The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a $5.4 million grant program for rural emergency medical services (EMS). The applications are due by February 14. 

The Rural EMS Training Grant (also known as the “SIREN” grant) program is designed to help rural EMS agencies recruit and train EMS personnel with a particular focus on addressing mental and substance use disorders. The program is limited to fire-based or non-fire-based rural EMS agencies operated by local or tribal governments and non-profit EMS agencies. The is no local match requirement. Grants are limited to $200,000 per year. 

Grantees are required to: 

• Train EMS personnel to maintain relevant licenses and certifications. 
• Conduct courses that qualify graduates to serve in an EMS agency. 
• Fund training to meet federal or state licensing or certification requirements. 
• Ensure that EMS personnel are trained to care for people with mental and substance use disorders in emergency situations. 
• Acquire EMS equipment (as approved by SAMHSA). 
• Purchase Naloxone and train EMS personnel to respond to emergency opioid overdose situations.  

Eligible IAFC members are encouraged to review the grant announcement and Notice of Funding Opportunity to apply for these grants. 

Ken LaSala is the IAFC’s Director of Government Relations and Policy. 

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a $5.4 million grant program for rural emergency medical services (EMS). The applications are due by February 14. 

The Rural EMS Training Grant (also known as the “SIREN” grant) program is designed to help rural EMS agencies recruit and train EMS personnel with a particular focus on addressing mental and substance use disorders. The program is limited to fire-based or non-fire-based rural EMS agencies operated by local or tribal governments and non-profit EMS agencies. The is no local match requirement. Grants are limited to $200,000 per year. 

Grantees are required to: 

• Train EMS personnel to maintain relevant licenses and certifications. 
• Conduct courses that qualify graduates to serve in an EMS agency. 
• Fund training to meet federal or state licensing or certification requirements. 
• Ensure that EMS personnel are trained to care for people with mental and substance use disorders in emergency situations. 
• Acquire EMS equipment (as approved by SAMHSA). 
• Purchase Naloxone and train EMS personnel to respond to emergency opioid overdose situations.  

Eligible IAFC members are encouraged to review the grant announcement and Notice of Funding Opportunity to apply for these grants. 

Ken LaSala is the IAFC’s Director of Government Relations and Policy.