SAMHSA Terminates SIREN and REMSTEA Grants: NAEMT Responds to Immediate EMS Funding Cuts

Update:

NAEMT applauds the decision to reverse the SAMHSA program funding terminations. These programs save lives and help EMTs and paramedics be their best. We are grateful to the Administration and Members of Congress who were instrumental in reversing this critical decision.

EMS is underfunded and will only thrive with investment and innovation. NAEMT will continue working with policymakers in Washington, DC on innovative ideas to improve EMS and protect the health and safety of communities in the most efficient way possible.

January 14, 2026

Today EMS agencies across the nation received notification that grant funds from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) have been immediately terminated, with no warning or transition.

National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) members have communicated that their SAMHSA grant funding has been eliminated across the board, including the SIREN grant program.

EMS agencies count on these funds for personnel, training, and equipment that helps keep communities safe. If this decision stands, many NAEMT members will have to discontinue vital programs that aid people experiencing life threatening conditions and chronic illness. This WILL result in a reduction of emergency and preventive care and cause an increase in hospitalizations and death.

The Rural EMS Training and Equipment Assistance (REMSTEA) program, administered by SAMHSA, provides a critical lifeline for budget-challenged rural EMS agencies and fire departments.

REMSTEA grants have provided much-needed funding to assist agencies in procuring medication and medical supplies, recruiting and retaining personnel, increasing service levels from Basic Life Support to Advanced Life Support, and even replacing older ambulances with newer, safer models.

NAEMT has contacted the Senate and House legislative sponsors of these programs and Congressional Committees of jurisdiction to express our alarm at this sudden termination.

NAEMT members who have had funding terminated are asked to share details of the termination with Kim Champi Krenik at kim.krenik@naemt.org, including the specific programming and cost that is supported by the funding. These terminations are broad and impact many health care provider organizations and NAEMT is joining with other emergency response and health care organizations to work to preserve funding.