Presented at the FTAI National Council meeting yesterday (22 September), VanSafe is a bespoke accreditation for the operators of commercial and passenger vehicles below 3.5 tonnes. Although approximately 89% of commercial vehicles in Ireland fall in this category, such vehicles are currently not subject to the more onerous regulations required of heavier vehicles. 

In response, the FTAI has introduced the VanSafe initiative to raise standards within the industry, improve the perception of vans and light commercial vehicles and enhance the reputation of organisations operating van fleets. 

Presenting the accreditation, FTA Ireland general manager business services – Aidan Flynn said: “Medicall Ambulance has worked through the development and pilot phase of the accreditation, and we are delighted to announce today that they have achieved the FTAI VanSafe standard.  They have now set the benchmark in compliance for van fleet operators in Ireland.

“Driver hours and roadworthiness regulations are currently not as onerous on van operators as they are on bus and HGV operators, but Medicall has demonstrated how it manages its drivers and vehicles with the highest operation and road safety standards, and they must be commended for this.” 

Andrew Lyle, operations director – Medicall Ambulance Service, said: “As an ambulance service provider safety is all important to us, and recognise that the road transport element of patient care represents a risk.  We have been searching for an accreditation particular to van operators to benchmark ourselves against for some time. 

“Achievement of this standard allows us to demonstrate to all our patients and client healthcare facilities that when they are placing that most precious of ‘cargo’ – a human being – in our hands they are travelling with an ambulance service who has been independent and transparently assessed and found to be ‘on a par’ with  the safest anywhere in these islands.”