EMS Resource Toolkit

Resources

Welcome to the Oregon EMS Resource Toolkit! Listed below are resources specifically designed to meet the needs of EMS agencies and fire departments. The EMS Resource Toolkit is updated frequently. If you have questions or would like to provide details for additional resources, please visit the Contact Us page.

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American Ambulance Association
Tools for learning about reporting cost data to CMS.
American Ambulance Association Billing Webinars
CMS 1135 Waiver Information
CMS Ambulance Service Center
EMS1 Billing Services
Collection of information and resources for researching billing services including available grants, insurance and policy updates, administrative assistance, and agency management programs.
Medicare Claims Processing Manual
Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System FAQs
Medicare Ground Ambulance Data Collection System Quick Reference Guide
Model Disclosure Notice Regarding Patient Protections Against Surprise Billing
Oregon Medicaid Billing Manual
Oregon Rural Volunteer EMS Provider Tax Credit
Credit will sunset December 31, 2026

Tip: If you have questions or are unsure about certain billing practices it may be helpful to reach out to billing managers at other agencies in your region or join associations such as the Oregon State Ambulance Association, American Ambulance Association, Special Districts Association of Oregon, etc. who have billing resources available to their members.

Community Education

When should I call 9-1-1?

9-1-1 Tips & Guidelines
Do's and Don'ts of 9-1-1
Frequently Asked Questions
Kids 9-1-1
Right Call Card: English | Spanish | Russian | Simplified Chinese | Traditional Chinese | Vietnamese
When to Call 9-1-1: English | Spanish | Chinese | Korean | Russian | Somali | Ukrainian | Vietnamese | Large Type - English

Community Paramedicine

Advances in Community Paramedicine in Response to COVID-19
Community Paramedic Program
Ways to bring community paramedicine to your area.
International Roundtable on Community Paramedicine
Explore the promotion and improved delivery of health care through the utilization of traditional and non-traditional models of care, including community paramedicine. Subscribe to Newsletter
Rural Community Ambulance Agency Transformation Toolkit
Assess rural EMS agency readiness in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, community partners, data, operations, workforce and more.
Rural Health Information Hub Community Paramedicine
Comprehensive topic guide and toolkit that includes emerging practices and resources for starting a rural community paramedicine program.

Community Resources

Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon
Oregon Department of Human Services
Benefits and services for children, families, older adults and people with disabilities.
Oregon Family-to-Family Health Information Center
Oregon HomeCare Commission Registry and Referral System
Rural Community Health Toolkit

General

CPR Savers Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Grant Program
Covers all or part of the costs associated with purchasing an AED. Deadline: rolling
Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program
Nonfederal organizations may obtain personal property that the federal government no longer needs. Deadline: rolling
Recommended Essential Equipment for Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support on Ground Ambulances

Pediatric

Oregon EMS for Children (EMSC) fulfills need-based pediatric equipment requests, such as pediatric backboards and restraint systems. Contact Rachel Ford at rachel.l.ford@oha.oregon.gov or 971-673-0564. The following will be mailed upon request to all EMS agencies and fire departments:

Communication Cards: The cards are for children with special needs. They support better care for patients who are young age, nonverbal, speak a language not known by the EMS providers, or have other communication needs. Each card has an image with an associated word, and they represent items that are commonly communicated to patients.
Pediatric Assessment: laminated resource sheets with resuscitation, burn, vital signs, GCS, APGAR, and SpO₂ patient care information. Includes Velcro strips so that they can be attached to interior of emergency vehicles.
Do each of your licensed ground ambulances have the required two (2) commercially manufactured arterial tourniquets?

