What is CAAS? CAAS is the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services. It is an independent commission that establishes standards for the ambulance service industry. It is headed by a board of directors, which includes representation from the American Ambulance Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Association of EMS Physicians, the National Association of EMTs, and the National Association of EMS Directors, along with representation from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.

    Being CAAS Accredited shows that we have met the "gold standard" for ambulance services. This "gold standard" usually exceeds the standards that local and state governments put in place for ambulance services. These standards increase efficiency of operations and quality of service and care to patients, along with decreasing liability and risk to the employer. The process of becoming and remaining CAAS Accredited is twofold, a self-assessment is completed and an external review team visits to verify compliance to the requirements. Once CAAS Accredited, a company is up for re-accreditation every three years and must maintain current CAAS Standards and meet any new standards to become re-accredited.

    There are more than 160 ambulance services nationwide that are CAAS accredited. WDMEMS/IA EMS Alliance has been accredited since 2001. We are one of only three CAAS Accredited Ambulance Services in Iowa.

    For further information on CAAS and how to become CAAS Accredited, please visit the CAAS website at www.caas.org.