Air ambulance provider AirCare1 received recognition for its safety management system (SMS) under the FAA voluntary program. The Phoenix-based organization called safety risk management a cornerstone of its operations and said it chose to implement the voluntary program—ahead of the Part 135 mandate—to demonstrate that commitment to safety risk management.
FAA acceptance followed a 16-month evaluation period of AirCare1’s safety practices. During the process, the company demonstrated the four pillars of its SMS program: AirCare1 defined its safety objectives and employee responsibilities surrounding safety risk management; demonstrated its safety risk management by identifying hazards and analyzing risk factors to make improvements to flight operations; demonstrated the effectiveness of safety risk controls through consistent data collection and analysis; and showed how staff are trained in safety risk management and invited to communicate safety concerns openly.
The company touted the numerous benefits of the program, including fostering its safety culture and supporting a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential problems before they occur. For the patient, AirCare1 added, it provides an extra level of peace of mind and increased confidence that the company is operating to the highest standards.