Cooper/Sams Volunteer Ambulance Award Program

Minnesota's Cooper/Sams Volunteer Ambulance Award recognizes and rewards volunteer ambulance service personnel and provides an incentive for volunteers to enter the EMS field.

Important Deadlines

• Online submission of the Credit Submission Form by the Ambulance Service: June 1, 2025- August 1, 2025
• Applications by individuals applying for payment of the volunteer award, must be received by the Office of EMS on or before October 1, 2025.

Earning Service Credits

• A service credit is earned for one year of service, and each service credit is valued at $447.19.
• Personnel are eligible to earn an annual service credit if they received no more than $9,887.00 per year in compensation from their service

For Ambulance Services

Ambulance Services upon submission of the online form, must obtain a Notary Signature and return this form to the Office of EMS no later than August 1st.

• Cooper Sams Credit Application Instructions
• Ambulance Service Notary Form - Due August 1st

For Individuals Redeeming Credits

To qualify for the one-time payment, EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs, Paramedics, ambulance drivers, and ambulance service medical directors must:

• be at least 50 years of age;
• have accrued at least five service credits;
• have resigned from active volunteer service on ambulance; and
• have completed the Claim form; completed claim form must be received by the Office of EMS on or before October 1, 2025 

• EMS Personnel Claiming the Award must create a SWIFT vendor account and complete the Cooper Sams Longevity Application Form:
  1. Cooper/Sams Longevity Award Swift Account Instructions 
  2. Cooper/Sams Longevity Award Claim Application Form