SIREN Reauthorization Act

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of S. 265, the Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs Reauthorization Act, or the SIREN Reauthorization Act.

First created in 2018, the SIREN Act created a grant program for public and nonprofit emergency medical services, agencies, and fire departments in rural areas to support the recruitment, retention, education, and equipping of EMS personnel.

Administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, SAMHSA, this grant program has become a key partner to rural communities to ensure their EMS systems have funding for the most basic of operations. These grants go beyond brick-and-mortar assistance by helping rural EMS agencies better train and recruit staff, acquire new equipment, and develop new ways to educate EMS personnel.

These grants have provided critical funding to assist acquiring medication, medical supplies, increasing basic and advanced life support, and even replacing older response vehicles with newer or safer models.

In communities where the nearest hospital or trauma center is several towns away, the small-town or frontier EMS workers are often the lifeline for patients in critical and vulnerable States. It is imperative that they have the Federal support they need to carry out this very important mission without interruption.

I thank Representatives Dingell and Joyce for their leadership in the House and their companion legislation, H.R. 4646, which passed the House in May. I also thank Chair Rodgers and subcommittee Chair Guthrie for their collaboration to ensure this program continues to receive the bipartisan support that it so well deserves.

Mr. Speaker, I urge that we support this bill to help rural EMS services. It is so important in rural areas, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 265) to reauthorize the rural emergency medical service training and equipment assistance program, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 265, the SIREN Reauthorization Act.

EMS agencies play a critical role within our healthcare system, especially in rural areas where they may be the only provider for miles. More than half of rural EMS agencies are staffed solely by volunteers and oftentimes must raise their own funds just to continue operating.

The SIREN Reauthorization Act would continue vital resources for the Rural Emergency Medical Services Training program, which helps support local EMS agencies with recruitment and training efforts as well as purchasing equipment, including overdose reversal medication.

First responders are on the front lines of the opioid epidemic and must be able to properly acquire and administer overdose reversal medications to help save lives and prevent overdose deaths.

Reauthorizing this program is crucial to help bolster the rural health workforce.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.