Anchorage, AK - With shrinking budgets EMS Agencies are being asked to do more with less. Therefore, purchasing new technologies such as tablets or laptops along with electronic patient care software is simply out of the question. There has never been any doubt that these technologies will improve the overall efficiency of any EMS Department. This type of technology can and will help increase revenues by providing accurate reports and returning EMT’s or Paramedics back to service quicker. These departments will see more payments from insurance companies, with fewer refusals, due to the accuracy of the software. Most EMS Agencies that have implemented the electronic patient care reporting technology has shown a return on their investment in just less than six months. So how does an EMS department afford to purchase such technology when they have little to no money left in their budgets? There is no question that this presents a chicken or egg type dilemma. Shrinking EMS budgets affect technology companies as well, because without these EMS departments purchasing their new technologies, then they too must face the decision of whether to continue to invent and produce these certain technologies that help save lives and be able to provide a more efficient EMS Department as well. The only option that is left for EMS Departments is Federal, State or Local grants to help subsidize the short falls in their budgets. These grants will not only provide the means for new technologies and equipment, but will also help with shortfalls in payroll so they can continue to operate. Those smaller or volunteer EMS and Fire Departments that do not have the resources to adequately compete against the larger departments, can gain quite a lot by utilizing different types of grants.
Todd Wessels Vice-President of Knowella Technologies explained to us that their new grants service is specifically for EMS Departments. “By helping these smaller, volunteer and even the larger departments receive any type of grant money, is a win-win situation for everyone involved. We will provide this free service to an agency that decides to purchase any of our technologies. If an agency so desires to utilize their grant funding in other ways, Knowella Technologies will take a small percentage of the awarded amount.”
So how are grants important to your department?
The word “Grant,” is a broad term for any of the Federal, State, Local and Corporate programs available to assist State and Local Governments, Nonprofit Social Service Groups and Community Based Organizations. Getting professional assistance can take many forms, including direct funding, loans, surplus government equipment and other resources.
Most people think grants are “free money”, but individual grant programs have strict prerequisites and eligibility requirements that must be satisfied by any organization. You must also consider that the number of funding requests, usually far outweigh the available funds of a particular grant program.
It is important to recognize that a considerable amount of research and planning will be essential in order to submit a strong application. While the overall strength and completeness of your application will certainly increase your odds of success, sometimes even the strongest of applications fail to achieve funding. Disheartening as this may be, an attitude of unwavering persistence often times pays off. This is important when choosing to either submit a grant yourself or to let a professional that is versed in submitting grants and has a greater chance of being awarded. Most grant programs have specific eligibility requirements and are often intended to provide funding for a particular operational area of your department. Careful grant research will ensure that your department’s project meets any or all of the program requirements. By utilizing a service like the grants division at Knowella, they can help you in understanding the exact requirements that each grant has specified.
If any EMS Department is interested in getting started in finding out more about Knowella’s Grant Writing Services, you may contact Knowella Technologies at 1-855-Knowella (1-855-566-9355) or email them at info@knowella.com.