Important Facts for DHHS Support for Local Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Definition

Total dollar amount of grants awarded to EMS Agencies throughout the state by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness (OEMSP).

Numerator

Total dollar amount (fiscal year ending 30 June) of grants awarded to either rural or urban EMS Agencies by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness.

Denominator

Total dollar amount (fiscal year ending 30 June) of grants awarded to EMS Agencies by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services Office of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness.

Why Is This Important?

Provision of high-quality emergency medical care requires that standards for equipment, training of personnel, and medical care be maintained and followed. Local communities lack the revenue base required to fully support necessary activities. State support for local EMS improves statewide access to prompt emergency medical services.

How Are We Doing?

During FY2021, 128 agencies either applied for per capita grants and/or the rural EMS competitive grant. This rural grant became available from a bill that passed the legislature. Funding however for both grants had to be cut because of COVID-19. During FY 2020, 131 agencies were awarded grant funds. Many EMS agencies struggle with the costs of life-saving medical equipment. Each year local EMS agencies assisted in securing operational and supplemental funding so they may provide adequate emergency medical services within their communities.

What Is Being Done?

A surcharge on criminal fines and forfeitures in Utah helps to provide funding for the maintenance of high-quality emergency medical services. Also in FY2021, legislation was passed for funding of a competitive grant designated for rural EMS in the state.

Health Program Information

During FY09, the EMS Grants Program was cut $1,000,000 by the Legislature. Therefore, the grants to EMS agencies were half of their original amounts. During FY10, the Legislature cut the high school training program by $300,000 and changed legislation to only fund EMS agencies in rural areas and cities in urban areas with a population of 10,000 or less. They also cut $500,000 for urban counties. This money was taken out of the Bureau of EMS General Funds and office expenditures are now funded from the Grants Program. For FY11, all EMS grants were per capita grants (competitive grants were not awarded) to not exclude any Utah EMS agencies. For FY12 and FY13, EMS grants were divided evenly between per capita and competitive grants. For FY14, $1,250,000 were divided evenly between per capita and competitive grants; $75,000 in unspent grant funds from FY13 were added to the competitive grants. For FY15, EMS grants totaled $677,732 and were divided to 33% in per capita grants and 66% as competitive grants. The EMS grant awards amounts have declined as collections from fines and forfeitures have declined. For FY16, EMS grants totaled $692,884 and were all per capita grants. Unfortunately, funding has remained stagnant as fines and forfeitures have remained the same. For FY17, EMS grants totaled $899,074. All agencies that applied were awarded funds for CME use. The increase was due to un-expended funds carried over from FY16. For FY18, EMS grants totaled $750,000. All funds were awarded to all agencies that applied through per capita funding. For FY19, EMS grants totaled $700,000. All funds were awarded to all agencies that applied through per capita funding. For FY20, EMs grants totaled $700,000. All funds were awarded to all agencies that applied through per capita funding. For FY21, EMS grants totaled $2,270,645. $477,350 was awarded with the per capita grant plus $50,000 more given from a federal grant for PPE. $1,743,295 was awarded to rural EMS agencies from the new legislation. For FY22, EMS grants totaled $2,648,100. $556,101 was awarded with the per capita grant. $2,091,999 was awarded to rural EMS agencies. For FY23, EMS grants totaled the same amount as FY22 with the exception of all unspent funds from FY22 were added to the per capita grant funds per legislative rule.