In the late 1960s, Medic One was born out of a brainstorming session between the Seattle Fire Department and Dr. Leonard A. Cobb. This session yielded two research-based questions:

1. Could lives be saved with pre-hospital care?
2. Could non-physicians provide high-quality care with remote physician guidance?

Out of this collaboration, the Medic One Foundation was born, and high-quality pre-hospital emergency care standards were established. The Medic One Foundation supports the Medic One Response System, covering 911, medical dispatch, BLS and ALS for King County, Wash.

The county and its responders are known for their high recovery rates for patients who experience sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). This community has been proactive with programs such as community-based CPR and dynamic research looking at ways to increase the rate.

The data the foundation receives is only a small sampling of the national population. The Medic One Foundation offers general research funding for communities willing to review data and attempt new procedures for increasing their outcomes.

Medic One Foundation: General Research Fund

To continue this mission and help increase the effectiveness of EMS systems nationwide, the Medic One General Research Fund offers a limited amount of research grants "focused on the improvement of pre-hospital emergency care" in the areas of EMS, cardiac arrest and prevention of sudden cardiac arrest.

In the funding announcement, the Medic One Foundation states that there is no traditional cap on the funding for this project, simply that the average funding amount in the past has been $50,000 with a maximum of 10 percent for indirect expenses. The deadline for this application is the Oct. 31, 2012.

Eligibility: While this grant is primarily for hospitals in and around the King County area, organizations across the country are encouraged to apply. These grants are looking to fund projects for new CPR techniques, new drugs in managing cardiac arrest, prevention of cardiac arrest and brain protection following resuscitation.

Medic One Foundation: W. Hunter Simpson Fund for Research and Development in Pre-Hospital Emergency Care

The W. Hunter Simpson Fund provides "seed" funding for researchers. The funding priorities are similar to the General Research Fund except this offering is up to $150,000.

Eligibility: While this grant focuses on research programs primarily at the University of Washington School of Medicine and the Harborview Medical Center, researchers from around the country are encouraged to apply. This program seeks to develop and study innovations to improve pre-hospital emergency care.

The submission process is open yet structured. You must submit primary research information in proposal form (background, goals, methods, analyses and budget) and curriculum vitae for each member of the team. Eight copies of the proposal and the primary researcher's CV are needed, as well as one copy of each additional investigator's CV.

By pursuing this grant, not only do you help your organization get additional funding, but you also help your community by putting research into services that will help victims recover from sudden cardiac arrest.