Hospital receives $177,292.50 equipment grant

Texas County Memorial Hospital has been awarded a grant of $177,292.50 by the Missouri Department of Public Safety. The primary objective of this grant is to provide new equipment to enable first responders to better respond to emergencies. The hospital will use these funds to purchase a new ambulance, a crucial addition to our fleet. 

 

This public safety grant is a testament to the commitment of Governor Mike Parson’s plan for Missouri’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. On April 10, Governor Parson announced that the department had approved 70 grants totaling $5 million for law enforcement, fire service, and EMS providers. TCMH was one of 18 emergency medical service providers to receive funding, and it received the eighth-highest amount of funding among the 70 grants awarded.

“Across the state, Missouri first responders bravely respond to emergencies, including floods, droughts, train derailments, traffic accidents, and beyond. In times of crisis, we call on them, and we could not be more proud,” said Governor Parson. “These grants will provide vitally important equipment to help law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel do their jobs more effectively and make our Missouri communities safer.”

 

Eligible grant expenditures include equipment and supplies. A 50% local match is required (for example, if the total project cost were $40,000, the local recipient would be responsible for $20,000 and the ARPA share would be $20,000). A local agency’s match may be retroactive to March 2020. Local ARPA grant funds may be utilized for the local match. 

 

“Missouri first responders rush toward danger no matter the limitations or age of their equipment,” said Missouri Department of Public Safety Direct Sandy Karsten. “The $5 million in funding we’re providing means more Missourians facing life-threatening emergencies will be met by responders using up-to-date equipment, trained with modern devices, and using interoperable radios that make for better communications. This funding will make a difference in communities across the state.”

 

“We want to express our gratitude to the Missouri Department of Public Safety for their exceptional support and generosity towards TCMH and the residents of Texas County. Thanks to their funding, we can purchase a new ambulance to replace our existing vehicle with the highest mileage, currently at 514,506 miles,” Bill Bridges, TCMH interim chief executive officer, said. “This ambulance will ensure that TCMH can continue to provide prompt, efficient, and high quality emergency medical services to the residents of Texas County.”