GEORGETOWN, KY— Georgetown-Scott County EMS has been awarded $289,275 through the Kentucky Rural Health Transformation (KY RHT) Community Paramedicine Request for Applications (RFA), providing critical funding to expand community-based healthcare services throughout Scott County.
The award, funded through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Fund and administered by the Kentucky Department for Public Health, will support Georgetown-Scott County EMS’s Community Paramedicine Program from August 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
The Community Paramedicine Program is designed to improve access to healthcare, address local health needs, and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and hospital admissions by integrating EMS professionals into the broader healthcare system. Through this initiative, specially trained paramedics work proactively with patients to connect them with resources, provide follow-up care, and help manage chronic health conditions before emergencies occur.
“This grant allows us to continue redefining what modern EMS can be,” said GSCEMS Chief, Chris Runyon. “Community Paramedicine is about meeting people where they are, helping them manage chronic illnesses, preventing avoidable emergencies, and connecting them with the resources they need before a crisis occurs. We are grateful to the Kentucky Department for Public Health and CMS for investing in innovative programs that improve patient outcomes while strengthening the overall health of our community.”
The funding is part of Kentucky’s Rural Health Transformation initiative, a statewide effort supported by CMS to improve healthcare outcomes for rural communities through innovative, community-based programs. Georgetown-Scott County EMS was selected through a competitive application process recognizing organizations committed to expanding healthcare access and improving patient outcomes.
Community Paramedic Brandon Remley played an instrumental role in securing the grant by leading the application process and helping develop the department’s vision for expanding community paramedicine services.
“The funding we will be receiving from the Kentucky Rural Health Transformation Grant will allow us to provide additional services to the unsheltered population and to individuals who experience mental health emergencies,” said Remley. “ Having the funding to assist more individuals will hopefully reduce emergency response and provide a pathway for those who we assist to lead a more happy and healthy life.”
The grant will allow Georgetown-Scott County EMS to continue building upon its Community Paramedicine Program, strengthening partnerships with local healthcare providers while delivering preventive care and support services directly to residents who need them most.
Additional information about the Community Paramedicine Program and how the grant funding will be utilized will be shared as the program implementation moves forward.
About Georgetown-Scott County EMS
Georgetown-Scott County EMS provides high-quality emergency medical services to the residents and visitors of Scott County, Kentucky. In addition to emergency response, the department is committed to innovative programs that improve community health, expand access to care, and enhance the quality of life for those it serves.