North Ridgeville Fire Department Receives "Gold Standard" Accreditation

The North Ridgeville Fire Department achieved the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) accreditation. With a perfect score, the Fire Department was granted a three-year accreditation. The North Ridgeville Fire Department is now one of 170 CAAS accredited emergency medical services in North America and one of only five in the State of Ohio.

CAAS was established to encourage and promote quality patient care in America’s medical transportation system. Based initially on the efforts of the American Ambulance Association, the independent Commission established a comprehensive series of standards for the ambulance service industry.

Accreditation signifies that the North Ridgeville Fire Department has met the “gold standard” determined by the ambulance industry to be essential in a modern emergency medical services provider. These standards often exceed those established by state or local regulation. The CAAS standards are designed to help increase operational efficiency and decrease risk and liability across the entire spectrum of the organization.

The process includes a comprehensive self-assessment and an independent external review of the EMS organization. This independent process provides verification to your Board of Directors, city council, medical community and others that quality care is provided to the community.

“Achieving this accreditation shows our commitment to patient care and the safety of our residents, visitors and employees,” said Fire Chief John Reese. “It also confirms our commitment to make North Ridgeville a safe community.”