By Eric Scicchitano
The Daily Item
HARRISBURG, Pa. — The application period opened this month for a grant program designed to help build out Pennsylvania’s emergency medical services workforce.
A pilot program created by lawmakers in 2022 debuted this summer as an EMS summer camp for high school students to explore potential career opportunities. More than 50 students learned about emergency medical services in three different programs sponsored by EMS providers, a hospital and a career and technical center.
Lessons included responding to incidents of cardiac arrest and drug overdose, offering hands-on training and collaborative learning with other students overseen by professionals.
A combined $150,000 in grants is now available to accredited EMS schools and higher education institutions not owned by the Commonwealth. The grants will be split evenly three ways with the goal of hosting a program in the eastern, central and western parts of Pennsylvania.
The program is open to students who are at least in the ninth grade. Participating organizations partner with public and private schools to offer the opportunity.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said the award winners would determine how many students ultimately are accepted.
“Emergency medical services professionals are an essential part of the health care system,” Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen said. “Having a well-trained and dedicated EMS professional arriving at your door 24/7 in an emergency is a safeguard all Pennsylvanians deserve. The Shapiro-Davis administration is committed to helping people enter this vital profession.”
A portion of Pennsylvania’s Fireworks Tax funds the pilot program. Lawmakers directed the allocation of a combined $1.5 million for the program, which is currently set to last for four years.
The application period opened on Sept. 13 . Deadline is Oct. 16 . The application and additional information can be found at PA — eMarketplace (state.pa.us).
In announcing the grants, the Shapiro administration highlighted the inclusion of $20.7 million in last year’s budget increasing “mileage rates for ambulance services, protecting access to health care and ensuring that EMS workers and first responders are properly reimbursed for the critical care they provide.”
According to the Department of Health , volunteers must be at least 16 years old to apply for EMS certification after completing required courses and passing a certification examination. For more information on EMS educational programs, visit the FAQ page within the EMS portion of the Department of Health’s website at www.pa.gov.
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