GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1991

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 725

Short Title:  Vol. Rescue/EMS Fund - Eligibility.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Kerr, Russell; Bowman, Hensley, Jordan, McLawhorn, and Smith.
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Referred to:  Commerce.
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April 11, 1991

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO CHANGE THE ELIGIBILITY FOR GRANTS UNDER THE VOLUNTEER RESCUE/EMS FUND.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  G.S. 58-87-5 reads as rewritten:
"§ 58-87-5.  Volunteer Rescue/EMS Fund.
(a)	There is created in the Department of Insurance the Volunteer Rescue/EMS Fund to provide matching grants to volunteer rescue units providing rescue or rescue and emergency medical services to purchase equipment and make capital improvements.  An eligible rescue or rescue/EMS unit may apply to the Department of Insurance for a grant under this section.  The application form and criteria for grants shall be established by the Department.  The Office of Emergency Medical Services in the Department of Human Resources shall provide the Department with an advisory priority listing of EMS equipment eligible for funding.  The State Treasurer shall invest the Fund's assets according to law, and the earnings shall remain in the Fund.  Beginning December 15, 1989, and on each December 15 thereafter, the Department shall make grants to eligible rescue or rescue/EMS units subject to the following limitations:
(1)	The size of a grant may not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000);
(2)	The applicant shall match the grant on a dollar-for-dollar basis with non-State funds; 
(2a)	Those departments with one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less in liquid assets may apply, pursuant to rules issued by the Department of Insurance, for grants of up to three thousand dollars ($3,000), without the matching requirement;
(3)	The grant may be used only for equipment purchases or capital expenditures; and
(4)	An applicant may receive no more than one grant per fiscal year.
In awarding grants under this section, the Department shall to the extent possible select applicants from all parts of the State based upon need.  Up to two percent (2%) of the Fund may be used for additional staff and resources to administer the Fund in each fiscal year.  In addition, notwithstanding G.S. 58-78-20, up to four percent (4%) of the Fund may be used for additional staff and resources for the North Carolina Fire and Rescue Commission.
(b)	A rescue or rescue/EMS unit is eligible for a grant under this section if:
(1)	Repealed by Session Laws 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1066, s. 33(a).
(2)	It is all volunteer, except that the rescue or rescue/EMS unit may have paid members, not to exceed 168 paid hours per week, either full-time or part-time; and
(3)	It has been recognized by the Department as an organization that provides rescue or rescue and emergency medical services; and
(4)	It satisfies the eligibility criteria established by the Department under subsection (a) of this section.
(c)	For the purpose of this section and Article 88 of this Chapter, 'rescue' means the removal of individuals facing external, nonmedical, and nonpatient related peril to areas of relative safety.  A 'rescue unit' or 'rescue squad' means a group of individuals who are not necessarily trained in emergency medical services, fire fighting, or law enforcement, but who expose themselves to an external, nonmedical, and nonpatient related peril to effect the removal of individuals facing the same type of peril to areas of relative safety.  The unit or squad must comply with existing State statutes and with eligibility criteria established by the North Carolina Association of Rescue and Emergency Medical Services, Inc."
Sec. 2.  This act is effective upon ratification.