HERO: Helping EMS in Rural Oregon

The HERO: Helping EMS in Rural Oregon program is administered by the Oregon Office of Rural Health (ORH) and is designed to support emergency medical services (EMS) volunteers located in rural and remote parts of the state. The program’s central objective is to alleviate financial barriers related to EMS training by providing grants that fund training efforts for both individuals and agencies. By doing so, HERO aims to enhance the capabilities of local EMS systems and ensure consistent emergency care coverage across all corners of Oregon. Eligible applicants for the HERO program include EMS agencies that are located in rural or remote areas of Oregon and participate in the state's 9-1-1 response system. Agencies can use awarded funds to host in-house training events, especially those involving providers from neighboring communities, or to send EMS volunteers to training programs that cannot be conducted locally. A detailed budget outlining the use of funds must accompany each application. Additionally, applicants may seek support for any EMS training class or exercise that will be completed within 12 months following receipt of the grant award. Since its inception in 2010, the HERO grant program has supported over 290 awards, distributing more than $325,000 in total. This funding has enabled local EMS staff to access critical training and certification opportunities, strengthening emergency response infrastructure in underserved areas. In 2025, awards were granted to eight different agencies, each utilizing the funds for a variety of purposes ranging from EMR and EMT certification to advanced trauma support training. Applications for the HERO program are submitted online. Although the 2025 cycle is closed, ORH has announced that the next opportunity to apply will begin in March 2026. ORH encourages prospective applicants to prepare in advance by reviewing the application materials and requirements that will be posted online closer to the opening date. The HERO program is financially supported through charitable contributions managed by the OHSU Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Donors are assured that 100% of their contributions go directly toward the rural EMS grant initiative. For further inquiries or to join the ORH EMS mailing list, interested parties can contact Joan Field via email at fieldj@ohsu.edu.

Prepare budget and training timeline in advance; ensure eligibility via analyzer tool.