Project Grant H79TI083828

MISIREN (MICHIGAN SUPPORTING AND IMPROVING RURAL EMS NEEDS) - THE MISIREN PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING FOR RURAL FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF THE LOWER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN, INCLUDING THE THREE COUNTIES IN THE EASTERN UPPER PENINSULA, REGION COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE THUMB, AND NORTHERN LOWER PENINSULA. EASTERN HURON AMBULANCE SERVICE HAS CHOSEN TO PARTNER WITH THE MICHIGAN RURAL EMS NETWORK AND THE NORTHERN MICHIGAN FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION ON THIS PROJECT. THE PROJECT IS AN OUTGROWTH OF A 2019 NEEDS ASSESSMENT FUNDED BY THE STAFFING FOR ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE (SAFER) PROGRAM OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND AN OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH POLICY NETWORK PLANNING GRANT. SAMHSA FUNDING WILL LEVERAGE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY THROUGH A SAFER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION IMPLEMENTATION GRANT AWARDED IN DECEMBER 2019. A SAMHSA TRAINING GRANT WILL HELP FILL THE TRAINING DEMANDS CREATED THROUGH THE SAFER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROJECT AND INCREASE THE COMPETENCIES RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS FOR CURRENT AND NEW EMS PROVIDERS. ADDITIONALLY, WE WILL WORK WITH OTHER EMS AGENCIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN THE CATCHMENT AREA AND REGIONAL MEDICAL CONTROL AUTHORITIES. WE WILL COLLABORATE WITH THE EMS DIVISION OF THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT THEIR NEW SUD CURRICULUM AND IMPLEMENT CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THE MISIREN PROJECT WILL TRAIN A TOTAL OF 150 UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS. THE PROJECT HAS THREE MAIN GOALS: GOAL A: LEVERAGE EFFORTS OF THE FEMA FUNDED RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROJECT TO ENSURE ADEQUATE INITIAL CERTIFICATION COURSES ARE AVAILABLE TO MEET INCREASED DEMAND FOR TRAINING. OBJECTIVE A-1: BY SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 IDENTIFY 10 EMS AGENCIES WITH HIGHEST NEED FOR ASSISTANCE WITH RECRUITMENT AND DEMANDS FOR CERTIFICATION TRAINING. OBJECTIVE A-2: BY MARCH 30, 2022 RECRUIT 75 RECRUITS FOR PARTICIPATION IN EMT COURSES WITH 60 SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING PROGRAMS AND BECOMING LICENSED. GOAL B: INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE PREHOSPITAL MEDICAL SYSTEM. OBJECTIVE B-1: BY DECEMBER 31, 2021 INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES FOR TRAINING OF FIRST RESPONDERS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SYSTEM CHANGES. OBJECTIVE B-3: BY AUGUST 29, 2022, INCREASE PROGRAMS TO MAINTAIN OR EXPAND UPON THE PRACTICAL SKILLS OF EMS PERSONNEL IN RURAL AREAS. GOAL C: INCREASE THE COMPETENCIES OF NEW AND EXISTING FIRST RESPONDERS REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. OBJECTIVE C-1: BY AUGUST 29, 2022, REDUCE STIGMA AND BARRIERS TO TRAINING RELATED TO CRITICAL STRESS, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.