Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $3,005,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Emergency Medical Services in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee last week, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
This funding builds off of the nearly $57 million in Congressionally Directed Spending Senator Collins advanced for Maine law enforcement, fire stations, public safety upgrades, and emergency services in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bills.
“Every Mainer should have access to vital emergency medical services,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would provide Maine’s communities with new ambulances, helping to improve emergency response services throughout the surrounding regions. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:
Bar Harbor Fire Department Ambulance
Recipient: Bar Harbor Fire Department
Project Location: Bar Harbor, ME
Amount Requested: $125,000
Project Purpose: To purchase a new ambulance.
Central Maine Highland Fire Ambulance
Recipient: Central Maine Highland Fire & EMS District 1
Project Location: Howland, ME
Amount Requested: $1,875,000
Project Purpose: To purchase new ambulances for regional EMS.
Town of Waldoboro Ambulance
Recipient: Town of Waldoboro
Project Location: Waldoboro, ME
Amount Requested: $350,000
Project Purpose: To purchase a new ambulance.
Delta Ambulance Purchase
Recipient: Delta Ambulance
Project Location: Waterville, ME
Amount Requested: $655,000
Project Purpose: To purchase new ambulances and emergency medical equipment.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
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