Training

High-Performance CPR Manikins: borrow a high-performance CPR manikin for a defined time period. Contact:

Milton Freewater Rural Fire Department: 541-938-7146
84629 Eastside Road Milton Freewater, OR 97862
La Pine Rural Fire Protection District: 541-536-2935
51550 Huntington Road La Pine, OR 97739

Funding Databases

EMS1
First Responders Grants Blog
Grants and application tips for all disciplines of first responders. Subscribe to Blog
Grants.gov
Centralized location to find and apply for federal funding opportunities, and also includes grant application learning tools.
Health Resources & Services Administration Rural Health Funding Database (HRSA)
Oregon Community Foundation Grants and Scholarships
Oregon Office of Rural Health Grants and Scholarships
Rural Health Information Hub Funding and Opportunities
Federal, state, and foundation opportunities including EMS and other related topics. Subscribe to Newsletter
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Grant Database (SAMHSA)
United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development First Responder Funding

Grants

Columbia Gorge Health Council
Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program in Oregon
Provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas.
Critical Access Hospital and EMS Partnered Improvement Project Grant
Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization (EOCCO) Grants
Elder Service Innovation Grants
Funding for organizations to create or enhance services for elders, to help them age in place in rural Oregon.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program
Funds critically needed resources to equip or train emergency personnel, protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and other hazards, enhance efficiencies, increase capacity, and support community resilience. Deadlines: variable
Firehouse Subs First Responder Grants
Funding areas include lifesaving equipment, prevention education tools, scholarships and continued education, disaster relief, and support for members of the military. Deadlines: quarterly
FM Global Fire Prevention Grant Program
Fire prevention, preparedness, and control efforts, including pre-incident planning, fire prevention education and training, arson prevention, and fire investigation. Deadlines: March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31
Gary Sinise Foundation
Hearst Foundations
Health grants focused on institutions providing high-quality healthcare for low-income populations. Deadline: rolling
HOWTO Grant Program
Oregon Office of Rural Health Helping EMS in Rural Oregon (HERO) Agency Training Awards
Funds help rural and frontier EMS volunteers pay for their training. Deadline: variable
Roundhouse Foundation
Ensuring sustainability and economic success for Oregon's rural communities. Deadlines: twice annually
Rural EMS Training Grant
The purpose of this grant is to recruit and train EMS personnel in rural areas with a particular focus on addressing mental health and substance use disorders.
The Ford Family Foundation Grants
Funding areas include unexpected needs, simple projects, building internal capacity, development of community spaces such as fire halls, and community building. Deadline: rolling
USDA Community Facilities Programs
Walmart Community Grant Program
Grants range from $250 to $5,000 to support local-level nonprofit organizations. Deadline: rolling

Scholarships

National Rural EMS & Care Conference Scholarship
Annual conference occurs in April. Nominate an EMS provider to attend.
Oregon National Association of EMS Physicians Scholarship
Scholarships for Oregon-licensed rural EMS providers to help cover costs of educational events. Deadline: at least 60 days prior to event
Oregon State Ambulance Association and Oregon Department of Transportation Oregon EMS Conference Scholarship
Tuition and one night's lodging for the Oregon EMS Conference. Deadline: approx. 2 months before Oregon EMS Conference
TR Hilton Memorial Scholarship for Oregon EMS Conference
Two night's lodging for the Oregon EMS Conference. Deadline: approx. 2 months before Oregon EMS Conference

Initial Education

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR): course application and approved EMR training agencies
Emergency Medical Technician through Paramedic education: EMS provider community colleges
For questions about educational rules, submit them through the Contact Us page.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of EMS
National EMS Education Standards and National Standard Curriculum.
Oregon EMS Psychomotor Skills Lab Manual

Continuing Education

AirLink training for EMS agencies and hospitals on any topic. Contact Kristin Lingman at 971-727-6333
Bound Tree University
Online accredited continuing education courses for EMTs and Paramedics.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) TRAIN
Comprehensive public health training opportunities - many are free and offer continuing education credits.
Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE)
List of accredited EMS continuing education courses in Oregon and nationally.
EMS Live@Nite
Free live, interactive virtual courses meet requirements set under the NREMT NCCP model. Courses offered at least twice a month.
FEMA Emergency Management Institute
Get Trained to Help
Free, virtual live mental health, mental health first aid, and suicide prevention trainings.
Heartland EMSC Coalition Symposiums
Life Flight Network offers free training for EMS agencies and hospitals on any topic. Contact Casey Schein at 503-572-7495
National Association of EMS Educators Webinars
National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians Education Programs
National Registry of EMTs
OHA EMS & Trauma Systems Program continuing education PowerPoint presentations and other instructional tools.
Contact Leslie Huntington at Leslie.D.Huntington@oha.oregon.gov.
Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training
Oregon Fire Chiefs Association Resources
PeaceHealth EMS Education
REACH Air Medical Services training for EMS agencies and hospitals on select topics and dependent on participants. Contact Margaret Franklin at 916-921-4066
Recognition of Child Abuse Training Modules
University of Colorado School of Medicine free training modules to assist with the recognition of child abuse.

