Southwest minnesota advancing remote tele-EMS (smart- EMS) proposes to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries for rural residents of southwest MN, by implementing a regional tele-EMS system to…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded Southwest Minnesota E.m.s. Corporation $9,997,062 in project grant funding on April 16, 2026, under the NHTSA Discretionary Safety Grants and Cooperative Agreements program (CFDA 20.614) to implement the Southwest Minnesota Advancing Remote Tele-EMS (SMART-EMS) system.

The project reduces roadway fatalities and serious injuries for rural residents of southwest Minnesota by establishing a regional tele-EMS system that expedites access to definitive trauma care through remote emergency consultation. The system also supports the operational and staffing viability of rural volunteer EMS agencies and health systems.

Southwest Minnesota E.m.s. Corporation, a non-profit organization based in Dawson, Minnesota, is the recipient. Performance occurs in Dawson, Minnesota. The award covers a five-year period of performance from April 16, 2026, through April 15, 2031.

Southwest minnesota advancing remote tele-EMS (smart- EMS) proposes to reduce roadway fatalities and serious injuries for rural residents of southwest MN, by implementing a regional tele-EMS system to expedite access to definitive trauma care and support the staffing viability of rural health system and volunteer EMS agencies.