Rural Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Trauma – Models and Innovations
These stories feature model programs and successful rural projects that can serve as a source of ideas and provide lessons others have learned. Some of the projects or programs may no longer be active. Read about the criteria and evidence-base for programs included.
Other Project Examples
Rescue Divas EMT Recruitment
Updated/reviewed March 2026
- Need: More emergency medical service professionals in rural northwestern Wisconsin.
- Intervention: In 2015, a collaborative effort of a State Office of Rural Health and a regional non-profit job training agency created a pipeline program offering 6-8th grade girls participation in a summer camp that provided an experiential setting demonstrating emergency medical services career opportunities.
- Results: With a 10-year record of success and community support, in 2026, the program continues into its next decade with 20 participants per year.
Rural Nevada EMS Conference
Updated/reviewed January 2026
- Need: To provide rural Nevada EMS personnel an opportunity to receive quality training and current EMS information from national EMS educators.
- Intervention: The Rural Nevada EMS Conference offers continuing education units and engaging sessions for EMS personnel.
- Results: In 2025, 132 individuals attended the conference in-person.
Rural Firefighters Delivering Agricultural Safety and Health (RF-DASH)
Updated/reviewed October 2025
- Need: To reduce injuries in agricultural communities and improve emergency responders' preparedness when called to farms and ranches.
- Intervention: RF-DASH equips rural fire/EMS personnel and others with agricultural health and safety knowledge and tools to pre-plan for agricultural emergencies as well as assess and then mitigate agricultural hazards.
- Results: Over 250 firefighters and EMTs have received training to become RF-DASH trainers.
Montana Interfacility Blood Network (MT IBN)
Updated/reviewed July 2025
- Need: To provide blood transfusions in the ambulance on the way to a hospital.
- Intervention: The Montana Interfacility Blood Network includes 48 healthcare facilities that stock blood and allow ambulances to pick up units of blood while transporting a patient.
- Results: Since its launch, the network has helped at least three patients.
Simulation in Motion-South Dakota (SIM-SD) EMS Educational Outreach Program
Updated/reviewed April 2025
- Need: To provide increased educational opportunities for emergency care personnel in rural and frontier South Dakota.
- Intervention: A technologically advanced training was created to enhance the delivery of emergency patient care.
- Results: Hundreds of emergency medical services (EMS) staff and volunteers received training that in turn helped them in the field of emergency patient care.
COSSA Advanced EMT Class
Added July 2024
- Need: To increase the number of Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (Advanced EMTs) in rural Idaho and neighboring states.
- Intervention: An Advanced EMT class offered to students at five rural high schools, the first of its kind in the country.
- Results: Two students graduated from the class in its first year, with at least two more expected to enroll in the 2024-25 school year.
AGRIMEDIC
Updated/reviewed February 2024
- Need: To reduce farm injuries and improve EMS and fire/rescue's response to these injuries in rural Louisiana and Mississippi.
- Intervention: AGRIMEDIC is a two-day training for first responders.
- Results: 810 first responders have received training.
Last Reviewed: 12/1/2025