Cabarrus County accepts $298,158 and $99,235 grants to expand community paramedicine and nitrous-oxide pain management

Cabarrus County commissioners on July 6 approved two grants aimed at expanding emergency medical services: a $298,158.19 award under the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Act to create an EMS captain role overseeing community paramedicine, and a $99,235 Canon Foundation grant to equip ambulances with nitrous oxide for prehospital pain management.

Chief Jimmy Wentz described the Rural Health Transformation grant as a multi-year, renewable award (anticipated through 2029) that will fund an EMS captain position, equipment and one-time vehicle purchases. Wentz said the grant has a 90-day implementation requirement and asked the board to suspend the rules so the program could start promptly. "This will just give us two weeks back so we can get this going," he said. The board voted to suspend rules and accepted the grant; the chair recorded the vote as carrying 5-0.

On the Canon Foundation award, EMS staff explained that nitrous oxide is self-administered by patients and is effective and safe in prehospital settings. Staff said the initial equipment cost explains the approximately $99,235 grant amount and that ongoing costs should largely be offset by reduced opioid use in the field. "It is self administered by the patient, so they can't overdose on it," staff said. The board also suspended rules and accepted the Canon Foundation grant by voice vote (5-0).

Both items were presented as time-sensitive: staff requested rule suspensions to meet training and procurement schedules. The EMS captain position will provide direct supervision of community paramedics currently managed under broader chief responsibilities. Staff said subsequent years' grant amounts are expected to be lower after initial purchases.

Next steps: staff will implement hiring or assignment for the EMS captain position, order equipment and vehicles per grant guidelines, and schedule training for nitrous oxide use.