The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2009 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Guidance on the AFG Website. The application period began on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Applications for these grants must be received by Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide approximately $510 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country. AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to purchase or receive training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

An applicant tutorial is available through the www.firegrantsupport.com website. The tutorial provides you with valuable grant information and will walk you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the funding priorities and evaluation criteria. Applicants who have questions regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grants opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov. During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (EDT), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume and demand.

Follow the link below to view the frequently asked questions (FAQ) on the Firefighters Grant website.

http://www.firegrantsupport.com/afg/faq/09/faq_emer.aspx

The EMS Expo and Conference had so much fun with their first photo contest in 2008 that they decided to do it again this year!

The grand prize winner receives TWO (2) 3-day conference program packages, 3 night hotel stay and one $500 travel voucher to attend EMS EXPO, Oct. 28-30, 2009 in Atlanta, Ga. Five finalists will each receive $50 VISA gift cards!

The deadline for entry is Sept. 18, 2009. Click here to visit the conference Web site for details.

Policy and application revisions have been completed and the Arkansas Ambulance Association is pleased to once again accept applications for EMT and paramedic scholarships. To obtain an application and program guidelines, click on the links below.

• ARAA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
• ARAA SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES

FALL 2009 COURSES… Applications due by JULY 10, 2009

For ArAA EMS Scholarship Program information or questions, please contact

Donald Shull, Chairman
ArAA EMS Scholarship Program
1115 S. Benton St.
Searcy, AR 72143

PHONE: (501) 268-2353
FAX: (501) 268-7026

e-mail: donald@northstarems.us

11 EMS professionals honored at State Capitol

2009 Stars of Life(click to enlarge)

Recently, the Arkansas Ambulance Association held its fifth annual “Stars of Life” celebration in Little Rock.  “Stars of Life” is a special recognition program conducted by the Arkansas Ambulance Association in cooperation with the American Ambulance Association. On Thursday, February 26, 2009, eleven individuals from across the state gathered in Little Rock for a day of activities designed to recognize their heroic and commendable actions as part of the emergency medical services (EMS) system. Each “Star” was recognized in a ceremony held at the State Capitol. Honorees and their sponsors spent the day learning more about the state’s EMS system, visiting with key stakeholders, industry leaders, and law makers. The Stars were introduced and honored at a luncheon and returned to the Capitol where they were introduced in both the Senate and House Chambers. NAEMT National President Pat Moore also attended the luncheon.

The 2009 Stars of Life honorees include:

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Don’t miss the Arkansas Ambulance Assocation’s 2009 Provider Education Conference April 22-23 at the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock. Take advantage of a special opportunity to brush up on your documentation skills in a half-day Precon Workshop on April 21.

Learn from top industry experts and network with others who face the same challenges you face each day! Guest speakers include EMS attorney Doug Wolfberg and Dr. Bryan E. Bledsoe, author of such EMS textbooks as Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice, Paramedic Emergency Care, Prehospital Emergency Pharmacology, Anatomy and Physiology for Emergency Care and many others.

Who Should Attend?

• Ambulance service directors and administrators
• Billing center professionals
• Finance and collections managers
• EMS Supervisors & Operations Directors
• Compliance Officers
• QA, HR, and others who manage key business functions

Click here to download the full conference brochure.

Clinton, Miss. — The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) board of directors has approved a position statement on air medical transport safety.

NAEMT is very concerned about and wanted to address the unacceptable and increasing rate of accidents, injuries and deaths occurring in the air medical transportation industry. Since 2000, many scientific papers and reports — published by agencies and organizations such as the U.S. Government Accountability Office, National Transportation Safety Board, Annals of Emergency Medicine, Congressional Research Service and the Air Medical Physicians Association — have identified numerous air medical safety issues and have recommended solutions. However, none of these solutions have been implemented to date by either the federal government or the industry.
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