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Commission authorizes application for rural health-care transformation funding, including paramedicine and vehicle connectivity
Summary
County EMS staff sought authorization to apply for the federal Rural Health Care Transformation program; the proposal would target paramedic training, technology/Starlink connectivity on ambulances, and equipment over a five‑year funding window, with a four‑year service commitment for program-supported paramedics.
Justin Needles explained a new federal five‑year Rural Health Care Transformation funding opportunity and asked the commission to authorize a competitive application focused on improving rural EMS capacity. He said the program supports three tracks — rural paramedicine, innovation and technology, and training — and that Utah received a statewide allocation; a portion was being targeted to rural EMS. Justin said the county would consider applying for paramedic training, Starlink connectivity for ambulances paid through grant funds for five years, and equipment to improve field capability. "Under that grant, if we pay for a paramedic program, they do require any paramedics going through that that we pay for commit to a 4 years with us," Justin said.
Justin indicated he had not set a final dollar amount for the county's application and that the federal notice of funding opportunity was expected in early July. Commissioners voted to authorize him to submit an application once the official funding opportunity opens. The authorization does not bind the county to accept awards or commit non‑grant funds.
