CAAS Newsletter – Spring 2018


Recent CAAS Accreditations
In February, the CAAS Panel of Commissioners granted new CAAS accreditation to one agency:
  • Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Additionally, the following five agencies were granted re-accreditation:
  • Action Ambulance Service (Wilmington, MA)
  • American Ambulance (Fresno, CA)
  • Cape Fear Valley Mobile Integrated Health/Cumberland County (Fayetteville, NC)
  • Cumberland Goodwill EMS (Carlisle, PA)
  • TransCare Medical Transportation Services (Tampa, FL)
Congratulations to all our initial and re-accrediting agencies for a job well done!

CAAS Standards Revision Effort Starts Out Strong
Last month, CAAS called for volunteers to apply for the CAAS Standards Revision Committee and the response was tremendous.  CAAS is now actively reviewing all of the applications received with the goal of choosing a committee that includes a balanced group of individuals selected based upon areas of experience and expertise as pertaining to the CAAS standards and the EMS industry. Once finalized, the objective of the CAAS Standards Revision Committee is to review the existing CAAS Accreditation Standards Version 3.0, and to develop proposed revisions or additions to the standards as necessary.

CAAS Resource Group Workshop – September in Las Vegas
For 2018 we will be trying a new educational approach which is a day-long  resource group workshop that will bring CAAS agencies, staff, reviewers and applicants together and review a broad spectrum of materials and issues related to CAAS.  This day-long meeting will be held in conjunction with the AAA Conference which is being held September 6-8 at the MGM Grand Hotel in downtown Las Vegas.  The tentative date for the workshop will be September 5th.  More details will be forthcoming.

CAAS Ground Vehicle Standard Updates
GVS_2015_12BD_final.jpg?r=1513816086361The GVS Remount Standard development project is progressing on schedule. The Remount Standard Work Group will meet in person for the third time on April 11 in Charlotte, NC at the new MEDIC – Mecklenberg EMS Agency headquarters from 8 am to 4 pm.  Interested parties are welcome to attend.  After this meeting, it is the intent of the group to deliver a draft Remount Standard to the main CAAS GVS Committee later in 2018.
The CAAS GVS Committee will convene in the second half of 2018 to start development of the CAAS GVS V2.0 document. This new document will include updates from the V1.0 revision, as well as potentially incorporating a new Remount Standard. CAAS GVS V2.0 will be published in early 2019, with a July 2019 effective date.

Prepare for CAAS Accreditation – Online Seminar Available
Covering the same material offered during CAAS’s full-day in-person seminar, this three-part on-demand webinar series (5.5 hours of education) will explain all aspects of the CAAS Standards and the application process.
Learn How To:AccreditationSeminarinitialscreen.jpg
  • Plan and budget for accreditation
  • Recognize and maximize the value of accreditation for your organization
  • Motivate staff for accreditation
  •  Understand and apply CAAS standards to your organization
  • Prepare your application
  • Develop application documentation
  • Use the paperless submission process
Bonus Offer
Purchase on the Online Seminar entitles you to a copy of the CAAS Standards ($30 value) and the CAAS Application ($125 value).  What’s more, you can share this online seminar with other interested individuals within your agency.

Promote Your CAAS Accreditation Through the CAAS Website
Every month, the CAAS website receives thousands of visitors.  The website is designed to illustrate the benefits of accreditation to those considering it, and to highlight agencies who have already achieved accreditation.
If you are an accredited agency, please consider sharing photos of your agency in action. 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 Resource Center.

CAAS Seeks EMS Medical Directors as Site Reviewers
Photo_of_Doctor.jpgCAAS 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.

Upcoming Events for CAAS in 2018

CAAS will be attending and/or exhibiting at these upcoming meetings – please plan to stop by our exhibit booth.
May 2-3 Midwest EMS Expo  
Lacrosse, WI
May 30-31 2018 Annual EMSAAC Conference  
Coronado, CA
June 11-13 Fire-Rescue Med 2018  
Henderson, NV
July 23-27 Pinnacle EMS  
Phoenix, AZ
September 6-8 2018 AAA Annual Conference and Tradeshow  
Las Vegas, NV