A. Applications for emergency medical services system improvement projects shall be submitted separately from applications for the local emergency medical services funding program. The bureau shall award emergency medical services system improvement projects after a review of the applications. The awards shall be made based on a priority ranking, demonstrated need for funding and recommendations from the committee. Money awarded shall be used in compliance with applicable rules.

B. Applications for funding to purchase emergency medical services vehicles shall be submitted by municipalities or counties on behalf of local recipients. The municipality or county shall commit to providing matching funds of at least twenty-five percent of the cost of purchasing the vehicle.

C. Applications for funding of local and statewide projects shall demonstrate the need for funding and a plan to use the funding to enhance or better integrate local emergency medical services systems or to improve the health, safety and training of emergency medical services technicians statewide.

D. A statewide trauma care system program shall be developed and determined by the bureau in consultation with the committee. The statewide trauma care system program shall provide for the support, development and expansion of the statewide trauma care system in accordance with rules adopted by the department.

E. The emergency medical dispatch agency support program shall fund allowable costs of dispatch agencies that meet criteria established pursuant to rules by the department.

History: Laws 1994, ch. 61, § 10; 2001, ch. 258, § 5; 2001, ch. 273, § 5.

The 2001 amendment, effective July 1, 2001, added Subsection E.

Laws 2001, ch. 258, § 5 and Laws 2001, ch. 273, § 5 enacted identical amendments to this section. The section was set out as amended by Laws 2001, ch. 273, § 5. See 12-1-8 NMSA 1978.