The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services recently awarded the Eastern Shore 911 Communications Center a Rescue Squad Assistance Fund grant for the purchase of two channel radios and one VHF radio and antenna system totaling $51,317. These new radio systems will allow call centers dispatchers to communicate in an efficient and timely manner.

The Eastern Shore Communications Center serves the counties of Accomack and Northampton to field and dispatch all 911 calls to the proper EMS responder. It also serves as an emergency operations center for any EMS crisis that occurs in the two counties and the town of Chincoteague.

"It is important for volunteer and nonprofit EMS agencies to apply for grant funding in order to reduce their operating costs and maintain a high level of functionality with state-of-the-art equipment," says Gary Brown, director of the Office of Emergency Medical Services.

RSAF grant funding comes from Virginia's "Four-for-Life" program, which is administered by OEMS. Through this program, $4.25 is deducted from every motor vehicle registration to provide funding for EMS programs in Virginia, which include the RSAF grant program and other funding that is returned to localities for EMS training and equipment.

Additional information is available at www.vdh.virginia.gov/OEMS/Grants/.

The Emergency Medical Services grants program is for Virginia non-profit EMS agencies and organizations.