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KAPA
schedules meetings in Washington, D.C.
By
Mark Harrison
KAPA Secretary
Benton
—
Representatives
of the Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association will travel to
Washington D.C. to meet with Kentucky's U.S. Delegation.
Meetings have been confirmed for March 15 and 16 with Sen. Bunning,
Sen. McConnell, Rep. Whitfield, Rep. Chandler, Rep. Lewis, Rep.
Rogers, Rep. Davis, and Rep. Northup. This is an opportunity
to sit down and explain specific problems and shortfalls. It
is also a great way to thank them for their past support. We
have seen improvements in some areas of EMS over the past several
months and I believe those changes are a direct result of our
meetings in Washington last year. For example, language in
the most recent Homeland Security Grant application was a bit more
friendly toward EMS. For the first time, stand-alone EMS
agencies are eligible to apply for the 2005 Fire Act Grant.
Also, EMS is being actively recruited to participate in the
regional HRSA committee meetings and is eligible for HRSA funding.
These are significant steps forward for an industry that is far
behind many other first responder and public safety groups with
respect to DHS funding. It has been reported that
nationally, EMS has received less than 4% of the funding awarded
to first responders.
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