61-2-503. Emergency medical services grant program -- eligibility -- matching funds. (1) The department shall provide competitive grants to emergency medical service providers for acquiring or leasing ambulances or emergency response vehicles or for purchasing equipment, other than routine medical supplies, for any of the following purposes:

(a) training;

(b) communications; or

(c) providing medical care to a patient.

(2) A licensed emergency medical service may apply for a grant if:

(a) it has been in operation at least 12 months;

(b) it bills for services at a level that is at least equivalent to the medicare billing level; and

(c) a majority of its active emergency care providers are volunteer emergency care providers.

(3) An emergency medical service is ineligible for grant funding if it is either a private business or a public agency, as defined in 7-1-4121, and employs the majority of its emergency care providers on a regular basis with a regular, hourly wage.

(4) An eligible emergency medical service applying for a grant under this section shall provide a 10% match for any grant funds received.

(5) The department shall award grants on an annual basis using the criteria contained in 61-2-504.

(6) Up to 5% of the annual appropriation for the program may be distributed for emergency purposes each year as provided in 61-2-507.