SPRINGFIELD, IL – Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, today announced grants totaling $200,000 have been awarded to four regional ambulance services to improve the delivery of health care in rural and medically underserved areas.

The following four regional ambulance services each received $50,000:

• Alexander-Pulaski Regional Ambulance Board, which oversees the Alexander County Ambulance Service, Cairo, and Pulaski County Ambulance Service, Mound City.
• Brown/Pike/Schuyler Regional Ambulance District, which oversees the Brown County Ambulance Service, Mount Sterling; Pike County Ambulance Service, Pittsfield; and Schuyler County Ambulance Service, Rushville.
• Jersey/Calhoun Regional Ambulance Board, which oversees the Jersey County Ambulance Service, Jerseyville, and Calhoun Volunteer Ambulance Service, Hardin.
• Pope/Hardin Regional Ambulance System Board, which oversees the Pope County Volunteer Ambulance Service, Golconda, and Hardin County Ambulance Service, Rosiclare.

Established in 1994, the grants are awarded to ambulance services that cover two or more counties with a combined population of less than 20,000 or that are in the same emergency medical service region or shortage area. The grants are based on need and may be used to defray the cost of starting a regional ambulance service or to help maintain an existing ambulance service.

Funds may be used by a regional ambulance service to offset operational expenses, to consolidate ambulance service providers, to train employees and volunteers, and to establish telecommunications.

Regional ambulance system boards comprise at least three members from each ambulance service. Members are appointed by the head of their county boards.