EMS Flex Grant: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

You can request funds from ALL Budget Categories. Please indicate the need in each category and provide a justification.

Indicate the actual cost of the item(s) along with the justification of why the funding is needed and how you plan to utilize it in response to emergencies.

The cost justification should be for the entire Budget Category and lists your reason for requesting the funds and how they will be used by the service.

Yes, you can go back to sections to make corrections or additions to responses if you have not yet submitted the application. If the application has been submitted, please send an email to DHSFlexGrant@dhs.wisconsin.gov and indicate you need to make corrections to the application. This must be completed BEFORE the submission period ends on July 11, 2022.

The attestations are related to certifying that you will maintain records for the required five years. This pertains to invoices, payroll documents (if staffing), or other documentation related to how you used the funds.

The Department of Health Services will determine allocations based on requests, allowable grant activities, available funding, and responses from EMS Services.

The provisions in the American Rescue Act allow the state to provide the Flex Grant and target funds to EMS Service Providers to assist in the response of emergency services. The state has created categories that are allowable in the grant application. You can find information on the American Rescue Plan Act—Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds on the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds | U.S. Department of the Treasury website.

Upon completing the preliminary review of the application, if the review team determines that items need clarification or corrections to proceed with the grant review, these items will be requested. The grant application requests necessary documents such as W-9’s, the FEIN, and direct deposit documents, in order to meet minimum grant application requirements.

Please complete the application indicating the current service director and provide an updated contact person and email address after the application submission to: DHSFlexGrant@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

The EMS Flex Grant is open to all certified EMS Services in the state of Wisconsin. Non-Transporting Service Providers CAN apply for funding.

The grant indicates that certified EMS services in Wisconsin are eligible. Hospitals are not eligible EMS services under this grant.

You can apply for the Flex Grant if you have also applied for FAP funds. However, you cannot use them both on the same items. For example, if you are planning to use them both for Training, please utilize them for different training items, courses, or events.

Please check for the census tract data go to the Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) website to find out if the area in question is listed. Projects that are focused on serving geographic or demographic communities in the Qualified Census Tracts may receive additional funding. However, all service areas are eligible to receive funds.

You may use your funds across your service area. Projects that are focused on serving geographic or demographic communities in the Qualified Census Tracts may receive additional funding. The Department of Health Services EMS team will determine allocations based on requests, allowable grant activities, available funding, and the response from EMS Services.

Check the type of document that has been saved and uploaded. It should be a PDF. Once uploaded, you should see the file name indicated. You can submit specific questions regarding the forms or application to DHSFlexGrant@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

This form to establish the EMS Service Provider in the State’s fiscal system (STAR). Please indicate on the form that you are “opting in” for Direct Deposit.

Based on requirements related to the American Rescue Act funding, direct deposit is necessary for Flex Grant grantees. If you don’t currently have direct deposit set-up through STAR, you will be prompted to complete Form DOA 6456 (Direct Deposit Authorization) when completing the grant application. Banking information will be a required upload.

No, there is no need to resubmit forms if they were submitted for the state fiscal year (SFY) 2023 FAP Grant. However, if the agency is not currently setup for Direct Deposit, you will need to submit DOA Form 6456, Direct Deposit Authorization.

No, certain budget categories do not receive more priority over others.

Quotes are not required with the application submission. Budgets should be based on best cost estimates at the time of application. If the costs exceed the recommended budget maximum, please indicate the best estimated costs and provide a justification including the need for funding and plans for utilization.

Please submit budget requests and provide as much explanation for how the funds will be utilized as possible. Awards will be calculated based on requests, allowable grant activities, available funding, and other information from the application. Awards may be less than the amount requested.

The requested items should be listed separately in the budget and then the category should have total cost for the category.

Please include shipping costs associated with the budgeted item. If you are unsure of shipping costs, submit the item cost or contact the supplier to obtain shipping costs to include in your budget.

Please provide a budget expense and a justification for how the funds will assist in retaining current staff or hiring new staff to respond to emergencies. The Staffing Category is designed to assist the provider with retaining and attracting new staff.

The provider must be able to demonstrate that the items purchased with FAP funding differs from items purchased with Flex Grant funds. These would be two separate items. Retain the invoices or receipts for items purchased with Flex Grant funds.

Please break down each major component of the computer work station, and indicate the price for each. You will enter a grand total of all the items in the category.

The Department of Health Services will determine allocations based on allowable grant activities, available funding, and the information in the application. DHS will be unable to provide more funding if prices increase. The agency would have to make up the difference or perhaps reduce the quantity, if applicable, to meet awarded budget amount.

You can use funds to purchase supplies related to equipment necessary to respond to emergencies, and PPE items are essential and require proper storage. Please list this under the Supply Category as PPE Storage Containers.

Yes. Please indicate the items under this section and provide budget amounts for each.

Funding requests can be submitted for Supplies and Equipment. You may request items in both categories. If your requested budget exceeds the maximum funding levels, please indicate the actual costs and provide a justification.

Two-way radios are not excluded Equipment. “Equipment is defined as items that cost at least $5,000 and above.”

Yes. You may request funding for items that will enable you to respond effectively to emergencies.

No, this is NOT an eligible item under Equipment. This item is considered part of Fire Equipment and not in the scope of practice or required equipment on ambulances.

Yes, this would be indicated under the Equipment Category.

Yes, this would be indicated under the Equipment Category.

Yes, it is permissible for the municipality to make-up the difference, if the EMS Service Provider and the municipality makes this decision. The EMS Service may also submit budget requests for items over the recommended category maximum and provide a justification for the expense.

EMS providers may apply for funding under the Emergency Response Vehicle Category. The Program will take into consideration the extenuating circumstances surrounding the delivery of emergency vehicles such as ambulances.

You can request a UTV and trailer under the Emergency Response Vehicle Category. The basket will have to be requested under Equipment or Supplies (defined as items that cost up to $4,999).

The purchase of this type of vehicle is an eligible cost if its use is intended for EMS Service response or as an ALS Interceptor.

This is an eligible cost under the Emergency Response Vehicle Category.

Quotes are not necessary. You would need to maintain receipts, invoices, or documentation to support funds expended.

The Flex Grant does not cover costs associated with the purchase of fire trucks.

The purchase of this type of vehicle is an eligible cost if its use is intended for EMS Service response or as an ALS Interceptor. The installation of the lights and sirens is also an eligible cost.

The television would be eligible to be requested under Supplies. You can enter the justification for the request as to assist with staff training and enable videos to be viewed.

Yes, you can request costs associated with training staff on newly purchased equipment.

Please provide an explanation along with budget for these items and indicate how they would be used for training staff.

Funds under the Staffing Category can relate to hiring additional staff or using funds to retain existing staff. Some examples of this could be using additional funds to hire staff to support emergency response efforts or increasing rates of pay to retain staff to comparable rates for similar roles to that of neighboring areas (similar in size to your area) to help retain them. The justification should outline how this would be accomplished. For example, the additional staff would support staff whose role would be assisting with administrative functions to support the EMS Service Provider.

Flex Grant funding covers cost incurred after award, and not before grants awards have been made.

The Cradle Point System is an eligible item that can be budgeted under the Equipment Category. Expenses related to this system can only be budgeted for the grant period, including the initial purchase and a one-year subscription amount.

Portage County would apply and indicate they are an EMR Service seeking funding to enable Portage to continue to respond to and provide emergency services. The remaining providers are eligible to apply for the Flex Grant to assist with providing emergency response services in their respective areas.

Please indicate what your needs are in the Categories applicable to your agency including the budget amounts needed. If you would like to submit a request for additional funding in this area, provide the budget amount and justification.