Pediatric Simulations

CrewCare
Free mobile app designed to address mental health needs of first responders.
Get Trained to Help
Free, virtual live mental health, mental health first aid and suicide prevention trainings.
Healthcare Provider Mental Health and Crisis Support Resources
The Healthcare Provider Mental Health and Crisis Support webpage offers helplines, ready-to-use tools, webinars, and other resources to support physical and mental health.
Mental Health First Aid for Fire & EMS
For information, contact Kate Hubbard at hubbarka@ohsu.edu or 503-494-5225.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Education and Support Programs
Free programs that help to raise understanding, reduce stigma, and give people hope and concrete resources for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call 9-8-8 24/7 for free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, and best practices for professionals.
National Volunteer Fire Council Helpline: call 1-888-731-3473 24/7 for confidential help designed to meet the needs of firefighters, EMTs, rescue personnel, and their families.
Stress Management for Providers
The Stress Continuum

Oregon Resources

National Resources

List of National EMS Agency Protocols
Maine EMS Pre-Hospital Care Protocols
NASEMSO National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines
Comprehensive, evidence-based prehospital care clinical guidelines intended to help state EMS systems ensure a more standardized approach to the practice of patient care.
National EMS Quality Alliance EMS Quality Measure Set
In addition to NEMSQA's measure set, explore their Measure Development Process, and sign up for measure update webinars.
New Hampshire Department of Safety Bureau of EMS Advanced Life Support Patient Care Protocols
Prehospital Guidelines Consortium Evidence-Based Guidelines

2019 National EMS Scope of Practice Model
2021 National EMS Education Standards
EMS Policies and Procedures Guidebook
Comprehensive guidebook for the development or revision of organizational policies, procedures, and processes.
National Conference of State Legislatures EMS Legislative Database
Up to date, real-time information about enacted EMS legislation in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

3RNET
Post or search for health professional position listings, including EMS in rural and underserved communities.
EMS Leadership Academy Blog
Minnesota Department of Health EMS Recruitment and Retention
National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of EMS
Reports, research studies, provider resources, workforce safety and more to strengthen the EMS workforce.
Oregon Fire Recruitment Network
Help recruit and retain firefighters and emergency responders.
Oregon Rural Volunteer EMS Provider Tax Credit
Credit will sunset December 31, 2026
Special Districts Association of Oregon Recruitment Resources
Sustainable Rural EMS: Navigating Change
Guide designed to assist in creating more sustainable volunteer EMS and ambulance service models in rural communities.
Virginia Department of Health EMS Workforce Retention Toolkit

Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center
Technical assistance, tools, and training to assist healthcare providers and organizations with telehealth programs.
Oregon Office of Rural Health COVID-19 Telehealth Policies Interactive Story Map
Resource that organizes the federal and state telehealth policy implications of the CARES Act, Oregon 1135 waiver and Oregon Health Plan temporary administrative orders, as well as payment and external organization resources, webinars, start-up guides and more.
Telemedicine Framework for EMS and 911 Organizations
In-depth guide to telemedicine program design concepts and considerations, as well as suggestions for identifying potential strategic community partnerships for program development.

EMS Resource Toolkit

Resources

Billing Resources

Community Resources

COVID-19 Resources

Equipment

Funding

Initial and Continuing Education

Mental Health Resources for First Responders

Patient Care Guidelines

Policies and Procedures

Quality Improvement

Recruitment and Retention

Telemedicine