CAAS Ground Vehicle Standard (GVS) Update The CAAS Ground Vehicle Standard v.1.0 document goes into effect on July 1, 2016.
We have seen a tremendous amount of interest in the new standard from ambulance service providers, ambulance builders and state regulators. We have been advised by multiple states that they will be including CAAS GVS as an approved standard for the providers they regulate.
The standard has already been endorsed by the American Ambulance Association, as well as the Association of Air Medical Services. The GVS staff has made numerous presentations to EMS groups and conferences nationwide, and additional events are scheduled through the end of the year.
Please visit our GVS website at www.groundvehiclestandard.org for up-to-date information on GVS.
CAAS Panel of Commissioners Seeks New Medical Representative At the end of 2016, the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services will be replacing its medical representative on the CAAS Panel of Commissioners due to the completion of term limits. Owen T. Traynor, MD, has served expertly in this position for the past six years, and as panel chair for the past two of those years.
CAAS is now soliciting applications from qualified EMS physicians to fill the upcoming three year term, beginning in January 2017. If you know of anyone who may be interested in this position, we invite you to contact CAAS right away so that we may provide you with the necessary application and documents. Applications will be accepted now until September 9, 2016. Please contact the CAAS office at 847-657-6828 for additional information.
CAAS Standards Revisions
CAAS will soon begin the process of reviewing the current CAAS Standards (Version 3.0) per the ANSI accredited standards development process. If you are interested in learning more about the CAAS Standards revision process, please contact CAAS headquarters at 847-657-6828.
CAAS Grant Program Starts Again Soon
The Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) is pleased to announce the continuation of its accreditation grant program. As part of an effort to make accreditation more accessible and affordable to qualified agencies, CAAS will be offering limited grant funding toward the accreditation application fees. The CAAS grant funding will cover the application fee for accepted agencies, in an effort to reduce the financial impact of initial accreditation. CAAS will continue the grant program again this year, and will be accepting applications for consideration soon. Watch for an upcoming announcement in July.
Recent CAAS Accreditations
In May, the CAAS Panel of Commissioners granted CAAS accreditation to two new agencies:
Gold Cross EMS (Augusta, GA)
Taney County Ambulance District (Branson, MO)
Additionally, the following agencies were granted re-accreditation:
Eagle County Paramedic Services (Edwards, CO)
Jersey City Medical Center (Jersey City, NJ)
LifeCare Ambulance Service (Battle Creek, MI)
MONOC (Neptune, NJ)
Rural/Metro Medical Services (Rochester, NY)
In June, the CAAS Panel of Commissioners granted CAAS accreditation to four new agencies:
Henrietta Volunteer Ambulance (Rochester, NY)
Lee County EMS (Fort Myers, FL)
Oldham County EMS (La Grange, KY)
UnityPoint Health (Fort Dodge, IA)
In addition, the following agencies were granted re-accreditation:
Acadian Ambulance Service (Austin, TX)
Armstrong Ambulance Service (Arlington, MA)
Austin-Travis County EMS (Austin, TX)
Derry Fire Department (Derry, NH)
Elizabeth Township Area EMS (Buena Vista, PA)
MEDIC EMS (Davenport, IA)
MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service (Marietta, GA)
Paramedics Plus (San Leandro, CA)
Riggs Ambulance Service (Merced, CA)
West Des Moines EMS (Des Moines, IA)
Congratulations to all our initial and re-accrediting agencies for a job well done!
CAAS Accredited Agency Photos Needed The CAAS website (www.caas.org) has been revamped and redesigned with a modern look and responsive, mobile-friendly design. The new site is designed to illustrate the benefits of accreditation to those considering it, and to highlight agencies who have already achieved accreditation. To give the site a dynamic look, we plan to feature accredited agency photos throughout the site. We only require two things: every photo must have the CAAS logo visible somewhere in the photo and the agency needs to complete a photo release form. If you would like to share one of your photos, please visit the site’s new Resource Center.
CAAS Physician Site Reviewers Needed
CAAS is currently seeking active EMS Medical Directors interested in serving as CAAS site reviewers. If you know of a physician that might be interested in becoming a site reviewer, please contact the CAAS office at 847-657-6828 for additional information and application details.
Stay Up to Date with CAAS Via Social Networking
Have you visited any of our social media networking sites yet? CAAS is active on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Check in daily for the latest updates and announcements about CAAS and our accredited agencies. Get advanced notice of upcoming seminars, events and webinar sessions. Share some of your photos and accomplishments with others, and join in on discussions related to CAAS accreditation. Visit our sites and share with others to help us grow!
Upcoming meetings for CAAS
CAAS will be attending and/or exhibiting at these upcoming meetings – please plan to stop by our exhibit booth.
The CAAS Ground Vehicle Standard v.1.0 document goes into effect on July 1, 2016.
At the end of 2016, the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services will be replacing its medical representative on the CAAS Panel of Commissioners due to the completion of term limits. Owen T. Traynor, MD, has served expertly in this position for the past six years, and as panel chair for the past two of those years.
