This funding opportunity is to fund a demonstration project addressing rural medical communications.

The 2014 National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) recognizes this evolving landscape with the involvement of new stakeholders and changes in technologies and policies impacting emergency communications

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Response agencies are becoming more connected to each other, requiring that need to communicate and share information during emergencies, such as public health, medical, and transportation agencies, critical infrastructure sectors, and the public.

Emergency responders are not always trained for the types of incidents they encounter but can share valuable information and provide situational awareness during response and recovery efforts.

Specifically, medical providers require communications systems and procedures to transmit patient information and coordinate an influx of patients following large-scale disasters.

As the whole community increases its engagement during emergencies and as technology advances, the need for medical communications and trained personnel increases to ensure coordinated and effective response.

To implement the 2014 NECP, OEC needs to improve its understanding of communications among emergency responders and medical personnel, especially in rural communities.

To examine rural emergency medical communications, OEC is reestablishing the Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project (REMCDP).

The intent of REMCDP is to work with a public health or medical facility to examine communications barriers and identify solutions that enhance existing emergency communications infrastructure.