Project Grant H79TI084692

MICHIGAN SUPPORTING AND IMPROVING RURAL EMS NEEDS (MISIREN) - THE MISIREN PROJECT WILL PROVIDE TRAINING FOR RURAL FIRST RESPONDERS IN 49 RURAL COUNTIES IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF THE LOWER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN, THE UPPER PENINSULA, AND THE REGION COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE THUMB. EASTERN HURON AMBULANCE SERVICE HAS CHOSEN TO PARTNER WITH THE MICHIGAN RURAL EMS NETWORK (MIREMS) AND THE NORTHERN MICHIGAN FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION (NMFCA) 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 TWO SAFER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION IMPLEMENTATION GRANTS AWARDED IN DECEMBER 2019 AND 2021. 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 NEWLY DEVELOPED SUD CURRICULUM AND IMPLEMENT CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THE MISIREN PROJECT WILL TRAIN A TOTAL OF 175 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, 2023 RECRUIT 75 INDIVIDUALS FOR PARTICIPATION IN EMT COURSES WITH 60 SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING PROGRAMS, PASSING THE NATIONAL REGISTRY EXAM AND OBTAINING EMS LICENSURE. GOAL B: INCREASE THE CAPACITY OF THE PREHOSPITAL MEDICAL SYSTEM. OBJECTIVE B-1: BY DECEMBER 31, 2022 INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES FOR TRAINING OF FIRST RESPONDERS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SYSTEM CHANGES. OBJECTIVE B-2: BY AUGUST 29, 2023, 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, 2023, REDUCE STIGMA AND BARRIERS TO TRAINING RELATED TO CRITICAL STRESS, MENTAL HEALTH, AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.