AEMS Blog

2023-24 Central Arizona Rural
Paramedic Education Funding

AEMS is thrilled to announce the continuation of our Central Arizona Rural Paramedic Education Funding for a second year, made possible through the generous support of the Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System. For more information on the purpose of the funds, eligibility criteria, application process, and important timelines, please refer to the detailed sections below.

PURPOSE:

Arizona Emergency Medical Systems, Inc. (AEMS) has received funding from the State of Arizona to support education efforts which expand paramedics in the Central Arizona rural workforce.

As the largest EMS region, AEMS aims to fully fund the paramedic education of Emergency Medical Care Technician-Basics (EMCT-B). However, the extent of funding for each recipient will vary based on factors such as need, the number of applicants, and the recipient organization's ability to co-finance the education. Thus, some award recipients may only receive partial funding.

It's important to note that the awarded funds are restricted in use. They can only be applied towards specific educational expenses, including tuition, books, and other coursework materials. Furthermore, the funding is exclusively available for the education of current EMCT-B staff members.

Arizona Emergency Medical Systems, Inc. (AEMS) has received funding from the State of Arizona to support education efforts which expand paramedics in the Central Arizona rural workforce.

As the largest EMS region, AEMS aims to fully fund the paramedic education of Emergency Medical Care Technician-Basics (EMCT-B). However, the extent of funding for each recipient will vary based on factors such as need, the number of applicants, and the recipient organization's ability to co-finance the education. Thus, some award recipients may only receive partial funding.

It's important to note that the awarded funds are restricted in use. They can only be applied towards specific educational expenses, including tuition, books, and other coursework materials. Furthermore, the funding is exclusively available for the education of current EMCT-B staff members.

ELIGIBILITY:

Education awards will be distributed to rural Fire Departments/Districts and Transport Agencies for the sole purpose of elevating one of their currently employed EMCT-B candidates to an EMCT-P by funding their paramedic training.

For this funding, rural is defined as those Fire Departments/Districts or Transport Agencies serving the Central Arizona Region in Pinal and Gila Counties. Those Fire Departments/Districts or Transport Agencies serving Maricopa County are eligible if they are not part of the Automatic Aid System. All Tribal EMS providers in the Central Arizona Region are considered part of Rural. Hospitals are not eligible for this funding.

Additionally, we recognize that there are some Central Region Fire Departments/Districts and Ground Transport Agencies that may primarily affiliate with other Regions instead of AEMS. However, this funding is intended for AEMS' affiliated organizations only.

Process

• Completing the Bundled Documentation by December 15, 2023: This includes the Needs Assessment, Terms of Agreement, and the Application. All these documents must be filled out and submitted by the specified deadline. This comprehensive documentation will provide AEMS with the necessary information to assess each organization's needs and readiness for the funding.
• Attending the Funding Priority Distribution Meeting on January 4, 2024: In this critical meeting, applicants will collaborate to prioritize which organizations should receive the funding. This step ensures a collective and transparent decision-making process, allowing for a fair distribution of funds based on evaluated needs and priorities.