Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project (REMCDP)

In 2016, CISA established REMCDP to work with a public health or medical facility to examine communications barriers and identify solutions that enhance existing emergency communications infrastructure. Following a competitive selection process, CISA awarded $2,000,000 to the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) for its First Hands Program in September 2016. The First Hands Program combined medical and land mobile radio communications education with hands-on exercises to empower first responders providing medical aid in rural communities. UMMC's many accomplishments, successes, and lessons learned are summarized in the FY 2016 Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project Closeout Report.

In recognition of continued NECP development projects, Congress authorized a second round of REMCDP funding. After a merit review process, CISA awarded $2,000,000 to UMMC to expand its First Hands Program beginning October 1, 2018. UMMC used FY 2018 REMCDP funds to continue the First Hands Program to fulfill unmet course demand, develop a just-in-time training and operational vehicle platform for rapid deployment, and execute a refresher program for graduates of the First Hands Program. In addition, UMMC developed and is now offering a companion course for all Mississippi public safety communication personnel and dispatchers, entitled the First Voice Program. See the FY 2018 Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project Closeout Report for more information.

Congress authorized a third round of REMCDP funding in 2020. Following a competitive selection process, CISA awarded $2,000,000 to UMMC to continue its educational efforts to improve rural medical care. During the period of performance beginning on September 30, 2020, UMMC continued to enhance the First Hands Program, First Voice Program, just-in-time training, and Mississippi Center for Emergency Services mobile application, as well as create new approaches for Tele-Training.

In recognition of the ongoing need for innovative solutions to improve the delivery of rural medical care and address NECP implementation gaps, Congress authorized a fourth round of REMCDP funding in 2022. Following a competitive selection process, CISA awarded $1,892,500 to UMMC to build on the success of its previous REMCDP awards, as well as explore additional technologies, including push-to-talk over cellular. CISA is also leveraging REMCDP funding to develop technical assistance offerings and assist rural communities across the nation to implement project successes.

Congress authorized a fifth round of REMCDP funding; the FY 2023 REMCDP Notice of Funding Opportunity was posted on grants.gov from May 30 through July 28, 2023. REMCDP’s program objectives remained consistent with previous awards; however, eligibility was expanded to include, state, local, tribal, and territorial government agencies in collaboration with a medical facility, as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education. Following a competitive selection process, CISA awarded cooperative agreements of $4,276,023 across three communities in Colorado, Iowa, and Virginia. Recipients have a 2-year period of performance to complete their demonstration projects in collaboration with the federal government. CISA is also leveraging REMCDP funding for technical assistance offerings to assist rural communities in implementing project successes. 

Continuing this successful demonstration project, Congress authorized the FY 2024 REMCDP Notice of Funding Opportunity, which was available on grants.gov from June 18 to August 9, 2024. Following a competitive selection process, CISA awarded a cooperative agreement of $1,000,000 to the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency. CISA will also leverage some REMCDP funds for technical assistance services to assist rural communities across the nation in implementing project successes.