Minnesota Ambulance Association

Uniformed Services University Partners with NHTSA to Improve Post-Crash Survival on Highways

19 Dec 2025 9:19 AM | Anonymous

Uniformed Services University Partners with NHTSA to Improve Post-Crash Survival on Highways

Prehospital Blood Transfusion to be the Main Focus

The Uniformed Services University (USU) in Bethesda, Maryland, through its National Institute for Defense Health Cooperation (NIDHC), is partnering with the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to save lives on America’s roadways with prehospital blood transfusions.

USU has signed an Interagency Agreement with NHTSA aimed at supporting improvements in emergency medical services, 911, and post-crash care. This joint effort between USU’s NIDHC and NHTSA’s Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) will improve motor vehicle post-crash survival rates while advancing our Nation’s medical readiness for other events in which trauma patients may require more robust prehospital care.

As NHTSA’s Chief Counsel, Peter Simshauser, indicated in his Road to Zero Annual Meeting remarks, “We know how critical post-crash care is to survival. Research shows that prehospital blood transfusion decreases mortality among trauma patients with severe bleeding by 37%. So, we’re partnering with the Department of War. This partnership will launch the largest federally-sponsored prehospital blood transfusion project ever undertaken, with the aim to create at least 25 new prehospital blood transfusion programs throughout the country in the next three years.”

Over the next several years, NIDHC and OEMS will facilitate the development of prehospital blood programs at sites across the U.S. Ultimately, this work will provide a clear path to greater and faster access to blood transfusion at the scene of a crash and to improved post-crash care on all of our Nation’s roadways.

The program will leverage NIDHC’s Joint Disaster Medicine and Public Health Ecosystem, which is composed of leading medical, academic, and research institutions from across the nation.

“This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that the Departments of War and Transportation work together to translate lifesaving innovations from the military to the civilian medical community,” NIDHC Executive Director Dr. Jeff Freeman said. “NHTSA has a history of leaning forward in this way and countless lives have been saved because of it.”

”NHTSA’s Office of EMS and National 911 Program appreciate the partnership of NIDHC,” said Gamunu “Gam” Wijetunge, Director of NHTSA’s OEMS. “The resources and support for this effort will advance prehospital blood transfusion ⎯ a proven clinical intervention ⎯ and reduce the number of lives lost after a motor vehicle crash.”

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MedPAC Releases 2025 Medicare Payment Basics Series

19 Nov 2025 9:32 AM | Anonymous

Payment Basics is a series of brief overviews of how Medicare’s payment systems function. The Commission produces Payment Basics as a resource for policymakers and others to better understand how Medicare pays for health care services.

https://www.medpac.gov/document-type/payment-basic/

Funding Opportunity: Apply Now for the "Earn While You Learn" Training Grant

11 Sep 2025 8:25 AM | Anonymous

September 8, 2025

Applications Now Open –

Earn While You Learn Grant Program

Attention Ambulance Services:

We’re excited to announce that applications are officially open for Minnesota’s “Earn While You Learn” training grant program!

The 2025 legislature has allocated $2 million to help ambulance services hire and train new EMTs—so your service can bring in fresh talent while they earn their certification.

This is a competitive grant program, and applications are due Friday, October 17, 2025, by 4:00 p.m. CT. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your workforce and strengthen your community’s EMS response.

Visit the AST&S Grant Page for full eligibility requirements, application details, and deadlines.

Key Dates

Action	Date / Time (CT)
Applications	Open Now!
Grant Applicant Conference (virtual)	Monday, October 6, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Written questions due	Wednesday, October 8, 2025, 12:00 p.m.
Application deadline (online only)	Friday, October 17, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
Pre-award risk assessment	November 2025
Award notifications/execution	December 2025

Questions, email us at finance.oems@state.mn.us.

OEMS 2025 Cost Collection Survey Notice

26 Aug 2025 9:40 AM | Anonymous

August 25, 2025

OEMS 2025 Cost Collection Survey Notice

Ambulance Service Managers:

Minnesota Law 62J.49 requires the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) to maintain a financial data collection system for ground ambulance services licensed in Minnesota. We have made some adjustments to our data collection tool since the 2023 reporting cycle, but we have continued efforts to make the tool as easy to use as possible, while still collecting all the items required by law.

A memo with general guidance is below, the memo includes instructional documents and a link to the survey. All information must be submitted electronically via the online form.

All GROUND ambulance services are asked to complete the Cost Collection Survey by November 21, 2025.

If you have questions, please contact either your assigned EMS Specialist or Dylan Ferguson by email at dylan.ferguson@state.mn.us

2025 Cost Collection Survey Memo

Thank you,

Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services

NHTSA Launches New Resource Giving Emergency Responders Easy Access to Electric Vehicle Information

21 Jul 2025 12:33 PM | Anonymous

EMS News

Comprehensive resource for ERGs and rescue sheets available

As part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ongoing commitment to supporting first responders with timely and accurate information to enhance public safety, emergency responders have quick and easy access to electric vehicle (EV) Emergency Response Guides (ERGs) and rescue sheets through a new resource available on the NHTSA website.

Explore New Resource

Key features include:

Comprehensive Access: Emergency responders can quickly find and download ERGs and rescue sheets for EVs from all manufacturers.
Historical EV Files: Historical emergency response files for EVs have been transferred from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) website to NHTSA’s new platform.
Transition Away from NFPA Site: The NFPA will discontinue its ERG portal, and NHTSA’s new page will serve as the primary resource for these materials moving forward.

