What Minnesota Emergency Disability Services does

Minnesota Emergency Disability Services (MEDS) is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in February 2007 by Jeremy J. Rogness to deliver emergency and safety services tailored to the disability community. Operating from St. Paul, the organization is entirely volunteer-staffed and runs four core programs: the Trap Ride Program (low-cost emergency transport of assistive mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters when users become separated due to breakdowns or medical emergencies), the Disability Disaster Relief program (a mobile command center providing communications, power, medical supplies, and transport during natural disasters), the Mobility Awareness Safety System (an add-on lighting harness with headlights, taillights, and optional safety horn for assistive mobility devices), and a Communications Command Center powered by an Emware.com CAD dispatch system. MEDS previously operated the Project Lifesaver wander-prevention program for cognitively impaired individuals but discontinued it due to insufficient public support.

The organization's technology stack centers on a fully-equipped mobile command center vehicle integrating two-way radio, internet, and satellite communications with donated CAD dispatch infrastructure. Its proprietary contribution is the executive director's Mobility Awareness Safety System, invented from his lived experience with Cerebral Palsy Spastic Quad. Services are delivered directly to disabled community members through volunteer outreach, a 24-hour emergency hotline, and partnerships with public safety agencies.

MEDS generates no commercial revenue from its core services, which are provided free or at low cost. Funding consists of grants from F. R. Bigelow Foundation and St. Paul Foundation, donations and Go Fund Me campaigns, and a small resale line of Coleman and Champion generators tied to the Disaster Relief program. In-kind contributions of vehicles from HealthEast Medical Transportation Service and CAD infrastructure from Emware Emergency Systems Inc. have been material to operations. The customer base is the disabled community in Minnesota, with no geographic expansion beyond the state.

Name

Minnesota Emergency Disability Services

Legal name

Minnesota Emergency Disability Services

Website

https://trapride.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Minnesota Emergency Disability Services is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit in St. Paul that provides emergency transport of assistive mobility devices, disaster relief communications, and safety lighting systems to the Minnesota disability community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Emergency Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Social Assistance (624), Ambulance Services (62191)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs & Senior Transportation Services (TLAFAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) & Wheelchair/Stretcher Transport (HLAFANAJ), Emergency Response, Assistance & Medical Evacuation Services (THACAEAC), Transportation & Errands (Non-Emergency) (HLADAGAF)

Keywords

• Disability emergency services
• Nonprofit disability support
• Emergency transportation services
• Disaster relief services
• Mobility safety equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Minnesota City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization raises funds through Go Fund Me campaigns, fundraising events, and general donations to support operations and keep services low-cost or free.
2. Grants: MEDS receives grant funding from foundations including F. R. Bigelow Foundation and St. Paul Foundation to support specific programs like Trap Ride.
3. Product Resales: MEDS acts as a reseller of Coleman and Champion Generator products for use in Disaster Relief Programs, generating revenue through product sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Minnesota Emergency Disability Services (MEDS) is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides emergency and safety programs tailored to the disability community. Its core offerings include the Trap Ride Program (low-cost transport of assistive mobility devices when users become separated during emergencies), Disability Disaster Relief (emergency communications, power, medical supplies, and transport via a fully-equipped mobile command center during natural disasters), and the Mobility Awareness Safety System (add-on lighting harness for wheelchairs and scooters).

Product overview

Minnesota Emergency Disability Services (MEDS) is a nonprofit organization offering a suite of emergency and safety programs for the disability community. The core offerings include the Trap Ride Program (transporting stranded assistive mobility devices), Disability Disaster Relief (emergency communications and aid during natural disasters), the Mobility Awareness Safety System (add-on lighting for wheelchairs/scooters), and a mobile Communications Command Center. The organization previously participated in Project Lifesaver (wander prevention tracking) but has discontinued that program. MEDS operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with an all-volunteer staff.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trap Ride Program Low-cost transportation service for disabled persons' assistive mobility devices (wheelchairs, scooters) when the consumer and/or chair are stranded or separated due to emergency situations such as device breakdowns, battery failures away from home, medical emergencies requiring ambulance transport, or other emergency separations.
• Disability Disaster Relief Emergency disaster relief services for the disability community during natural disasters such as tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, providing communications via two-way radios, internet, and satellite; power; medical supplies; and transport through a fully-equipped field command center.
• Mobility Awareness Safety System Add-on lighting harness system for assistive mobility devices (wheelchairs, scooters) that allows physically challenged consumers to navigate outdoors safely in traffic, inclement weather, fog, or low-visibility conditions. Available in two configurations: basic running lights (headlights and taillights) and a series of safety flashing lights, with an optional safety horn.
• Communications Command Center Fully operational mobile command center vehicle powered by Emware.com's CAD dispatch management system, providing state-of-the-art emergency communications for mobile teams. Used to deploy the Trap Ride program and Disaster Relief services in the field.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Emware Emergency Systems Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationDonated a dispatch management system (CAD system) as a major piece of infrastructure for the command center, enabling state-of-the-art emergency communications capabilities.
• HealthEast Medical Transportation ServiceminorOthersDonated an ambulance and wheelchair accessible van to support MEDS operations including Trap Ride program transportation.
• ColemanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMEDS is an authorized reseller of Coleman Generator products for use in Disaster Relief Programs.
• Champion Power EquipmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMEDS is an authorized reseller of Champion Generator products for use in Disaster Relief Programs.
• Project Lifesaver InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer partnership ended due to lack of public support. Previously provided wrist/bracelet transmitters with silent tracking signals for wandering prevention among cognitively impaired individuals. Contact: Bob Parrott 651.285.0269.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Modivcare (formerly MTM Transit): National non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) and ambulance services provider serving Medicaid and Medicare populations. Comparable to MEDS' Trap Ride program in transporting disabled individuals with adaptive equipment, but as a large for-profit operator serving many states.
• The Arc: National disability advocacy and services organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Overlaps with MEDS' assistive-mobility and cognitive-impairment service populations but at a national policy and program scale.
• Easterseals: Large national nonprofit delivering disability and special needs services, including transportation, emergency support, and accessibility programs. Comparable in mission focus on the disability community but operates at far greater scale and geographic breadth than MEDS.
• American Red Cross: Largest U.S. disaster relief and emergency response organization. Comparable to MEDS' Disability Disaster Relief program in providing emergency communications, power, and supplies during disasters, but operates nationally with paid staff and large donor infrastructure.

Direct peers

• National Organization on Disability (NOD): National nonprofit advancing disability inclusion and emergency preparedness for the disability community. Overlaps with MEDS on emergency preparedness and disability advocacy missions, but operates as a national policy and employer-focused organization.
• Project Lifesaver International: Provider of wander-prevention tracking for cognitively impaired individuals — the program MEDS previously ran. Directly comparable mission, target population (Alzheimer's, dementia, autism), and technology (radio-frequency bracelets) overlap with MEDS' discontinued service line.
• Centers for Independent Living (CILs): Federally funded grassroots disability services organizations providing transportation, advocacy, and emergency support for independent living. Highly comparable in nonprofit model, target population, and community-led service delivery, though CILs operate within a federal funding framework.

Others

• Life Alert (LifeStation): Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) provider offering medical alert devices to seniors and disabled individuals. Adjacent to MEDS' safety/emergency services mission but commercially positioned; useful as a commercialization reference for the Mobility Awareness Safety System.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/MinnesotaEDS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/minnesota-emergency-disability-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Minnesota Emergency Disability Services