Wis. Rapids Fire Department Receives National Re-accreditation for EMS
For the City Times
WISCONSIN RAPIDS — The Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department has received reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services for it compliance with national standards of excellence.
Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department is one of two in the State of Wisconsin and one of over 180 ambulance services in the country to successfully complete the voluntary review process which included completion of a comprehensive application and on-site review by national experts in emergency medical services (EMS). With this achievement, Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department was the first ambulance service to be accredited in the State of Wisconsin.
The commission is a non-profit organization which was established to encourage and promote quality patient care in America’s standard medical transportation system. The primary focus of the commission’s standards is high-quality patient care.
“Accreditation represents our firm commitment to our patients and community,” said Wisconsin Rapids Fire Chief David A. Kerkman. “We continuously strive to commit towards excellence and we viewed accreditation as another step to reach this goal.”
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 relationship with other agencies, general public, and the medical community. The commission’s standards often exceed state or local licensing requirements.
“Our staff has been key to our successful completion of the process. I think it gives the feeling of prestige and pride to work in an accredited ambulance service,” said Kerkman. “Everyone here played a valuable role in our ability to meet the Commission’s high standards. We have achieved accreditation but I believe it can only be a stimulus for continued improvement.”