For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake announced on Tuesday, Sept. 20 that $32 million in emergency medical services (EMS) Flex Grants had been awarded to 442 EMS providers in nearly every county across the state.
In June, DHS announced that it would allocate $12 million in EMS Flex Grants to Wisconsin EMS providers.
Last week, Evers announced that an additional $20 million investment into the EMS Flex Grant Program had been made “based on substantial need in communities across the state, with the 442 applying EMS providers requesting more than $63 million in support.”
Under the Flex Grants, funds were provided for operating expenses for EMS, including, but not limited to:
- Medical and personal protective equipment/protective supplies
- Emergency operations, including training required to maintain licensure or upgrade service level
- Response equipment, including training required to operate the equipment
- Emergency response vehicles
- Emergency medical devices/trauma stabilization/pediatric and neonatal transport equipment
- Staff recruitment and retention
According to DHS, Lincoln County EMS in Merrill received $66,320.00 in funding. $48,450.00 was allocated to the Nokomis Fire Department First Responders.
The Little Rice Fire Department First Responders received $33,500.00. Oneida County Ambulance in Rhinelander was awarded $112,960.00, while $85,570.00 was allocated to the Rhinelander Fire Department.
The Central Price County Ambulance Service was awarded $21,400.00. The Prentice Volunteer Fire Department Ambulance Service received $113,390.00.
“For years, our local partners have been asked to do more with less, and so many communities have had to cut back on services like public safety across our state,” Evers stated. “Our EMS providers are often the first on the scene, providing critical care when we need them the most – especially over these past few years – and I know these folks are stretched thin. This funding is going to provide much needed support to our EMS providers across the state to help ensure they have the tools and resources they need to meet the needs in their communities and continue their life-saving work.”
“These grants will provide additional support to more EMS providers, including prioritizing our rural communities to ensure they have adequate emergency response options,” said DHS Secretary-designee Timberlake. “Getting these funds out quickly into the community is a top priority so that people can get emergency medical care when they need it most.”
According to DHS, there are 791 Wisconsin-based EMS providers and over 16,000 licensed providers delivering pre-hospital emergency medical care statewide. Over 450 EMS providers are solely volunteer or operating with a combination of volunteers, part-time and full-time staff. To learn more, visit DHS’ Wisconsin EMS webpage at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/index.htm.
To view a full list of grant recipients, visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ems/flex-grant-recipients.htm.