MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 14, 2024) – Manatee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) for its compliance with national standards of excellence.
Manatee County EMS is one of less than 190 ambulance services in the country to successfully complete the voluntary review process which includes completion of a comprehensive application and on-site review by national experts in emergency medical services. With this achievement, Manatee County EMS becomes the 24th ambulance service to be accredited in the state of Florida.
“I think the biggest benefit to a CAAS accreditation really is down to not only just our employees but the end user of our service,” said James Crutchfield, Deputy Director of Public Safety and EMS Chief. “It assures them that the quality of care that they're receiving is top-notch. For employees, it assures them they're working for a well-rounded, well-funded and well-managed agency.”
The Commission is a non-profit organization which was established to encourage and promote quality patient care in America's medical transportation system. The primary focus of the Commission's standards is high-quality patient care. This is accomplished by establishing national standards which not only address the delivery of patient care but also the ambulance service's total operation and its relationships with other agencies, the general public and the medical community. The Commission's standards often exceed State or local licensing requirements.
“This accreditation is more than just a stamp of approval; it's a sound investment for taxpayers, ensuring their money supports a rigorously vetted EMS organization,” said Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Ray Turner. “It validates our ongoing efforts, showcasing our commitment to top-quality emergency medical services. Plus, it's an external review that promotes transparency and accountability in how we deliver care to the residents and visitors to Manatee County.”
Manatee County EMS will hold this accreditation for three years, after which the organization will once again be evaluated for reaccreditation.
Find out more about CAAS Accreditation