WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell’s (MI-06) Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Reauthorization Act to extend funding through fiscal year 2028 for SIREN Act grants to rural fire and EMS agencies nationwide. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced and passed the companion bill in the Senate. The legislation will now head to the President’s desk for signature.  

The funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) goes toward supporting rural EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment.

“First responders work overtime, in many cases risking their lives, to protect us. This is especially true in rural communities across Ohio where we are feeling the effects of nationwide EMS shortages,” said Congressman Joyce. “I am proud to see this critical legislation head to the President’s desk to address staffing shortages, upgrade training, and improve access to equipment for rural first responders. Americans who live in rural parts of Ohio and across the country deserve access to these lifesaving emergency medical services.” 

“Emergency medical services agencies play a critical role in every community across our country. They respond to all kinds of crises – often risking their own safety – and work around the clock to keep Americans safe,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “I am glad our SIREN Reauthorization Act has passed the House to ensure EMS agencies have the support they need to recruit and train a strong EMS workforce and safely respond to the emergencies they face.” 

“The National Rural Health Association applauds Rep. Dave Joyce (R-OH) for his introduction of the Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Reauthorization Act. This important legislation will reauthorize the program through 2028 and modify grant use to train EMS personnel on caring for individuals in a behavioral health crisis. This bill will increase access to EMS care for residents in rural communities,” said Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Health Association. 

“NAEMT applauds Rep. Debbie Dingell and Rep. David Joyce for taking the lead on introducing the SIREN Reauthorization Act in the House. This bill would reauthorize the SIREN Act grants for another five years (2024-2028).  EMS agencies and fire departments across the United States are facing crisis-level challenges in recruiting and retaining personnel and maintaining their operations. Inadequate reimbursements compounded by increased costs of medical supplies, medications, fuel, and continued supply-chain delays in obtaining ambulances and other emergency response vehicles, are crippling even the most well-resourced EMS agencies.  This important legislation will provide much needed funding opportunities to rural EMS agencies and fire departments,” said President of NAEMT, Susan Fisher Bailey, MSEM, NRP. 

“I thank Senators Durbin and Collins and Representatives Joyce and Dingell for taking the lead in preserving this important program,” said Fire Chief Josh Waldo, President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. “Over the past five years, rural EMS has had to face a number of challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid epidemic, declining budgets, and the many recruitment and retention issues facing the nation’s fire and emergency service. The SIREN grant program throws a lifeline to these agencies as they struggle to serve our communities.” 

BACKGROUND 

A decline in primary care and hospital service availability, workforce shortages exacerbated by the pandemic, and great distances between health care facilities have all strained rural EMS agencies. At the same time, EMS agencies today are tasked with ever-greater responsibilities— preparing for natural and manmade disasters and bioterror threats, supporting the chronic and emergency care needs of an aging population, and responding on the front lines of the opioid epidemic. Complicating matters further is the reality that, according to the National Rural Health Association, over 50% of rural EMS agencies are staffed by volunteers, who regularly have to raise their own funds to keep their doors open. According to the Paramedic Foundation, over 60% of EMS Administrators in Ohio reported having an open position that they were unable to fill for over 6 months or more. These first responders are often the only health care providers in their area and face difficulty in personnel recruitment and retention, and securing expensive equipment. 

Groups that have endorsed the legislation include: the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association, the International Association of Fire Fighters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, the National Rural Health Association, the National Volunteer Fire Council, and the National Fire Protection Association.