Photo/Seminole County Fire Department

The Seminole County Fire Department (SCFD) was recently awarded the “gold standard” by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS). This is the fourth time SCFD has been CAAS reaccredited and the department was first accredited in 2010. There are only 30 fire departments in the United States that are CAAS accredited. In total, there are 185 CAAS-accredited agencies in the United States and only 22 CAAS-accredited agencies in the state of Florida.

Accreditation is considered one of the highest standards of professionalism across public safety agencies. It is based on the department’s demonstrated commitment to a body of standards deemed essential to the safety and health of the public.

“We are proud of this reaccreditation that reinforces Seminole County’s high-quality EMS system that serves our community,” said Amy Lockhart, chair of the Seminole County Board of County Commissioners.

“Upwards of 75% of all our response calls by our EMTs and paramedics are emergency medical care related,” said Fire Chief Matt Kinley. “Last year, SCFD responded to more than 25,700 EMS calls. We are committed to continually offering the highest standard of quality care before hospital transfer. I thank the 550-plus men and women in the Seminole County Fire Department who are dedicated to this standard of excellence that they provide to citizens on a daily basis.”

CAAS re-accreditation occurs every three years. This process includes a comprehensive self-assessment and an independent external review by the EMS organization. The accreditation process examines all aspects of ambulance operations and emergency medical services, from administrative and finance to community education, quality control, injury and illness prevention, safe operations, medical protocols, medical direction, interagency relations and quality of patient care.