CAAS Announces Interim Administrator for Ground Vehicle Standard (GVS)
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GLENVIEW, ILLINOIS – February 2, 2023 – The Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) is pleased to announce that Mark Postma has accepted the position of Interim Administrator for CAAS’s Ground Vehicle Standard. Mark Postma succeeds Mark Van Arnam, who held the Administrator position from the inception of the Ground Vehicle Standard in 2014. Van Arnam leaves CAAS to take on the role of President of the REV Ambulance Group.
CAAS Chair Dale Berry said “CAAS wishes to extend its deep-felt appreciation for the tremendous contributions that Mark Van Arnam has provided over the last 7 years. Tapping into his significant industry expertise and passion for creating standards that improve ground vehicle safety, Mark Van Arnam was instrumental in establishing the CAAS Ground Vehicle Standard as the emergency transportation’s preferred standard. Our industry is safer because of Mark Van Arnam’s commitment and passion.”
In announcing Postma’s new interim role within CAAS, Dale Berry, said; “CAAS is extremely fortunate to have someone with Mark Postma’s experience and leadership abilities to continue the very successful launch and ongoing development of the Ground Vehicle Standard. Mark Postma has been the CAAS GVS Committee Co-Chair since 2016 and has a depth of knowledge that ensures a seamless transition. Mark Postma started as a paramedic over 40 years ago and continues as an esteemed leader in the EMS field.”
About the CAAS Ground Vehicle Standard (GVS)
Starting in 2014, CAAS established a Vehicle Standard Committee to develop consensus-based ground ambulance vehicle standards called GVS. Thanks to the hard work of this broad-based committee, the third significant update to the standard, GVS 3.0, was released in July 2022.
The new ambulance vehicle section of GVS V3.0 contains updates and edits from the prior version, and includes the latest safety, quality, and compliance requirements for new production ambulances. In addition, GVS V3.0 contains a comprehensive Remount Standard. The GVS Remount Standard provides minimum requirements for both Remounters and Remounted Ambulances, including specific requirements for vehicle production processes and quality control.
About the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS)
The Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) was established in 1993 to encourage and promote quality patient care in America’s medical transportation system. CAAS is an independent Commission that established a comprehensive series of standards for the ambulance service industry. CAAS accreditation signifies that an ambulance 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 increase operational efficiency and clinical quality, while decreasing risk and liability to the organization.
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Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS)
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Savvik | 5.11 Boots 25% off Retail
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US Ambulances for Ukraine
As we start the new year, US Ambulances for Ukraine continues to actively seek donated used ambulances from across the United States to send to Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, 2022, US Ambulances for Ukraine, in collaboration with the Ukrainian Consulate in Chicago has successfully delivered 18 American ambulances to Ukraine, many coming from members of the American Ambulance Association. In addition, another 10 ambulances and one fire engine are sailing across the Atlantic Ocean and will soon be delivered to Ukraine. Efforts are currently underway to make the next shipment of donated American ambulances the largest to date. The goal is to secure 22 ambulances to be shipped in late January or early February, which would bring the total number of donated ambulances from the United States to 50. If you have an ambulance that is mechanically sound that you are considering retiring or have one that isn’t needed anymore and would like to participate in this effort US Ambulances for Ukraine would love to hear from you. This group has a proven track record of successfully delivering ambulances to hospitals, military units, NGOs, fire departments and other entities operating in Ukraine. The group also continuously updates donors during the process and provides photographic updates of the ambulances once they have been delivered. Every donor knows exactly where their ambulance will be donated before it even leaves the United States.
The American Ambulance Association has followed the Twitter feed of US Ambulances for Ukraine @AmbulancesU and encourages you to do so as well. There you can see the latest updates on their efforts and several images of donated American ambulances in action. If you are interested in donating an ambulance or would like more information you can reach out to the founder of US Ambulances for Ukraine, Chris Manson, Vice President of Government Relations for OSF HealthCare at Christopher.M.Manson@osfhealthcare.org.
Happy Holidays!
Wishing America's #EMS professionals and their families a happy and healthy holiday season. Thank you for taking care of all of us, at a moment's notice. #SupportEMS #AlwaysOpen #NotJustaRide #HappyHolidays #HappyHolidays2022 pic.twitter.com/y40sZbahT0
— AmericanAmbulanceAsc (@amerambassoc) December 13, 2022
SAVVIK Foundation Study on Diversity in EMS
Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the emergency medical service community.
Delaware State University has teamed with the Savvik Foundation, a non-profit representing
emergency medical service (EMS) to assess equity within the EMS profession. We have created a tool to assess equity in the EMS profession.
Participants will be eligible to receive a $20 Amazon gift card upon completion of this survey. This information is confidential and anonymous. We will not be using your name in any publications regarding this process.
By responding to the questions, you are permitting us to use this information to guide
our recommendations and share our findings in articles.
If you have any questions regarding your participation in this study please contact the
principal investigator, Dr. Knolan Rawlins, at krawlins@desu.edu or Ms. Chanel Haman in
the Office of Sponsored Programs at 302.857.6834 or chaman@desu.edu.
Thank you,
Dr. Knolan Rawlins
Savvik |Ford Vehicles – 3 Day Order Window
2022 AAA Board of Directors Election Results
The winners of the 2022 AAA Board of Directors election are listed below. The term for each position will begin on January 1, 2023. For regions 1 and 3, two directors were chosen due to vacant positions. Please join us in thanking all candidates for their service to the American Ambulance Association.
