire departments, nonprofits, and county and municipality services, and can be used for things such as new emergency service vehicles, safety upgrades to existing vehicles, durable diagnostic medical equipment, immobilization equipment, patient transport equipment and more.

Each awardee received a supplemental grant of $24,390.00 in addition to their regularly allocated grant.

Local grant recipients include Lincoln County EMS in Tomahawk and Merrill; the City of Antigo Fire Department; Howard Young Medical Center Ambulance, Oneida County EMS, Oneida County Ambulance, Rhinelander Fire Department, all in Rhinelander; and the Prentice Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Service.

“Our first responders play an absolutely vital role in the safety and security of our communities, and no matter what the emergency or where we live, we count on EMS providers to be there for us when we need them most,” Evers said. “But for too long, EMS providers and our local partners have been doing more with less, having to make tough decisions and even reduce or cut services that keep our communities safe. These folks know their communities best, so we’re getting them the resources with the flexibility to decide what they need to best serve their communities, keep Wisconsinites safe, and do their important work.”

“Being able to access medical care quickly can provide life-saving minutes for families during their greatest time of need,” said DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake. “This investment gives a boost to our state’s EMS providers who are facing many challenges and risking their lives every day to protect the health and safety of their communities.”

A full list of grant awardees and amounts is available at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/fap-recipients.htm.