TxDOT grant funds EMS training in rural, frontier areas of Texas

COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service(TEEX) has received approval for 2016 funding under the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) EMS Education Grant to provide emergency medical services training in rural and frontier areas of Texas.

The $469,000 EMS Education Grant originates from funding to the state from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The goal of the grant is to improve accessibility of training and increase the number of EMS-trained personnel to better serve these areas, which often have limited access to quality pre-hospital care and emergency medical response.

Communities and local fire departments submit applications to TEEX for funds to support reduced-cost classes. The EMS Education Grant covers initial EMS training, refresher courses, continuing education courses and instructor training, said Jennifer Harding, Project Coordinator with TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute.

TEEX has received the grant since FY2008, and last year, provided funding for 46 classes that trained 751 students through more than 65,000 student contact hours.

“The majority of the classes last year were for Emergency Medical Responder, but we worked together with VFIS of Texas to provide two Emergency Vehicle Driving classes for Sterling County EMS after they suffered a tragic loss of personnel as well as equipment in a crash,” Harding said.

Learn more about the program and view a map of counties eligible for the funds.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Brian Blake, TEEX Communications Director
[email protected]
PH: 979-458-6837, Cell: 979-324-8995

Will Welch
[email protected]
PH: 979-458-6979, Cell: 979-220-2840