President-Elect
Jamie Pafford-Gresham
Pafford EMS
Hope, AR
Treasurer
Julie Rose
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc.
Ashtabula, OH
Secretary
Wayne Jurecki
Bell Ambulance Service, Inc.
Milwaukee, WI
Region 1 Director – 3 Year Term
Dennis Cataldo
Cataldo Ambulance Service
Somerville, MA
Region 1 Director – 1 Year Term
Mike Addario
Global Medical Response
Baldwinsville, NY
Region 2 Director – 3 Year Term
Chuck Kearns
Mercy Ambulance Service, Inc
Savannah, GA
Region 3 Director – 3 Year Term
Tom Tornstrom
Gundersen Health System-Tri-State Ambulance
La Crosse, WI
Region 3 Director – 1 Year Term
Kyle Wolber
Superior Air-Ground Ambulance Service, Inc.
Winfield, IL
Region 4 Director – 3 Year Term
Allyson Pharr
Acadian Ambulance
Lafayette, LA
Region 5 Director – 3 Year Term
J.D. Fuiten
Metro West Ambulance
Hillsboro, OR
Ethics Committee
Hanan Cohen
Empress EMS
Region 1
Savvik | Summer of Gloves
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2022 AAA Board of Director Nominations Open
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Ukraine Relief | OSF Healthcare System
OSF Healthcare System of Peoria, Illinois, is working to organize donations of medical supplies and retired ambulances for Ukraine. Most recently, they were able to send 350 pallets of cargo in addition to an ambulance to assist.
If your organization would like to participate, please reach out to Christopher Manson, Vice President of Government Relations, at Christopher.M.Manson@osfhealthcare.org.
Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragic conflict.
Ukraine Relief | OSF Healthcare System
OSF Healthcare System of Peoria, Illinois, is working to organize donations of medical supplies and retired ambulances for Ukraine. Most recently, they were able to send 350 pallets of cargo in addition to an ambulance to assist.
If your organization would like to participate, please reach out to Christopher Manson, Vice President of Government Relations, at Christopher.M.Manson@osfhealthcare.org.
Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragic conflict.
NHTSA Names New Office of EMS Director
From NHTSA on January 13, 2022
Long-time OEMS Staff member assumes leadership role
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today announced that Gamunu Wijetunge, NRP, will assume the role of Director of the Office of EMS effective January, 29, 2022.
Gamunu “Gam” Wijetunge, who has worked within NHTSA’s Office of EMS for more than 20 years, is also a volunteer paramedic, fire captain and the president
of a volunteer rescue squad in Maryland. He will assume the director role — which is also responsible for the National 911 Program housed within the Office of EMS — following the retirement of Jon Krohmer, M.D., FACEP, FAEMS.
“For many years, Gam has been a leader within NHTSA’s Office of EMS, an
advocate for clinicians, and a trusted colleague for both Federal partners and Fire/EMS organizations,” said Dr. Krohmer. “His commitment to collaboration within the EMS community may be best illustrated through his stewardship of EMS Agenda 2050, which sets a clear path for the continued improvement of people-centered EMS systems for the next 30 years.”
Throughout his tenure at NHTSA, Gam has played an integral collaborative role in the development of EMS systems nationwide. These include leading efforts to:
- Develop evidence-based guidelines and tackle EMS system improvement issues
- Address recruiting, retention, clinician safety and other EMS workforce topics
- Improve national EMS preparedness through coordination with other Federal agencies
- Facilitate consensus and collaboration within leadership and working groups of the Federal Interagency Committee on EMS (FICEMS).
“I am thrilled to continue the office’s collaborative work side-by-side with our Federal partners, EMS stakeholders nationwide, and my colleagues at NHTSA,” said Gam. “I look forward to continuing Jon’s good work to support state, regional and local EMS and 911 agencies as we strive to advance our people-centered EMS and 911 systems.”
Wijetunge has a Bachelors’ Degree in Emergency Health Services from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Master of Public Management from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has several professional affiliations and has been recognized repeatedly for outstanding performance and federal service, including most recently the HHS/ASPR COVID-19 Pandemic Civilian Service Medal in 2021.
Congratulations to Gamunu Wijetunge, the newly-appointed Director of @NHTSAgov's Office of #EMS! We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure #mobilehealthcare excellence for all Americans. #SupportEMS #NotJustaRide #AlwaysOpen pic.twitter.com/qHO3REmlEk
— AmericanAmbulanceAsc (@amerambassoc) January 13, 2022
In Memory of Bill McCarthy
Many of you have likely heard the devastating news of the passing of Mr. Bill McCarthy, CEO of Coastal Health Systems of Brevard, on December 20, 2021. Bill was a dedicated leader in EMS and a dear friend and colleague to many. He served as the CEO of Coastal Health for 20 years and will always be remembered for the amazing work he did on behalf of Coastal Health and EMS providers in Florida. The American Ambulance Association Board of Directors extends their sincere condolences to Bill’s family, friends, and colleagues. Please see the Memorial Service information below.
Memorial Service for Bill McCarthy
Saturday, January 15th from 2-4pm ET
Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home
5400 Village Drive
Rockledge, Fl. 32955
Happy Holidays!
As we reflect on the challenges and triumphs of 2021, we wish #EMS providers and their families a happy holiday season and a joyous New Year. Thank you for your service to our communities, 24/7/365. #SupportEMS #mobilehealthcare #alwaysopen #NotJustaRide pic.twitter.com/hHxRqtbrkr
— AmericanAmbulanceAsc (@amerambassoc) December 20, 2021