PEMS will be presenting a RSAF Grant Workshop on 30 August, 2018 at 6:00 at the PEMS office.
We will be prepared to discuss the grant writing and grant submission processes, VDH and OEMS priorities for this grant cycle, and we will give agencies the opportunity to have individual grants reviewed prior to submission.
Individuals or agencies wishing to participate, please click here to RSVP. Please provide name, agency, phone and email information so we can confirm your attendance.
Fall 2018 RSAF Grant Cycle is Open!
The financial assistance for Emergency Medical Services Grants Program, known as the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (RSAF) Grant Program is a multi-million dollar grant program for Virginia non-profit EMS agencies and organizations. Items eligible for funding include EMS equipment and vehicles, computers, EMS management programs, courses/classes and projects benefiting the recruitment and retention of EMS members.
The Fall 2018 RSAF grant cycle is open from 1 August to 17 September, 2018.
Items eligible for funding include EMS equipment and vehicles, computers, EMS management programs, courses/classes and projects benefiting the recruitment and retention of EMS members. The General Fund has the least restrictions and the most funds available. If your grant request doesn’t fall in one of the following categories then it belongs under general. The Office of EMS has developed several initiatives including:
The RSAF grant program is now web-based and no longer requires a software download. For more information, please see the Office of EMS website at: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/emergency-medical-services/administration-finance/rsaf-grants-program/
The deadline for submitting your grant, affirmation page and quote(s) to the Office of EMS is September 17, 2018 at 5 P.M.
As always, PEMS will offer assistance to agencies in preparing grant requests and is willing to preview grant requests. Contact us at 804-693-6234 or click here to email a request for assistance.
1951 – 2018
The Peninsulas EMS Council region lost an EMS leader when Curtis S. Mason, Sr. passed away on 6 July, 2018.
Curtis was a strong proponent of EMS in his community and in our region. Over his career, he served with Central Virginia Ambulance Services and Richmond Ambulance Authority before founding the Mattaponi Volunteer Rescue Squad in 1995, where he served as president and chief officer until his retirement in 2017.
He was active in the greater PEMS region through his work on regional EMS committees, assisting agencies in purchasing equipment and ambulances and by providing counsel and advice to all.
Curtis’ life continues to be an example to us all of selfless duty and responsibility to our neighbors and our community. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We will miss him greatly.
Clarification to Change 2 of the PEMS Protocols
There has been some confusion regarding the recent change to the PEMS Regional Patient Care Protocols, Policies & Procedures. This change involved two areas of the protocols:
Item 1: The window for transport of RACE positive stroke patients was extended from 6 to 24 hours. This change impacted the following protocols:
Item 2: In response to an anticipated shortage of Dopamine, and the large quantity of our supply expiring on 30 June, 2018, PEMS Medication Kits may not be stocked with any of this medication. Norepinephrine (Levophed) has been added to the Medication Kits to provide an alternative medication for hypotension that is not related to trauma. This change impacted the following protocols:
Please note that Norepinephrine has only been approved for use in non-traumatic hypotension in this emergent change. Epinephrine remains the secondary medication for treating hypotension for cardiac conditions and is also an acceptable substitute for Dopamine for non-traumatic hypotension.
Emergent changes to PEMS Regional Patient Care Protocols, Policies & Procedures are not taken lightly. We understand that they place a significant burden on agencies and providers to provide just-in-time training to providers. When our medical directors concur that an emergent change is necessary to provide proper care to our citizens however, we will act quickly to produce and publish the changes. We are continuing to improve this process and we greatly appreciate the input of our constituent agencies and providers in ensuring that the final product is clear, concise and accurate.
Please update your In-Service Training curriculum to address these changes and ensure that they receive maximum distribution within your organizations.
Thank you.
