Accreditation signifies that your service has met the "gold standard" determined by the ambulance industry to be essential in a modern emergency medical services provider. These standards often exceed those established by state or local regulation.  The CAAS standards are designed to help increase operational efficiency and decrease risk and liability across the entire spectrum of the organization.

The process includes a comprehensive self-assessment and an independent external review of the EMS organization. This independent process provides verification to your Board of Directors, city council, medical community and others that quality care is provided to the community.

All ambulance systems are eligible for the three-year accreditation including private, public, fire department and hospital-based.

The Commission's Board of Directors includes representatives of six national EMS-related organizations:

* AMERICAN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION
* AMERICAN COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY PHYSICIANS
* INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS
* NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EMS PHYSICIANS
* NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF EMTs
* NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE EMS DIRECTORS

With liaison representation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

To find the answer to your CAAS related question, first try the CAAS FAQ area.
If you need to ask a question, then use: Ask CAAS (online support system)
To talk directly with a CAAS Accreditation support specialist, try the CAAS Helpline, call: 1-877-457-CAAS (2227).
To reach the CAAS Headquarters by phone, call 847-657-6828.
To send CAAS a fax: 847-657-6825
Send mail to:
CAAS
1926 Waukegan Road, Suite 1
Glenview, Illinois 60025-1770
E-mail: sarahm@tcag.com

© 2010 by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), Glenview, Illinois. All rights reserved.