AirCARE1, an Air Ambulance provider, receives recognition from FAA for their Accepted Safety Management System Program

AirCARE1 received FAA recognition of an accepted Safety Management System Program earlier this year establishing their formal alignment with international safety standards. While the United States does not yet have a mandated SMS for Part 135 Operators, the FAA recognizes those organizations who have voluntarily made the effort to implement an accepted program. An FAA-accepted Safety Management System is also recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization. AirCARE1 is among roughly 5% of Part 135 Operators who currently have an FAA-accepted SMS program.

AirCARE1 Safety Standards

AirCARE1's existence originated from the need for higher safety standards in the Air Ambulance industry. Therefore, AirCARE1 has made safety risk management a cornerstone of the company's values and is foundational to their everyday culture. To demonstrate their commitment to safety risk management, AirCARE1 chose to implement a voluntary Safety Management System program (SMSVP) that could be recognized by a state authority.

AirCARE1 is committed to providing superior care and believes that the key factor in doing so is to create a safe environment for patients, their family members, and employees.

What Is a Safety Management System?

A Safety Management System (SMS) is a formal, systematic and proactive approach to managing safety risk. It's a structured process implemented across an organization that includes four main components including policy, risk management, assurance, and promotion.

To be accepted by the FAA, AirCARE1 (a Part 135 Operator) went through a 16-month evaluation period of their safety practices. During this period AirCARE1 defined their safety objectives and the responsibilities of their employees in regard to safety risk management. They controlled safety risks by identifying hazards and analyzing risk factors to make improvements to flight operations. They ensured the effectiveness of safety risk controls through consistent data collection and analysis. Finally, AirCARE1 demonstrated how staff are trained in safety risk management and invited to openly communicate safety concerns to support the safety culture within the company.

Benefits of Managing Safety with the FAA Voluntary, Formal, SMS

There are many benefits for AirCARE1, and the patients they transport, in aligning their SMS with the FAAs SMS Voluntary Program. Most importantly, the main goal is to foster the safety culture within the company and support a proactive approach to identifying and addressing problems before they occur. For patients, AirCARE1's commitment to safety risk management provides an extra level of comfort and peace of mind, giving them increased confidence that the company operates to the highest safety standards. Finally, FAA recognition allows AirCARE1 to recruit high-caliber staff members who are equally dedicated to contributing to the company's safety culture and provide their patients with superior care.