(a) Grant requests for funds from the EMS Enhancement Revolving Fund shall be reviewed by the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council specified in § 20-13-205 and recommendations for recipients of grant funds made to the Division of Emergency Medical Services of the Department of Health.

(b)

(1) The grant funds shall be evenly divided between the public, private, and volunteer sectors.

(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the public sector shall include only those applicants having paid employees.

(c) The grant funds may be used to purchase or fund:

(1)

(A) Ambulances for use in providing emergency medical services to the residents of Arkansas.

(B) Ambulances purchased with these funds shall meet the standards for and be registered at the I-A level or a higher level by the division;

(2)

(A) Rescue vehicles for use in providing advanced life support or basic life support emergency care.

(B) Any vehicle purchased for advanced life support shall meet the standards for and be registered at the advanced rescue level by the division;

(3) Equipment required on ambulances or required to provide advanced life support or basic life support rescue services;

(4)

(A) Training that leads to Arkansas licensure as emergency medical services personnel at the basic or advanced levels.

(B) Failure to obtain licensure shall result in the repayment of funds by the grantee; or

(5) Emergency medical services-related training approved by the division.

(d)

(1) The funds may only be used to improve services by increasing the capability and skills of emergency medical services.

(2) Funds may not be used to maintain present status, pay salaries or daily operating expenses, contract for services, or purchase real property.

(e) The funds may not be used for new services at a lower level than an existing licensed service which has been in operation for more than one (1) year in the service area.

(f)

(1) All property purchased with the funds shall be returned to the division if the licensed ambulance service ceases operations.

(2) The division shall make every effort to redistribute returned property and supplies to the replacement service or other eligible existing services within the same county.

(3) Should no eligible service exist or another eligible service not be established in the county within one (l) year, all purchases shall be redistributed by the division as needed.

(g)

(1) Any vehicle or equipment purchased with these funds shall be used for its intended purpose for at least three (3) years from its date of purchase.

(2) Vehicles or equipment damaged or worn out within the three-year period shall be replaced with a like or better item at the grantee's expense.