Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that NorthStar Emergency Medical Services, an affiliate of MaineHealth’s Franklin Memorial Hospital, has been awarded $200,000 to support rural emergency medical services throughout Franklin County. 

“This funding supports the dedicated staff at NorthStar Emergency Medical Services by expanding EMS personnel and strengthening medical training programs, including mental health and substance use treatment programs, allowing individuals and families in Franklin County to receive high quality care throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement.  “We will continue our efforts to boost resources for Maine’s health system to help protect the health and safety of all Mainers and ensure that those in rural communities have access to quality care during this public health crisis.”

The funding, which was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Center for Flex Grants Program, aims to increase recruitment, training, and retention of EMS personnel by implementing recruitment and training programs, provide EMS personnel with training to understand, and provide safe, stigma free treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and ensure EMS personnel have the equipment and training tools needed to provide high quality care throughout the county.