The Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) offers competitive funding through their Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF) Program. RSAF is a matching grant program that is open to governmental, volunteer, non-profit EMS organizations, and non-licensed EMS agencies located in Virginia. The program typically requires a 50% local cash match. The primary goal of the RSAF program is to provide financial assistance in order to purchase EMS equipment, vehicles, and to provide for needed EMS programs and projects.
As a licensed EMS agency, the Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management (FREM) would like to submit a grant application requesting $8,000 in grant funds to purchase needed active shooter medical kits for FREM personnel. The equipment will be carried on Battalion Chief and EMS Supervisor vehicles. In the event of an active shooter incident or mass casualty incident the equipment will be taken from those vehicles and issued to providers operating on the scene.
If awarded, the grant would require a local match of $8,000. If awarded, FREM anticipates that they can absorb the local match from their FY 2019 Adopted Budget. The grant application deadline is September 15th. If awarded funds, the award period will run from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.
It is anticipated that the annual ongoing costs associated with this request is approximately $1,000. This amount will cover replacement consumable supplies used on calls and in training.
In addition, OEMS has revised their online grant application system. The system requires individuals to be designated as authorized agents to act on the County’s behalf in the application and management of RSAF grants. The attached resolution will enable several individuals to act on the County’s behalf.