Authority: §§ 32.1-112 through 32.1-116.3 ; 32.1-148 through 32.1-156 ; and 46.2-694 (13), Code of Virginia.
A. Out of this appropriation, distribution to localities shall be made each year in accordance with § 46.2-694A.13.e, Code of Virginia, in an amount not to exceed twenty-five percent of the appropriation.
B. Out of this appropriation, $230,750 the first year and $230,750 the second year shall be provided from special funds to the Department of State Police for administration of criminal history record information for local volunteer fire and rescue squad personnel (pursuant to § 19.2-389 A.11, Code of Virginia), to the Rescue Squad Assistance Fund (the Fund), and to the Regional Emergency Medical Services Councils (the Councils) for training program grants. Of the $230,750 each year, $25,000 shall be provided to the State Police, $100,000 to the Fund, and the remainder to the Councils for the above purposes. The State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board shall make recommendations regarding the awarding of the training program grants to the Councils. This funding for training program grants shall supplement, not supplant, existing resources for training programs.
C. Out of this appropriation, distribution to the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads shall be made each year in accordance with § 46.2-694A.13.a, Code of Virginia, in an amount not to exceed two and one-half percent of the monies collected for the emergency medical services special fund.
D. Out of this appropriation, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year shall be provided from special funds to provide technical assistance for local government officials and a public awareness campaign on volunteerism for the Emergency Medical Services Program.
E. Distributions made under § 46.2-694A.13.b (iii), Code of Virginia, shall be made only to nonprofit emergency medical services organizations.
F. If bid proposals to privatize poison control services for the Commonwealth are not cost effective, the Virginia Department of Health will continue to contract for poison control services in FY 1998 with the University of Virginia Medical Center and the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals Authority at the same levels of service and funding as in FY 1997.