02/01/2010 MT Department of Transportation Implementing EMS Grant Program
House Bill 85, which allocated $1 million / year to volunteer EMS services for purchase of ambulances and equipment, was passed by the 2009 legislature and signed by the Governor. (download a pdf of HB85 here). Key elements of this bill include:

• services in which a majority of their EMTs are volunteer (>50%) are eligible
• a service must have been licensed for more than 12 months and must bill for services at least equivalent to the medicare billing level
• Services will be required to submit a 10% cash match to any grant request
• grants are available for equipment for training, communications and providing patient care.
• 5% ($50,000) of the funds are held for emergency replacement or repair of an ambulance

MT DOT has published proposed rules for implementation this statute. (download the proposed rules here). Key elements of these proposed rules include:

• Rule I provides for several definitions
• Rule II specifies a ranking system for determining successful grants
• Rule III describes reasons for not allowing a grant and an appeal process for unsuccessful grants
• Rule IV clarifies the 5% emergency fund
• Rule V clarifies that ambulances purchased under this grant must meet DPHHS licensing specifications. It also states that MDT will develop forms for reports they will be requiring.
• MDT has published the rules and does not contemplate that a public hearing is needed. If less than 12 persons request a public hearing to express their views or comments, these rules will be adopted March 26th.

On February 5th, Jim Lynch, Director, MT DOT will provide an update on the EMS grant program at the MEMSA refresher in Helena. A summary of his presentation be provided afterwards to others who will not be attending this session.

01/20/2010 AED Grant Application Deadline February 15
The two-year federal grant to assist rural communities to develop their public acccess defibrillation programs will be ending February 15, 2010. The emphasis of this grant program will be to support public access defibrillation programs in schools, senior centers or other public locations in rural/fronter communities. Community applications for an AED award and training assistance are available here.

Entities who are awarded a grant will be required to complete the AED MOU before receiving an AED or funding for training. Feel free to contact Kevin Fitzgerald for questions or further information at: kfitzgerald@mt.gov or 444-6098

09/13/09 EMSTS launches Learning Management Sofware with Introduction to Broselow Tape
LearningZen.com is a free web-based learning management system that allows companies, organizations and individuals to publish training courses to the general public. The free version is easy to use and open to everyone.

http://mtemergencycare.learningzen.com The EMSTS section has secured a private portal for the distribution of programs for healthcare providers, service managers, trauma coordinators and others. This electronic learning management system is free, but requires an initial registration and approval the first time you enter the system. Future plans include production of programs for the OPHI data systems, EMS Service Manager education, Trauma Coordinator education, pan flu and others. We would also be happy to include programs you already have on hand that you feel would be of use to others.

Ambulance Services – Get Your Free Broselow Tape
An introductory program, “Color Coding Kids with the Broselow Tape” is now available for basic-level EMS providers. This program teaches the history and use of the Broselow Tape. Services that document that over half of their EMTs have completed this program can receive a Broselow Tape for each of their ambulances. Click Here for a pdf form to document participation in this program.

More EMS News