Human Trafficking
Blue Lightning Initiative
The Blue Lightning Initiative is an element of the DHS Blue Campaign, led by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and DHS Component Agency, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The BLI trains aviation personnel to identify potential traffickers and human trafficking victims and to report their suspicions to federal law enforcement.
Partnership with the Dept of Homeland Security
PHI Health/PHI Air Medical has partnered with the Department of Homeland Security and their Blue Lightning Initiative to end human trafficking. We are encouraging our fellow air medical providers to join in the fight and establish their own partnership with DHS.
- Human trafficking is a tragic, daily reality – but there is something we can do about it. As first responders going in and out of airports and FBOs, air medical teams are in a unique position to spot the signs of human trafficking and report to authorities.
- The most important thing we can do when we see signs of human trafficking, is to report it to federal law enforcement by calling 1.866.347.2423
Partnering with DHS
If your program is interested in learning what they can do to assist in the fight to end human trafficking, contact:
Michael Camal, COR III
DHS Office of Partnership and Engagement
To view the DHS webpage and learn how to participate as well as view training modules, visit:
Advocacy and Key Issues
Please note that access to many of the publications below requires that you log in to the site as an AAMS member. Send your suggestions of publications or products that you think would add to our current offerings.
With a hands-on approach to shaping the legislative and regulatory policies for our community, supporting appropriate reimbursement of medical transports, fighting for the right to provide services as allowed under Federal legislation, and advocating for a unique level of patient care, Cal-AAMS ensures that its members have a voice in what is happening in our industry.
If you have a questions regarding advocacy, policies and/or key issues, please feel free to contact us. Learn More About AAMS Public Policy efforts.
Industry Key Issues
Unified Optional Scope of Practice for California within Qualified Transport Programs
In collaboration with Cal-AAMS, the state EMS Authority (EMSA), Emergency Medical Directors Association of California (EMDAC), and Emergency Medical Services Administrators Association of California (EMSAAC), have agreed that transport medics may be permitted to practice under an expanded scope of practice. The details are noted in the actual document on this page.
This development is noteworthy in that all three of these regulatory agencies recognized special circumstances surrounding extended transports, and worked together to establish a policy and practice program to serve the needs of affected patients. Cal-AAMS continues to work with these agencies to develop an information and data compilation program to evaluate and QA the process, a critical requirement to validate the decision, and to set a precedent for future cooperation. Our members will be contacted and updated by Vice-President Erin Cox as the reporting system is rolled out.
Letter re Reimbursement/Disaster Response
Commentary from CALmatters: Guest Commentary | June 3, 2019 Christian Giller, President of California Association of Air Medical Services.
New Budget Omits An Important Piece Of California’s Disaster Preparedness
"California’s 70 emergency air ambulance helicopters and airplanes cover nearly 164,000 square miles and serve more than 37 million Californians in their time of need..."