The Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services has officially honored Jim Green of the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health upon the event of his retirement from his long-term government career.
“Jim Green has been a major driver in advancing ambulance safety into this modern era,” stated Mark Van Arnam, Administrator of the CAAS Ground Vehicle Standard. “His tireless work and determination over the past twenty years has led to the development of the SAE Ambulance Safety Standards that greatly improve ambulance safety and have likely already saved many lives.”
Jim was instrumental in spearheading a NIOSH project that identified critical areas of risk and safety for occupants of an ambulance. He was able to enjoin manufacturers, providers and a wide variety of agencies and organizations in a decades long industry wide effort which brought critical research and real science to address those areas and consequently improve EMS worker and patient safety.
“I know that when our team at NIOSH first took a look at worker seating and restraints, we never dreamed we would have an ability to meet and work with such a great group of people” stated Jim. “Heck, the project started with nothing more than a $25,000 investment from NIOSH and a simple idea. Industry commitment to the project was what gave others in government the confidence to fund so much of our work over the years.”
“Jim’s work and success in making an ambulance a safer place is well-known throughout the broad spectrum of the EMS industry,” according to Mark Postma, Past President of the American Ambulance Association. “All of us in EMS and our patients are benefitting from his efforts and expertise.”
Van Arnam added “Jim Green was also critical in the development of the CAAS Ground Vehicle Standard for Ambulances. There is no doubt his participation as one of our valued federal partners was a significant factor in making the GVS what it is today.”
Jim plans on staying connected with the EMS community on many levels. He intends to maintain his involvement with both the CAAS GVS and NFPA ambulance standards, as well as the SAE Truck Crashworthiness Committee. He is also currently working with NASEMSO on a research project to develop safety standards for pediatric transport. CAAS is pleased that Jim Green will continue to be a ready and valuable resource for the ambulance industry.