Celebrating Excellence in California EMS: 2025 CAASE Award Winners

Source: California Ambulance Association

MONTEREY, CA—The 2025 California Ambulance Association Service Excellence Awards (CAASE) were presented at this year’s CAA Annual Conference in Monterey. The awards shine a spotlight on the very best of California EMS, with companies submitting entries across four categories:

• Community Impact Program: Recognizing initiatives that positively affect local communities.
• Clinical Outcome Project: Highlighting projects that improve patient care and clinical results.
• Innovation in EMS: Celebrating creative solutions and advancements in emergency medical services.
• Employee Programs: Acknowledging efforts that enhance employee development and satisfaction.

After rigorous scrutiny from a panel of judges led by EMS Administrators Association of California (EMSAAC) Chair, Shaun Vincent, and CAA Executive Director Rob Lawrence, the winners in each category were revealed. These four projects that demonstrate how California providers are leading the way in patient care, innovation, and workforce support.

Community Impact Program Winner: Medic Ambulance Service – Fall Prevention Program

Solano County residents are safer at home thanks to Medic Ambulance Service’s Keep the Beat Foundation and its Fall Prevention Program, which claimed the Community Impact Award.

Launched in January 2025, the program provides no-cost home assessments and safety improvements for seniors and disabled individuals. In less than a year, it has reached 51 clients, made 99 home visits, installed 76 grab bars, 22 ramps, and distributed nearly 90 pieces of durable medical equipment.

Backed by initial funding from Medic Ambulance and partnerships with community organizations like Meals on Wheels, the program has already changed lives. Seniors who once feared falling now report greater independence and confidence in their daily activities. With fundraising underway for future years, the initiative is a model of proactive, preventative community care.

Clinical Outcome Project Winner: American Medical Response – 9-1-1 Nurse Navigation

American Medical Response (AMR) earned the Clinical Outcome Award for its transformative 911 Nurse Navigation program, which is changing how emergency calls are handled nationwide.

Instead of sending ambulances to every 9-1-1 call, the program connects lower-acuity patients with licensed nurses who assess needs and direct them to more appropriate care, such as urgent care centers, telehealth, or clinics. First piloted in Washington, D.C., in 2018, the model has now expanded to more than two dozen locations, including El Cajon, Santa Clara, and soon Contra Costa and Riverside counties.

In El Cajon alone, more than 1,700 patients have been guided through the program, with 40% redirected away from crowded emergency departments—saving an estimated $1.5 million in healthcare costs. The benefits extend to EMS as well: increased ambulance availability, improved response times, and higher provider morale. Heartland Fire Chief Bent Koch summed it up best: “Nurse Navigation is an incredibly effective tool for providing 9-1-1 callers with the most appropriate care.”

Innovation in EMS Winner: Falck Mobile Health Corporation – Sensory Support for Neurodiverse Patients

Falck Mobile Health Corporation, Orange County, took home the Innovation in EMS Award for its pioneering approach to caring for neurodiverse and autistic patients.

Recognizing the lack of EMS-specific training for this growing population—1 in 22 children in California are now diagnosed with autism—Falck adapted law enforcement’s INTERAC curriculum into an EMS-focused program. Paramedics and EMTs received hands-on, scenario-based training on autism recognition, communication strategies, and de-escalation techniques.

The standout feature is the deployment of Sensory Support Bags on Falck units. Stocked with noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, fidget tools, puppets, and communication boards, the bags help reduce stress and improve communication during emergency encounters. Early results show both providers and patients benefit—clinicians feel more confident, while patients experience calmer, safer care.

Employee Programs Winner: LifeLine-EMS – Mentor in Your Pocket

LifeLine-EMS was recognized in the Employee Programs category for its Mentor in Your Pocket initiative, a partnership with InCheck that delivers real-time mentorship and support to field providers.

The suite of tools includes Rampart, an AI-driven clinical mentor that offers immediate treatment guidance; Nova, a real-time medical translation service; Angel, an interactive database of policies and procedures; and El Chat, a flexible assistant for day-to-day operational needs.

The results have been striking: 100% compliance with CAAS accreditation, a $150,000 reduction in legal costs, and widespread adoption by staff—over 500 active users with 62% engaging every shift. More importantly, crews report feeling empowered, supported, and more confident in both clinical and operational decision-making.

For LifeLine, the initiative has transformed workplace culture, proving that investment in employee support is also an investment in patient safety and organizational resilience.

A Showcase of Service Excellence

This year’s CAASE winners reflect the breadth of innovation and dedication across California EMS—from community-based prevention and patient navigation to workforce empowerment and groundbreaking neurodiverse care. Each project highlights a different way ambulance services are rising to meet today’s challenges, delivering solutions that improve patient outcomes, strengthen providers, and deepen community trust.

Together, they set a high bar for what excellence in EMS looks like today—and tomorrow.

Read more about the California Ambulance Association CAASE Awards at www.the-caa.org/caase-awards.