On December 26th, the Department of Revenue (DOR) will send out a total of $24 million to ambulance service providers around the state. These dollars come as a part of major emergency medical services legislation passed in May of 2024, championed by Senator Judy Seeberger (DFL-Afton). The specific allocations to EMS providers were certified by the DOR in the past month.

Senator Seeberger’s EMS legislation, House File 4738, created Minnesota’s new Office of Emergency Medical Services and allocated an additional $6 million for two “Sprint Medic” pilot programs in Saint Louis County and Otter Tail County. The package of proposals aims to reduce ambulance wait times, retain EMS workforce, establish more public accountability with the new state Office of EMS, and uplift the voices and input of Minnesota’s EMS personnel and first responders.

“As a paramedic, one of my top legislative priorities has been ensuring that all Minnesotans have access to reliable and timely ambulance services, no matter their zip code,” said Senator Seeberger. “I am proud of our bipartisan efforts last session to make that a reality. These dollars will help struggling EMS providers in the short term, and I look forward to seeing our new Office of EMS address the long term sustainability of our ambulance services, particularly in Greater Minnesota.”

Hastings Fire Department EMS will receive a total of $141,050.30.