The Fund Finder News
Public Safety Grants Consulting
The Fund Finder News
A Bi-Weekly Grants News and Information Update By Kurt Bradley
Issue 12, October 8, 2004
"Interoperability: Accessing Funding Streams for EMS/Rescue"
When dealing with DHS funds, you may have noticed a word used frequently in almost all their grant applications. That word is "interoperability".
One of the main problems experienced during the WTC 911 incident was a lack of standards and common understanding for how agencies should cooperate. There was confusion over who performed what tasks and, who was responsible for what functions. What was the responsibility of the fire department? The rescue squad? The police?
As previously discussed, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) presented solutions for these problems in the adoption of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS). Another one of the blurrier, more undefined areas is the fine line between EMS/ Rescue Services and Fire Services, especially in regards to funding opportunities for EMS/ Rescue.
EMS Cut Off from Funding Streams
Even though DHS considers EMS/ Rescue operations to fall under Fire Service Operations, there are far fewer federal funding opportunities for standalone EMS/ Rescue squads than there are for Fire/Rescue and for integrated Fire and EMS/Rescue operations. In fact, there is really only one federal grant program that addresses EMS/ Rescue operations: the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP), administered by the US Fire Administration (USFA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Aside from the AFGP, I have seen only two other, smaller-scale programs that fund Ambulance/ EMS/ Rescue operations. One is the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grants. The other is a program run by the US Health Department, which assists in extending emergency medical services into previously under-served areas. This leaves EMS/ Rescue services very few public funding opportunities (other than raising taxes, and we all know how citizens revolt at the thought of raising taxes).
But At Least There's AFGP... Or Is There?
Since the USFA administers AFGP grant money, it stands to reason that they will give this money only to those agencies that are considered fire departments. And that's the catch – if your EMS/ Rescue operation is a standalone and not a direct part of a fire department, you cannot apply for AFGP grant money.
That is the situation for most EMS operations in the U.S. today. Starting about 10-15 years ago, EMS began breaking away from Fire Services. Each became separate entities and organizational agencies. The thinking at the time was that, since firefighting and rescue/EMS work required different levels of education or certification, then it was more appropriate for them to operate separately.
Many of you set up separate rescue squads, both for-profit and non-profit, and began operations. Squads billed directly, either to insurance companies or to the patients themselves, on a per-run basis. Funding also came via taxing authority that was granted to many of these organizations, and from portions of traffic fines that were set aside to pay for EMT training and for EMS operations.
As you have been finding out recently though, running EMS separately from fire departments has resulted in EMS/ Rescue services being locked out of federal funding streams.
Combine, Consolidate, Interoperate
If your department is finding the above true, then you must take actions to regain eligibility for funding opportunities such as AFGP. But how do you do this? What actions should you take? Here are some suggestions:
- Re-think your old philosophies. As mentioned above, interoperability is a big deal to DHS and a requirement for much of their funding streams. How can you combine your efforts with those of other area public safety agencies? How can you better interoperate for the overall good of the communities you serve, and for the public safety network of the USA as a whole?
- Consider consolidating separate entities back into one. Instead of the Grandview USA Rescue Squad and the Grandview USA Fire Department, consolidate these into the Grandview USA Fire & Rescue Squad. This can improve eligibility for fire operations, while plugging EMS/ Rescue services back into eligibility for federal funding stream. You also can continue to provide your citizens with more efficient, cost-effective services, both by having regained access to the federal funding streams and by working more closely with your area departments and squads.
Conclusion
Interoperability is generally improved when two formerly separate command structures are integrated into a seamless, fluid unit. DHS is forcing this issue onto the front burner. Instead of being an oak, standing against the wind only to crack under the strain, we need to become willows and go with the flow.
Departments should consider the overall economic value and functional effectiveness of combining EMS/ Rescue squads and Fire Departments back into one unit with separate divisions. The two units are interdependent upon each other for a wide variety of their functional operability. It is a good practice and one that departments will need to conform to in order to see their departments maintain adequate funding levels.
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