Oklahoma Ambulance Association also known as OKAMA

PROJECT PURPOSE

The Oklahoma Ambulance Association is requesting $39,500,000 in ARPA Funds to award to prospective and active Essential Personnel, Oklahoma EMTs and Paramedics that currently work for or will commit to work for Licensed Ground Ambulance Services. In addition, ARPA funds will be used to establish a standardized retirement program to enhance what is offered to our essential emergency responders so that they can elect to remain in the vital service of EMS as a full career. State of Oklahoma requires all licensed EMS to use licensed personnel to staff their units. Oklahoma EMTs attend the equivalent of a 16 week course, approximately a college semester to qualify for licensure. Nearly every EMS requires additional training including advanced vehicle and emergency vehicle operations. Oklahoma Paramedics complete approximately 4 college semesters to qualify. They too will experience additional training in their first two years at most EMS. Continuing Education requires 48 to 72 hours of qualified Continuing Education each two years.

EVIDENCE

OKAMA plans to use the OSDH OKEMSIS database, the database of EMS activity in Oklahoma. All licensed Emergency Ground Ambulance Services, EMS, are required by statute to submit data to the State through OKEMSIS. The data includes multiple data points about each response, including the Medics (including EMTs and Paramedics) that were involved with the 9-1-1 call. Through Open Record Requests, OKAMA can acquire the information it will need to administer (verifying work activity) and to measure improvement, the increase of medics working in the Ground Ambulance Services. OKAMA will work to survey what is current retirement options offered to EMS personnel. OKAMA will use that information to develop a prototype program. OKAMA will use its network and resources to educate the benefits of a standardized retirement and use funds to help initiate programs that will benefit EMS personnel.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

OKAMA plans to use the OSDH OKEMSIS database, the database of EMS activity in Oklahoma. All licensed Emergency Ground Ambulance Services, EMS, are required by statute to submit data to the State through OKEMSIS. The data includes multiple data points about each response, including the Medics (including EMTs and Paramedics) that were involved with the 9-1-1 call. Through Open Record Requests, OKAMA can acquire the information it will need to administer (verifying work activity) and to measure improvement, the increase of medics working in the Ground Ambulance Services.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

OKAMA will constantly monitor multiple methods to show improvement, - Reducing the unfilled EMS Staffing positions - Increasing the number of licensed Paramedics and EMTs that are committed to working for Emergency Ground Ambulance Services in consideration of the subsidized education and training. OKAMA will use at least - Twenty to twenty-five randomly selected licensed services, representative of the different sizes and structures of EMS in Oklahoma. These licensed services will agree to provide data regarding their staffing and vacancies. - OSDH databases of licensed Paramedics and EMTs. OKAMA will gather, compare and analyze quarterly information for changes, improvements in the number of available licensed personnel.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding