SPECIAL EDITION

August 27, 2026

Arkansas Ambulance Association Awarded $10 Million to Support Rural EMS and Healthcare Access

"EMS Connect was built with Arkansas EMS providers, not simply for them," Warren-Newton said. "Their participation and feedback shaped our priorities from the beginning. The result is a program grounded in the actual challenges confronting not only rural, but all of our state’s ambulance services — long transport distances, workforce shortages, aging fleets, limited connectivity and diminishing access to healthcare in many communities."

"We are tremendously grateful to Governor Sanders and her administration for the confidence being placed in Arkansas EMS through this award," Executive Director Kerry Moody said. "We also recognize the responsibility that comes with an investment of this magnitude. The Arkansas Ambulance Association is committed to transparency, accountability and responsible stewardship of these funds as we work alongside our state's incredible EMS providers and healthcare partners to implement this initiative thoughtfully and pursue meaningful, measurable improvements for rural Arkansans."

Read the full press release here.

NOTE: We are currently awaiting instructions from the state’s consultants, BDO, for next steps. Because our proposal was partially funded, we will submit an amended budget that must be approved by the state, and expect to receive data reporting requirements and other details. As soon as we receive an update regarding the expected timeline, we will pass that information along. Thank you for your patience as we navigate this incredible opportunity!

RIVERSIDE AMBULANCE INC.

From Riverside Ambulance Facebook - August 24

We are incredibly proud to congratulate our Public Relations Director, Andrew Perry, on being named the 2026 NAEMT EMT of the Year, sponsored by Demers-Braun-Crestline-Medix.

This is one of the nation’s highest individual honors in EMS, recognizing one EMT for exceptional service, leadership, advocacy, professionalism, and dedication to the profession.

Formed in 1975 and more than 110,000 members strong, NAEMT is the only national association representing the professional interests of all emergency and mobile healthcare clinicians

Andrew is only the 10th person from Arkansas in the history of the award to receive this national honor and the first Arkansan since 2014. Out of EMTs serving communities across the country, this year’s recipient comes from right here in Northeast Arkansas. Not only is this a reflection of Andrew's dedication to EMS, but it’s also a reflection on Riverside Ambulance and on the communities we serve.

We couldn’t be prouder to see one of our own carry Arkansas EMS onto the national stage.

From Central EMS’s Facebook August 29, 2026

Battalion Chief Colin Olson, Paramedic Troy M., and EMT Eve J. were on site providing medical standby for “Midnight Madness” at the Washington County Fair.

While they were there, they even had the chance to provide a little first aid to one of the fair’s four-legged participants—a sheep! Just another night at the fair for our crews!

August 23, 2026 12:00 PM

Bipartisan bill would fund firefighter, EMS mental health programs

The proposal would provide $7.5 million annually for suicide prevention, peer support, counseling and other mental health resources

The Daily Astorian

WASHINGTON — An Oregon congresswoman is proposing a new grant program to support the mental health needs of firefighters and emergency medical services staff.

U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas, a Tigard Democrat representing Oregon’s Willamette Valley -based 6th Congressional District, is seeking to establish a grant program that would fund $7.5 million a year in nationwide suicide prevention programs, peer support and counseling for first responders and firefighters.

The bill is similar to a 2017 law directing the U.S. Department of Justice to fund mental health and treatment programs across the U.S for law enforcement, except Salinas proposes the first responder program be administered through the Office of Emergency Medical Services, a branch under the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Studies show that first responders experience negative mental health outcomes at a higher rate compared to the general population, including higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts than the general population. Additionally, stigmas behind mental health keep many firefighters and responders from seeking mental health support.

“Just as we ask our first responders to be there for us, we, as Congress, must be there for them,” Salinas said at a press conference at a Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue station near Lake Oswego Monday morning.

Read the full article here.

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