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  One way Ohio uses revenue from seatbelt violations is to use the fines to fund grants for emergency medical services. The Ohio Department of Public Safety awards four types of grants based on their priority levels. The department's EMS Board budgeted $4 million for the four programs for its 2009-10 grant cycle. At the federal level, government offices such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture offer grants--mainly targeted at fire departments--that EMS programs can use.
  
  

Equipment and Training

• The Ohio Department of Public Safety awards grants as its first priority to EMS agencies needing to pay for equipment, vehicles, training and any other expenses that will help departments improve their quality and accessibility. The state issues grants to reimburse expenses; it does not give the money in advance. The department will reimburse purchases within 45 days of receiving invoices.
  
  Grants Administration
  
  Ohio Division of EMS
  
  1970 W. Broad St.
  
  Columbus, OH 43223
  
  800-233-0785
  
  ems.ohio.gov
  
  

Injury Prevention

• The second priority for grants from the ODPS is funding for research and education related to the causes, effects and nature of traumatic injuries as a way to better prevent them. The department had $350,000 available for the grants during its 2009-10 budget year.
  
  Grants Administration
  
  Ohio Division of EMS
  
  1970 W. Broad St.
  
  Columbus, OH 43223
  
  800-233-0785
  
  ems.ohio.gov
  
  

Rehabilitation, Retraining and Reemployment

• Third-priority EMS grants from the ODPS go toward research, testing and evaluation projects involving the rehabilitation, retraining and reemployment of trauma victims or social support services for them. The department allocated $200,000 for the grant program for the 2009-10 round of funding.
  
  Grants Administration
  
  Ohio Division of EMS
  
  1970 W. Broad St.
  
  Columbus, OH 43223
  
  800-233-0785
  
  ems.ohio.gov
  
  

ODPS Trauma Medical Procedures

• The ODPS' fourth priority for its EMS grants goes to research, testing and evaluation involving medical treatment for trauma victims. The department budgeted $100,000 for its 2009-10 awards.
  
  Grants Administration
  
  Ohio Division of EMS
  
  1970 W. Broad St.
  
  Columbus, OH 43223
  
  800-233-0785
  
  ems.ohio.gov
  
  

FEMA Grants

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency awards a set of grants for fire departments that can apply to EMS projects. Assistance to Firefighters Grants can toward equipment and vehicles purchases, and Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants can go toward hiring and training department personnel. Departments can receive hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover the expenses related to each program. FEMA also offers two other grants that apply more toward fire fighting operations--Fire Prevention & Safety Grants and Station Construction Grants.
  
  U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  
  FEMA
  
  800 K St. NW,
  
  Washington, DC 20472
  
  866-274-0960
  
  www.firegrantsupport.com
  
  

USDA Grants

• Fire departments and other EMS agencies in rural Ohio can receive grants specifically targeted toward small communities from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development office. The department's Community Facilities' grants can cover rural towns and counties' costs, up to 75 percent, for new public structures or vehicles, such as ambulances. Any communities with 20,000 people or fewer are eligible.
  
  USDA Rural Development
  
  Room 205-W
  
  1400 Independence Ave., SW
  
  Washington, DC 20250
  
  202-720-4581
  
  www.rurdev.usda.gov