TO:	All State Administrative Agency Heads All State Administrative Agency Points of Contact All State Homeland Security Directors
FROM:	C. Suzanne Mencer
	Director
SUBJECT:	ODP Grant Funding Available to Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Since 1997, the Office for Domestic Preparedness (ODP) has provided grant funds to enhance the preparedness of state, urban area and local public safety agencies to prevent, respond to and assist in the recovery from terrorist incidents in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories. One of the public safety disciplines eligible for funding through this program has been emergency medical services (EMS). As part of the Fiscal Year 2004 Homeland Security Appropriations Act (P.L. 108-90), ODP was directed to prepare a report accounting for ODP grant funds provided by states to the EMS discipline, and identifying barriers faced by EMS providers in obtaining more of this funding.

To fulfill this requirement, ODP examined allocations for both the Homeland Security Grant Program and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (formerly administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency). Of the $3.38 billion in funding available in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 through these programs, ODP found that EMS providers received less than 4% of these funds. As part of this report, ODP also worked with the National Association of State EMS Directors (NASEMSD) and the American Ambulance Association (AAA) to survey member organizations and identify possible barriers to the receipt of these funds. These surveys highlighted the need for a greater awareness of ODP programs and policies within the EMS community. ODP will be working with both NASEMSD and AAA over the coming months to implement a number of educational initiatives designed to address these issues.

In addition, ODP would also like to remind states that representatives from the EMS discipline should be integrated into planning efforts and working groups associated with the development and implementation of state and/or urban area homeland security strategies. Further, any EMS agency that is part of the state and/or urban area homeland security strategy and response plan is eligible to receive ODP grant funding.

There are four different categories of activities eligible for funding in the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP): planning, equipment acquisition, training, and exercises. Additionally, through the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) Program, EMS units are eligible to receive funding if the unit falls organizationally under the auspices of the fire department. Although EMS activities are not an independent program area for the AFG in FY 2004, EMS activities have been incorporated into certain activities within the Operations and Firefighter Safety Program. There are five different activities available for funding under this program area: training, equipment, personal protective equipment, wellness and fitness, and modifications to facilities.

A terrorist attack has significant potential to produce large numbers of civilian casualties. The readiness of EMS is vital to ensuring prompt and appropriate emergency care and transportation as a component of the overall response. Therefore, it is essential that EMS agencies receive support and assistance from the states and be integrated into planning efforts and working groups to enhance the overall preparedness of state, urban area and local public safety personnel to prevent, respond to and assist in the recovery from terrorist incidents.

If you have any questions about this or other policy-related issues, please contact your preparedness officer or the ODP Helpline at 1-800-368-6498.