CAA Groups

Aeromedical Working Group	Aeromedical services provide critical assistance in demanding settings include 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 Working Group 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 and New Zealand.
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, the role of AEC’s Paramedic Education Program Accreditation Scheme (PEPAS) has changed. The AEC will continue to coordinate and improve information exchange on matters relevant to training and ongoing professional development with a shift in focus to the growing interest in 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.
Clinical Forum	The Clinical Forum provides opportunities for Medical Directors and Clinical Managers of member services and on occasion, other specialists in the pre-hospital sector, to consider clinical matters relevant to the provision of quality ambulance services and also provide recommendations as requested by the CAA Board. The Forum supports sharing of clinical research across all jurisdictions and encourages extensive collaboration.
Emergency Management Forum (EMF)	The Emergency Management Forum 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. Forum 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 Working Group	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 traumatic situations. The working group 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 group also supports services in their implementation of the CAA Health and Wellbeing Strategy including a 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. The committee's agenda includes new technology, industrial relations, workforce trends and other issues pertinent to operational running of ambulance services.
Quality Standards Working Group	Ambulance services have an incomparable role in the health sector. CAA’s Australian and New Zealand ambulance service members represent some of the best in the world. The Quality Standards Working Group has been established to help services build on this outstanding reputation and their exemplary work to achieve accreditation from the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS). SA Ambulance Service was first to voluntarily attain accreditation against the NQSHC standards following the rigorous assessment process. It now offers ongoing support and advice to other member services.
Women In Leadership Working Group	The Women in Leadership working group is a forum for women leaders within CAA’s member ambulance services in Australia and New Zealand. 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. Strong collegiate support is imperative in a demanding profession and helps facilitate leadership aspirations. The working group 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.