The 2006 Program Guidance states that in order for an EMS organization to be eligible for AFG funding, that EMS organization cannot be affiliated with a hospital. What does "affiliated" mean?
By "affiliated" we mean receiving any kind of direct support from the hospital in the form of funding, facilities, staff, or apparatus. Contracting with a hospital on a fee-for-service basis would not constitute an "affiliation" in the context of this program.
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My EMS organization is co-located with the city fire department. Can we apply as a nonaffiliated EMS organization?
If your non-affiliated EMS organization does not report to the fire chief and your organization has its own discretionary budget, the non-affiliated EMS organization is eligible to apply for the AFG program even though they are co-located with the fire department.
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Can an independent rescue squad or emergency medical services unit apply?
Yes. Ambulance services, rescue squads, are eligible to apply for assistance in FY 2006. However, auxiliaries, dive teams, urban search and rescue teams, fire service organizations or associations, and State/local agencies such as a forest service, fire marshal, hospitals, and training offices are not eligible for this program.
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Can a fire department buy EMS equipment or obtain EMS training?
Fire departments can apply for EMS training and EMS equipment within the training and equipment activities under the Operations and Firefighter Safety Program. Ambulances, however, are not eligible within this program area. All vehicles, regardless of function, must be requested in the Vehicle Acquisition Program.
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Do nonaffiliated EMS organizations have to report to NFIRS?
No, nonaffiliated EMS organizations are not required to report to NFIRS.
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The grant program prohibits "for-profit" organizations from applying for grant funding. How do I determine if I am not "for-profit"?
If you are a municipally-based organization, i.e., an organization that provides service on behalf of a governmental entity, or if you are registered with the IRS as a 501(c) corporation, you are eligible to receive funding from the grant program.
According to the IRS definition, a 501(c)(3) corporation is: "A corporation, or any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes . . . no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual . . ."
According to the IRS definition, a 501(c)(4) corporation is: "A civic league or organization not organized for profit but operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare . . . and the net earnings of which are devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes."
Both of these "501(c)" corporations are nonprofit which is what the AFG regulations provide. The only difference is that one is organized for promotion of social welfare and the other for the testing of public safety. It should be noted that it does not matter that an organization charges individuals for services rendered as long as the organization is only its expenses and isn't profiting.
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