Service Area Strategic Plan
11/23/2009   4:28 am
Department of Health (601)
Biennium: 2008-10
Service Area 1 of 1
Financial Assistance for Non Profit Emergency Medical Services Organizations and Localities (601 402 03)
Description

This service area includes Rescue Squad Assistance Fund Grants, Financial Assistance to Localities to support Non Profit Emergency Medical Service (EMS) agencies, and funding provided to support the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads (VAVRS). These items support the effective integration of personnel, transportation, communications, facilities, and education and training into a unified system that provides quality emergency medical care, thereby decreasing morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization. A comprehensive statewide system of emergency medical care offers an incentive for business and industry considering locating in the State.
Background Information
Mission Alignment and Authority
  • Describe how this service supports the agency mission
    This service area directly aligns with the Virginia Department of Health’s mission of promoting and protecting the health of Virginians by reducing death and disability resulting from sudden or serious injury and illness in the Commonwealth. This is accomplished through funding support to non profit EMS agencies and localities in the development of a comprehensive, coordinated statewide emergency medical services (EMS) system to provide the highest quality emergency medical care possible to those in need.
  • Describe the Statutory Authority of this Service
    The Office of EMS is mandated by Virginia Code § 32.1-111.3 to coordinate a Statewide emergency medical care system. This section of the Code identifies 17 specific objectives that must be addressed.

    § 32.1-111.12 establishes the Virginia Rescue Squad Assistance Fund. The majority of this service area consists of funding provided through this grant process. These funds assist and support eligible EMS agencies in securing training, equipment and supplies.

    § 32.1-111.12:01 establishes a committee, appointed by the State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Advisory Board, to review and make recommendations for funding.

    § 46.2-694 provides that the EMS system is to be funded through a $4 surcharge on motor vehicle registration fees that is earmarked for EMS, commonly referred to as “Four for Life”. This section establishes a funding formula for the distribution of funds and specifies the purpose and use of funds. These funds also support VAVRS in providing training to eligible EMS agencies and personnel.
Customers
Agency Customer Group Customer Customers served annually Potential annual customers
Citizens of the Commonwealth 7,400,000 7,488,800
EMS agencies (non profit & municipal agencies eligible for funding support) 648 654
EMS providers 33,711 34,048
Localities 134 134
Virginia Assoc. of Volunteer Rescue Squads 1 1

Anticipated Changes To Agency Customer Base
The establishment of Emergency Medical Service agencies is dynamic and dependent upon the consent of local governments. Some local governments are increasingly encouraging the establishment of EMS agencies in their communities by investigating and funding government combination agencies that are staffed by local government employees during the day and by community volunteers at night. This effort is increasing in rural areas as the availability of volunteers becomes more limited. There is anticipated growth in the number of agencies staffed by governmental employees and volunteers to approach 10% in the next two years.

The demand for EMS providers will continue to grow to meet the estimated 12% population growth through 2010. The pool of 16-34 year old volunteers is decreasing and there is a decreasing trend in people volunteering due to other contraints and commitments. EMS agencies, particular volunteer agencies with higher turnover, will need to continue to develop new leaders who are competent to manage a changing and challenging environment and the complex issues of managing an EMS agency. Volunteers will be more dependent on career support for answering calls and managing the day-to-day operations. With the changing demographics of Virginia, leaders will need to be trained in dealing with a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds and issues. The Office of EMS will experience an increase in demand for technical assistance services and funding related to recruitment and retention of EMS personnel.
Partners
Partner Description
[None entered]
Products and Services
  • Factors Impacting the Products and/or Services:
    FOUR FOR LIFE FUNDING

    In FY02, funding under this program increased from $2 per vehicle registration to $4 per vehicle registration to support EMS.

    The FY02-FY04 Biennium Budget retained the increase in funds to support other Commonwealth general funded initiatives.

    In FY05, the additional funding under this program was partially distributed for EMS purposes; however $3.45 million was retained in the general fund for other purposes, and $1.04 million was set aside to support the Virginia State Police Air medevac mission.

    In FY08, all funding under this program will be provided, except for the $1.04 million set aside to support the Virginia State Police medevac mission.

