Recommends "Rolling" Safety Stand Downs For Medevac Operators

The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) tells ANN the group is deeply saddened by the recent accidents and incidents in air medical transport.  In response, the bereaved community announced the following immediate action items:

• AAMS continues support for H.R. 3939, a bill to increase the safety for crew and passengers on an aircraft providing emergency medical services. This bill would make the necessary, practical regulatory and other changes within the air medical community to promote a safe transport environment for both patients and air medical crews while continuing to provide desperately needed air medical transport to the critically ill and injured.
• AAMS is actively coordinating a meeting to continue effective dialogue between FAA Representatives and Air Medical aviation experts to be held in Washington, DC. The purpose of this meeting is to study the recent challenges and identify short and long term interventions to mitigate risk and increase safety.
• AAMS is holding a full day Safety Summit in Dallas, TX on Friday, July 25, 2008. At this meeting, the air medical community will join forces to identify effective safety culture and operational enhancements, and pursue a strategy for timely implementation.
• AAMS is recommending an industry "rolling" safety stand down to focus the attention of the air medical crew on safety while continuing the ability to provide life saving services to their local communities.

The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is the trade association serving the entire air and critical care ground medical transport community. AAMS strives to enhance the medical transport industry by promoting the highest level of industry safety; promoting quality patient care; inspiring commitment to the industry’s work, causes, and viability; and providing superior service to its members.

FMI: www.aams.org