BREAKING NEWS – Marine Search & Rescue Chopper Crashes Near Yuma, Arizona
Retrospective on Welsh Ambulance Service troubles
Calgary Medics Dispute Backgrounder
EMS and the Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
CAAS Executive Director to Retire
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4 Killed in Marine helicopter crashÂ
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Retrospective on Welsh Ambulance Service Troubles
Ambulance service Mr. Fixit winning
Interim ambulance chief resigns
Ambulance Trust faces pounds 13m deficit
Police chief calls for improved ambulance service
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Calgary Medics’ Dispute Backgrounder
Alberta government moves to block paramedic strike
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Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Medical community’s response to the 35 W emergency
First responders share their stories
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Executive Director of the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services Set to Retire
Meredith Hellestrae, Executive Director of the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, (CAAS), has announced her intention to retire at the end of August, 2007. Meredith began working with CAAS in 1996 after a diverse career as teacher, publisher, and marketing/advertising executive. As CAAS Executive Director, her duties included the day-to-day administration of the commission’s activities; protecting the integrity of the CAAS quality standards; coordinating the activities of the board of directors, the Panel of Commissioners, site reviewer pool and special committees; acting as spokesperson with allied organizations, governmental agencies and the media; representing the interests of CAAS-accredited agencies; and overseeing all membership services.
During her eleven-year tenure with CAAS, Meredith helped to grow the organization from 40 accredited agencies to 107 today. She instituted a comprehensive marketing program and has been a key driver in helping to spread the word about the value of CAAS accreditation through published articles, brochures, and contributed book chapters; trade shows; journal advertising; and the like. Meredith helped develop and conduct more than 26 seminars across the U.S. to educate EMS agencies about the CAAS accreditation process. In 2000, she helped to coordinate the first major revision of the CAAS accreditation standards and assisted with all subsequent revisions to date. She has been instrumental in gaining recognition of CAAS in the licensure process of a number of U.S. states and has helped lead CAAS’ expansion into Canada and other international locations. Meredith’s dedication to excellence and heartfelt support of the CAAS mission has contributed to CAAS’ growth as a strong, vibrant organization.
In retirement, “Mama CAAS†as Meredith is known to many of her EMS colleagues, hopes to find ways to educate a broader audience about the important role EMS plays in today’s medical care. She is looking forward to more time in her garden, reading, volunteering, taking courses, painting, writing, making music, and spending more time with family and friends.
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Two South Africa paramedics killed in road smash
SOUTH AFRICA NEWS
** Two Johannesburg area paramedics have been killed in a collision with a bakery truck.
That is the word from News 24 (August 9) which said the 5 a.m. accident 35 kilometres from Polokwane also claimed the lives of a patient and truck driver. According to police, the head-on highway crash played with the advanced paramedic and driver of the unit dying at the scene. The roadway remained closed for three hours following the smash-up. PNN will keep you posted as more information becomes available.
Other ambulance accident stories on South Africa:
Five injured in ambulance crash, Polokwana
Nurse killed in ambulance accident
Damages for ambulance accident
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Fatal EMS air crash victims identified
photo of air ambulance crash wreckage
UNITED STATES NEWS
** New Mexico authorities have now identified the air ambulance personnel killed in Sunday’s Devil’s Canyon crash. The Associated Press (Sue Major Holmes/August 7) said Prescott Valley, Arizona paramedic Deanna Palmer, 40, was among the dead. Palmer, who had logged only one month on the job at the time of her death, was killed alongside Roswell flight nurse Brian Miller, 44, and Southwest Medevac pilot Ricky Byers, 56. Byers hailed from Dimmitt, Texas. A mother and her 15-month-old baby also perished. Investigators, meanwhile, continue to search for what caused the Beechcraft King Air E-90 to plunge so soon after takeoff. Southwest spokesman Rob Campion confirmed the incident is a first for the company which has been in business since 1994. Funerals for the aircrew are pending.
Related articles on air ambulance safety:
Air ambulance fights proposed safety rules
Air ambulance safety addressed:Government urges tougher standard
Safety record of air ambulance industry under scrutiny