    PERCENT DISTRIBUTIONS AS ESTABLISHED IN § 46.2-694 OF THE CODE TO TAKE EFFECT IN FY08:
    32% Rescue Squad Assistance Fund Grants
    26% Return to Localities
    2% Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads
    10% Department of Health, EMS
    30% State Department of Health for EMS training programs; advanced life support training programs; recruitment & retention of volunteer EMS personnel; system development, communications and emergency preparedness and response; and regional EMS councils.
  • Anticipated Changes to the Products and/or Services
    Change in the RSAF regulations to allow for the funding of new or innovative projects through the RSAF grant program:

    To meet statewide critical needs especially in EMS training, communications equipment and programs; computers, emergency management, retention of EMS providers.

    To meet the 17 objectives identified in § 32.1-111.13 of the Code.
  • Listing of Products and/or Services
    • Financial Assistance to Localities for Non Profit EMS agencies provides non-supplanting funds to support training, equipment and supplies to eligible non profit EMS agencies and organizations within their jurisdiction. Annually, funds are transferred to the locality based upon the fees collected within that jurisdiction. The locality’s comptroller must report on the use of these funds.
    • Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grants support training and equipment to eligible non profit EMS agencies and organizations. The grant application process and award criteria are established in regulations with two distinct grant cycles each year.
    • VAVRS funding is to be used solely for the purpose of recruitment, retention and training activities for volunteer EMS personnel and agencies. Funding is provided through quarterly payments, and § 32.1-111.13 requires VAVRS to submit an annual financial report on the use of its funds to the State EMS Advisory Board.
Finance
  • Financial Overview
    Section 46.2-694 of the Code of Virginia provides that the EMS system is to be funded through a $4 surcharge on motor vehicle registration fees that is earmarked for EMS, commonly referred to as “Four for Life”. This section establishes a funding formula for the distribution of funds and specifies the purpose and use of funds. The current funding distribution for this service area is:

    32% Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grants
    26% Return to Localities
    2% Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads
    10% Department of Health, EMS

    The remaining 30% is allocated to the VDH Office of EMS for various purposes intended to develop and maintain a statewide coordinated EMS system.
  • Financial Breakdown
    FY 2009    FY 2010
      General Fund     Nongeneral Fund        General Fund     Nongeneral Fund  
    Base Budget $0 $30,054,605    $0 $30,054,605
    Change To Base $0 $0    $0 $0
               
    Service Area Total   $0  $30,054,605     $0  $30,054,605 
Human Resources
  • Human Resources Overview
    [Nothing entered]
  • Human Resource Levels
    Effective Date      
    Total Authorized Position level Ø    
    Vacant Positions Ø    
    Current Employment Level 0.0    
    Non-Classified (Filled)    
    Full-Time Classified (Filled)    breakout of Current Employment Level
    Part-Time Classified (Filled)    
    Faculty (Filled)    
    Wage    
    Contract Employees    
    Total Human Resource Level 0.0   = Current Employment Level + Wage and Contract Employees
  • Factors Impacting HR
    [Nothing entered]
  • Anticipated HR Changes
    [Nothing entered]
Service Area Objectives
 
  • Provide balanced and sound financial support for EMS.
    Objective Description
    The Commonwealth provides direct financial assistance for emergency medical services through a $4 surcharge on motor vehicle registration. These funds are to support the provision of training and education of EMS personnel, the purchase of EMS equipment and supplies and, to support local government EMS operations.
    Alignment to Agency Goals
    • Agency Goal: Provide strong leadership and operational support for Virginia's public health system.
    • Agency Goal: Collaborate with partners in the health care and human services system to assure access to quality health care and human services.
    • Agency Goal:
    • Agency Goal:
    Objective Strategies
    • Develop and monitor regional and state priorities for funding of EMS programs and services through effective use of RSAF Program.
    • Coordinate and conduct bi-annual RSAF grant awards.
    • Provide technical assistance and monitoring of Return to Locality funds.
    • Provide technical assistance to VAVRS in use of funds and review of annual financial report as required in code.
    Objective Measures
    • Percentage of funds collected and distributed as defined in § 46.2-694 of the Code.
      Measure Class:
      Other
      Measure Type:
      Input
      Measure Frequency:
      Annual
      Preferred Trend:
      Maintain
      Measure Baseline Value:
      100
      Date:
      6/20/2006

      Measure Baseline Description: Percent

      Measure Target Value:
      100
      Date:
      6/30/2010

      Measure Target Description: Percent

      Data Source and Calculation: Return to Locality funds are based upon the registration of motor vehicles within a given locality. A percentage, as defined in Code, is then distributed back to the locality. VAVRS funding is as defined in Code. The measure for RSAF is calculated based upon the amount of funding available as defined in Code. Grants are awarded based upon criteria established in regulations.


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