CAA Groups

Aeromedical Forum	Aeromedical services provide critical assistance in demanding settings including inaccessible rural and remote regions. The skills and expertise of the flight teams, including doctors, paramedics and pilots working in this field of paramedicine face unique challenges. The Forum has been established to develop a comprehensive knowledge base of this area of paramedic practice and augment the work undertaken in various regions across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Ambulance Education Committee (AEC)	The AEC has played an important role in the assessment and accreditation of ambulance education programs and professional practice. Following the introduction of the national registration for paramedics in Australia and New Zealand, the role of CAA’s Paramedic Education Program Accreditation Scheme (PEPAS) has changed. The AEC continues to coordinate and improve information exchange on matters relevant to training and ongoing professional development of under-graduate programs, and looks with growing interest at the post graduate education. The newly established Australasian Council of Paramedicine Deans has a place on the Committee to ensure that services’ educational leads have direct access to the education sector, allowing for ongoing communication and valuable relationships.
Clinical and Patient Safety Committee	This committee provides opportunities for Medical Directors and Clinical Managers of member services in the pre-hospital sector, to consider clinical matters relevant to the provision of quality ambulance services and provide recommendations as requested by the CAA Board. The committee supports sharing of clinical research across all jurisdictions and encourages extensive collaboration amongst CAA member services as well as external partners such as universities etc.
Emergency Management Committee (EMC)	The Emergency Management Committee provides advice to the CAA Board on issues including the impact on resources, national standards and technical advice related to emergency management. It considers the role of ambulance services in major emergencies and seeks to ensure the implementation of lessons learned from significant incidents, such as the introduction of a national standard triage tag system for emergencies. Committee members represent the CAA on a range of national committees to ensure the ambulance agenda is effectively and accurately portrayed in emergency management matters across a range of areas including the Australian Health Protection Principle Committee (AHPPC).
Fleet and Equipment Forum	The Forum was established to provide a meeting point for services to address common challenges regarding the acquisition and maintenance of fleets and equipment. The forum addresses the unique requirements of ambulance fleets and ensures ongoing oversight of their maintenance, equipment, infection control procedures amid other essential features to ensure safe and effective service. The Fleet Forum provides a useful link for services and address challenges which may not previously have been recognised as universal, but often are and can range from incorporating new vehicles into the system to equipment recalls.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum	Good mental health and wellbeing is essential for a resilient workforce and a supportive workplace. It has particular significance for first responders, including call takers and paramedics, who constantly contend with confronting and sometimes traumatic situations. The forum plays a critical role in ensuring the sector is kept well informed about the latest research, best practice and strategies to help deliver optimum support for services' staff experiencing difficulties in their professional and private lives. The forum also supports services in their implementation of the CAA Health and Wellbeing 10-step program designed to minimize the risk of psychological harm, and actively promotes the annual Global Mental Health Day on October 10.
Operations Committee (OPS)	The Operations Committee provides a forum to debate and assess current issues in ambulance service delivery and bring together the Operational leads of all CAA member services. The committee's agenda includes new technology, industrial relations, workforce trends and other issues pertinent to operational running of ambulance services.
Quality Standards and Accreditation Forum	The Quality Standards Forum has been established to help services work towards achieving accreditation from the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) and support NZ members in their accreditation practices (NZS8156 and ISO 9000). South Australia Ambulance Service was first of Australian services to voluntarily attain accreditation against the NQSHC standards following the rigorous assessment process. It now offers ongoing support and advice to other member services.
Strategic Business Committee	The Strategic Business Committee is CAA’s key advisory group providing strategic direction, business development, resourcing, planning and reporting. It provides oversight of the CAA’s data collection including the comprehensive collation of statistics for the annual Report on Government Services (ROGS) and a comprehensive CAA Patient Experience Survey. The work undertaken by the committee plays a significant part in profiling and advancing the role and the goals of ambulance services.
Women In Ambulance Forum	The Women in Ambulance Forum is a space for women within CAA’s member ambulance services to discuss changes, challenges, and learnings with each other. In a pre-dominantly male profession, it is important for women to have the opportunity to exchange their insights and share their views in a supported environment. The forum seeks to address the challenges and adversities for women in the pre-hospital sector by encouraging leadership development and mentoring; creating networking opportunities; and facilitating research and data collection to ensure a progressive and multi-faceted workforce.