(KAIR)--More than $91,000 is awarded to Atchison County through the 2024 Rural EMS Program grant.

A release from the county of Atchison calls the funding "a huge win for our community, allowing us to enhance emergency medical services, upgrade essential equipment, and continue providing high-quality, life-saving care to our residents."

According to Atchison County Finance Director Mark Zeltner, the specific use of the funds, as determined by him and the Chief of Medical Services, is the installation of a ventilator and accompanying accessories for each of Atchison County EMS's four ambulances. Zeltner, who calls that a costly, but vital, expense, tells MSC News it was "the best expense for this funding that met all the criteria," adding that the installation will be "a perfect fit, especially without needing to tax the citizens for this" purchase.

The release from the County states that the awarding of the funds, coupled with community support, helps to make "Atchison County a safer, healthier place for all."

Zeltner says the Rural EMS grant, totaling $91,629 earmarked for Atchison County, is administered by the Patterson Family Foundation, whose website describes the Rural EMS 2024 Program as "a competitive grant to fund equipment, protective gear, training and certification, and/or operational expenses needed by EMS and first responder teams across the Patterson Family Foundation- Kansas and western Missouri philanthropic catchment."