Delaware County EMS on July 31 reported earning Commission on Accreditation for Prehospital Care (CAPC) accreditation and a perfect score with zero deficiencies during a recent Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) site visit, achievements officials said make the agency among a small number nationally to hold both distinctions.

"This makes us one of the few agencies in the nation and the only government EMS agency in Ohio to hold this distinction," Director Jeff Fischel told commissioners. He described the awards as third-party validation of the agency's quality and accountability. "Third-party verification of quality removes bias and provides objective proof that we meet or exceed the national standards," he said.

Fischel singled out Ben Berger, who oversees compliance and accreditation, and asked the board to recognize him. "He submitted thousands of pages of documentation and ensured we exceeded more than 300 national standards," Fischel said. He added that one on-site reviewer described Delaware County EMS as "elite." The director said the agency had earned honors from the American Heart Association for heart attack and stroke care and that the CAS review team appeared to have awarded a perfect score, with formal CAAS board approval expected at its August meeting.

Commissioners and county staff thanked the EMS team for its work. Administrator Tracy Davies, who attended the debriefing with on-site reviewers, said they were complimentary of the quality of employees and station visits. Fischel said the recognition reflects cooperation across county departments, including fleet, facilities, HR and dispatch.

No formal board action was required to receive the update; staff said the CAAS formal approval is pending in August and that county officials would return to the board to honor the team once CAAS finalizes the accreditation status.