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Despite rising costs, CoAEMSP has not increased site visit fees since 2012 and annual fees since 2017, despite significant increases in site visit travel costs. Current fees do not cover actual operating costs, forcing the organization to utilize reserve funding. The new fee structure approximates the fees if they had increased by 3% annually over the past decade.
The increased fees will allow CoAEMSP to more effectively address the needs of Paramedic education programs. New initiatives outlined in the strategic plan include:
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Launching technology solutions to streamline the accreditation process, including an accreditation management data platform;
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Redesigning the website to make information more accessible;
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Increasing the capacity of staff and volunteers to fully engage with programs throughout the accreditation process; and
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Conducting research and analysis to drive best practices for the profession.
The Board believes this investment in the future will strengthen the accreditation process and, by extension, advance the quality and capacity of the EMS workforce.
“I know that changes to the fee structure impact our programs, many of which operate on tight budgets,” said Lori Burns, MSN, RN, Chair, CoAEMSP Board of Directors. “I am confident that the innovations made possible by the increased fees will allow us to build a sustainable and dynamic infrastructure for the future, one that continues to ensure a qualified and well-prepared workforce in Emergency Medical Services.”
“As everyone knows, prices for services increase gradually over time -- and accreditation is no different,” said Thomas B. Brazelton III, MD, MPH, FAAP, former Chair, CoAEMSP Board of Directors. “The fee increases beginning in 2025 ensure we are able to provide the very best service we can at the lowest possible cost. Trust me, the Board and staff takes seriously our obligation to maximize the funding we have in service of our mission. No-frills – just the essentials necessary to support and advance Paramedic education.”
“Accreditation makes us better as an industry,” said Jeff McDonald, MEd, NRP, CoAEMSP Board Member. “And like everything else, the cost of providing quality accreditation services has gone up. It's important we maintain that quality for the future, and that we give programs the ability to anticipate fee increases going forward. The revised fee structure will allow us to do just that.”
Additional information, including a detailed Fee Schedule and Frequently Asked Questions, is available at https://coaemsp.org/program-fees.
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