Volunteer Rescue-EMS Fund

The Volunteer Rescue-EMS Fund is administered by the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, a state-level agency responsible for supporting fire and rescue services across North Carolina. Established under North Carolina General Statute 58-87-5, this fund is designed to strengthen the operational readiness and capacity of volunteer-based rescue and emergency medical service providers. The program reflects the state’s commitment to ensuring that communities, particularly those served by volunteer organizations, have access to essential emergency response resources. The primary purpose of the fund is to assist eligible rescue organizations in purchasing equipment and making capital expenditures necessary for delivering rescue and EMS services. Funding may be used for acquiring operational equipment, including advanced life support equipment where applicable, as well as for capital improvements that enhance the organization’s service capabilities. However, certain items are explicitly excluded from funding consideration, including office furniture, administrative equipment such as copiers and fax machines, land purchases, and refurbished or upgraded equipment in specific categories such as SCBAs or communications systems. The program includes both matching and non-matching funding structures. Organizations with cash assets exceeding 1,000 dollars are eligible to apply for matching grants on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with a maximum award of 25,000 dollars. Organizations with cash assets below this threshold may apply for non-matching grants of up to 3,000 dollars. This tiered structure is designed to ensure equitable access to funding for organizations with varying financial capacities while still encouraging local investment through matching contributions when feasible. Eligibility is restricted to rescue providers that are primarily volunteer-based, allowing for no more than ten paid positions. Applicants must be officially recognized by the North Carolina Department of Insurance as a rescue, EMS, or combined rescue/EMS provider. Additionally, organizations must meet the eligibility standards set by the North Carolina Association of Rescue and Emergency Medical Services or the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services. County-level recognition as a service provider is also required, and certification by the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services is necessary for requests involving advanced life support equipment. The application process is conducted through an online portal managed by the Office of State Fire Marshal. All known rescue providers are notified when the application becomes available on August 1. Applications must be submitted electronically by October 1, with no extensions granted. Award announcements are made on December 15, and organizations are prohibited from placing equipment orders prior to this date. Following award notification, recipients must submit invoices and proof of payment through the OSFM24 online portal by April 30 to receive reimbursement or matching funds. Applications are reviewed based on compliance with eligibility criteria and alignment with program objectives. While specific scoring criteria are not detailed, adherence to guidelines and completeness of submission are critical. The program operates on an annual cycle, with consistent timelines each year, and includes provisions for limited invoice extensions under specific circumstances such as delayed delivery of vehicles or protective equipment. Administrative support and program oversight are provided by the Office of State Fire Marshal, which also serves as the primary point of contact for applicant inquiries via phone and official channels.

Do not submit late applications as no extensions are granted; ensure equipment is not ordered before award announcement; comply fully with eligibility and documentation requirements