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Rich County EMS urges commissioners to prepare needs assessment for RHTP funding
Summary
Rich County Emergency Manager Joey Stocking told commissioners the federal Rural Health Tele‑Program (RHTP) funding could support Starlink connectivity, paging and dispatch upgrades, AEDs and training — but the county should fund or secure a professional EMS needs assessment (quoted cost ≈ $50,000) to maximize competitive funding eligibility.
Rich County Emergency Manager Joey Stocking briefed the commission on Utah’s federal Rural Health Tele‑Program (RHTP) funding and urged the county to plan for a professional EMS needs assessment to position the county for the competitive grants.
Stocking said Utah expects a multi‑year flow of RHTP resources and that a needs assessment is either required or strongly recommended to capture the full share of funds for rural health and EMS projects. "This is 50 million coming from the federal government ... it's a five‑year infusion of money," Stocking said, describing potential uses including Starlinks for ambulances to improve canyon connectivity, AEDs and stop‑the‑bleed kits for deputies, paging system replacement, improved medical dispatch software and a training facility.
He outlined three assessment options: a specialized EMS consultant ("our most expensive option" — around $50,000), a lower‑cost general consultant, or an in‑house assessment that risks bias and lower quality. "If we don't do a needs assessment, then we will not get the full amount with this grant that we potentially could," Stocking warned.
Commissioners discussed likely funding sources, timeline, and whether the state Bureau of EMS would cover needs‑assessment costs. Stocking said the Bureau of EMS is watching Rich County’s effort and that some state offices are receptive to supporting assessments. Commissioners expressed support for pursuing grant opportunities for dispatch upgrades and paging systems.
Stocking said the needs assessment would evaluate both ambulance operations and dispatch and could include sheriff's office response considerations; a professional firm would typically spend a week on site, review buildings and equipment and interview staff. He and staff said they had reached out to a consultant used by nearby Grand County and were awaiting a formal quote.
The commission asked staff to stay in touch with Stocking and to evaluate funding or matching options if the state does not cover the assessment. No formal county commitment or appropriation was requested at the meeting.
Next steps: EMS will seek consultant quotes, monitor state guidance on RHTP eligibility for needs assessments, and report back; county staff will consider matching or other funding options if needed.