For further information or assistance, please contact James Myers at james.myers@dot.gov.

Standing Together in the Wake of Tragedy

14 Jun 2025 11:38 AM | Anonymous

To Minnesota Ambulance Association Members,

We are heartbroken by the devastating and senseless act of violence that took place last night, claiming the lives of Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and injuring Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who remain in stable condition.

These elected leaders have been longtime advocates for stronger communities. We have had the honor of working alongside them in advancing public safety and supporting Minnesota’s EMS professionals. Their dedication to service was deeply felt — and will not be forgotten.

As members of the EMS community, we know all too well the pain and shock that violent incidents like this bring — not just to families and colleagues, but to entire communities. We stand in unwavering support of our fellow first responders and law enforcement officers as they investigate and respond to this tragedy.

We also ask our members — particularly those operating in the surrounding area — to remain alert, stay safe, and continue reporting any suspicious activity to authorities.

Please join us in keeping the families of Speaker Hortman and Senator Hoffman in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Minnesota Ambulance Association

02 JUNE Legislative Update

2 Jun 2025 6:54 PM | Anonymous

MAA Members,

The legislature adjourned the regular session on May 19^th with kind of an uneventful close to the evening. They had only finished a few budget bills and 11 of the bigger ones including HHS Finance rolled over to what will be a “Special Session” that only the Governor can call. Over the last few weeks, we have been hanging around the Capitol providing technical support to legislators as they move to a position of leadership agreement. Just the other day the Health Finance bill which contain the EMS provisions released a signed and agreed to budget spread sheet. This spreadsheet only shows the funding and not the actual language. That language will be released closer to the Special Session. Below is what is in the Health Finance bill agreed to that we expect will be agreed to and passed during Special Session.

Here is quote Blois Olson a reporter had this morning: SESSION: “According to multiple sources the two biggest sticking points for calling a special session are the tax bill and a bonding bill. The DFL Senate caucus met for two hours Sunday which revealed a clear divide among members including leaders, and Chairs. The tax bill, which was agreed to on Friday lacks support from tax chairs and the bonding bill will require some serious negotiations from the Senate. Multiple legislators, including DFLers expressed a need for more engagement and weight of support from the Governor. Ultimately, it would seem compromise on bills that have bipartisan support could garner enough votes to pass, however legislators from the edges of the right and left remain barriers. The soonest a special session would be is likely Friday”.

Provisions in the Health Bill Spreadsheet:

They funded $16 million a year for EMS Rural Sustainability available until 2029.
Our bill to expand access of the EMR/EMT training to all ambulance services not just volunteer was included with an additional $400,000 for the next two years for a total of $800,000
The Ambulance Training Grants was funded at $2 million dollars and the money is available until 2029
The uncompensated care pool was funded for the next two years at $4,291,000 a year for two years for a total of $8,582,000
The rate increase was not funded. That was lost in the conversation around increasing the HMO surcharge and what’s happening at the Federal level.
Also, they did eliminate the broker prohibition and went to a statewide broker for Non- Emergency Medical Transportation. This is an area we will need to monitor closely

So, overall, with the legislative session ending with no budget deals and the pending Special Session the MAA agenda around workforce and funding continues to be supported at the legislature. My rough math shows that we secured close to $27,500,000 of funding the next two years of the budget. That’s a total of $62 million into EMS the last 3 years.

I want to extend a special thanks to the MAA Board, Legslative Committee and most importantly Samantha and Mark who turn our updates and documents around quickly so the work can be done at the Capitol. Also, Erik Simonson and the Coalition of Greater MN Cities has been an amazing partner in this work, and I look forward to continuing that relationship.

We will have a more detailed update once the Special Session takes place and we see the final language.

Sincerely,
Buck McAlpin, Lobbyist

We can prevent Minnesota ambulance services from flatlining

13 May 2025 8:10 AM | Anonymous

In the final days of the legislative session, lawmakers must act to shore up EMS services — especially in rural areas.

by Michael Juntunen and Becca Huebsch05/09/2025

When you call 911, you expect help to arrive — fast. You expect trained professionals to show up with the equipment and expertise to save lives. But that expectation is at risk across Minnesota, especially in rural communities, because our emergency medical services (EMS) system is being pushed to the brink.

Between the two of us — one leading the Minnesota Ambulance Association and the other directing Perham Area EMS — we’ve both seen up close just how strained ambulance services are across the state. The time for action is now. As lawmakers finalize the state budget in the final days of the 2025 legislative session, they must prioritize sustainable EMS funding. Without it, lifesaving care will be at risk in more communities across Minnesota.

Read the full article on MN Post

MAA Press Conference | House/Senate Press Conference 4/8/25

11 Apr 2025 10:30 AM | Anonymous

FY25 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) NOFO Now Open

3 Apr 2025 2:14 PM | Anonymous

FY25 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) NOFO Now Open

Applications are due Thursday, June 26, 2025

The Department of Transportation (USDOT) has released the FY25 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants. The estimated $900 million in SS4A funding will provide resources for regional, local and Tribal initiatives focused on preventing roadway deaths and serious injuries. Applications for Planning and Demonstration Grants and Implementation Grants are due Thursday, June 26, 2025, by 5:00 PM ET.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of EMS encourages EMS agencies and 911 centers to apply for funding independently or collaborate with local, regional, health, planning or transportation partners.

Apply Now

USDOT will host a series of webinars to review components of this year’s NOFO. Visit www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A for the webinar schedule, additional information on how to apply and frequently asked questions.