July 22, 1999

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- Dr. John R. Lumpkin, state public health director, today announced that $200,000 in grant funds has been awarded to four regional ambulance services to improve the delivery of health care in rural and medically underserved areas.

The following regional ambulance services and their providers received grants:

• Alexander-Pulaski Regional Ambulance System Board, which oversees the Alexander County Ambulance Service, Cairo, and Pulaski County Ambulance Service, Mound City, $50,000. This system also received grants in fiscal years 1997 ($40,000) and 1998 ($40,000).
• Brown, Pike, Schuyler Regional Ambulance District, which includes the Brown County Ambulance Service, Mount Sterling; Pike County Ambulance Service, Pittsfield; and Schuyler County Ambulance Service, Rushville, $50,000. Grants were awarded to this service in fiscal years 1996 ($33,334), 1997 ($40,000) and 1998 ($40,000).
• Jersey/Calhoun Regional Ambulance Board, which oversees the Calhoun County Ambulance Service, Hardin, and the Jersey County Ambulance Service, Jerseyville, $50,000. The service has received grants each fiscal year since 1994 (FY 1994, $112,700; FY 1995, $50,000; FY 1996, $33,333; FY 1997, $40,000; FY 98, $40,000).
• Pope/Hardin Regional Ambulance Board, which includes the Pope County Volunteer Ambulance Service, Golconda, and the Hardin County Ambulance Service, Rosiclare, $50,000. This is a new regional ambulance service.

Grant funds 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 can be used to defray the cost of starting a regional ambulance service or to help maintain an existing ambulance service.

Funds are used to offset operational expenses of a newly established regional ambulance service, to consolidate ambulance service providers into a regional ambulance service, to train employees and volunteers, and to establish telecommunications for a regional ambulance service.

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

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments