Ambulance Business Academy - Cohort III
Host Agency: TBD
Location: TBD
Dates of In-Person Instruction: TBD
Time (In-Person): 8:00am to 5:00 pm daily
Fire departments across California are contemplating the ambulance service business. But it’s not as easy as it may appear.
“You see, the ambulance service is actually a business, not just a part of the fire department. And California fire departments are really interested in getting into the ambulance business these days. We need to learn the basics of running an ambulance company, understand how the fire service fits into the healthcare system, and develop the skills we need to win contracts.”- Ray Gayk
Ray Gayk, former President of CalChiefs and retired Fire Chief of the Ontario Fire Department, will be leading this academy. The course offers valuable insight into the ambulance business for those looking to expand their knowledge in this area.
Cal Fire Chiefs Consulting & Training (C&T), in collaboration with ambulance industry expert Glenn Leland, developed the Ambulance Business Academy (ABA)—a unique, in-depth program designed for fire service leaders. With over 40 years of experience managing successful ambulance operations across the U.S. and internationally, Glenn brings a wealth of knowledge to this two-week academy (delivered in two separate one-week sessions). The ABA offers a comprehensive overview of ambulance service management—covering key operational, financial, and strategic elements—providing participants with the essential tools to succeed in today’s competitive EMS landscape.
Cal Fire Chiefs C&T now expands to offer new add on courses to build on skills and knowledge in specialized focus areas. For example, some advanced students can enroll in an add on course that goes deeper into flexible deployment planning. Others want more practice in the marketing of the department’s proposal to the County. The Ambulance Business Academy is the foundation and required preparation for more advanced master level specialty programs.
New Offering: Silver Tacks Series
Beyond the Basics — Silver and Gold Tacks
The term “brass tacks” refers to getting down to the essentials—which is exactly what the ABA focuses on: building a solid foundation in ambulance service management. However, we know some topics deserve a deeper dive. Rather than expanding the Academy to three weeks, we created Silver Tacks: a supplemental, intermediate-level workshop series designed to strengthen skills in more focused areas.
These two-day, live-in workshops (Friday–Saturday, with some prep work) are held alongside the ABA’s standard Monday–Thursday schedule. For this session, it will take place on May 9th & 10th, 2025. The Silver Tacks sessions offer concentrated, practical learning opportunities on key topics, starting with our first session in May at Ventura County Fire Department:
“How do I estimate the value of my ambulance opportunity?”
This ‘Silver tacks’ includes ABA’s coverage of the Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) Medicaid Supplement, based on student interest.
Pricing:
Silver and Gold Tacks workshops are $1,000, with a 50% discount for ABA alumni and current ABA students. A portion of all tuition supports the Cal Fire Chiefs Association. Gold Tacks are more advanced an require ABA as a prerequisite, but Silver Tacks are open to any interested Cal Chief’s member.
Can’t attend the full ABA?
Silver Tacks is designed to stand alone or complement ABA. Whether you’re an alum or new to the program, you can jump into a focused Silver Tacks session and gain immediate, applicable knowledge—even without attending the full Academy.
To Register for the Silver Tacks:
Email jharris@cafireconsulting.com with the following information. You will be invoiced accordingly:
Name
Title/Rank
Organization
Billing Address
Are you a current ABA student or ABA alumni?
Cal Fire Chiefs C&T is excited to announce that the registration for the third cohort and the Silver Tacks will be opening soon! Space will be limited!
Cancellation Policy: Registrants may cancel their participation by April 19th, 2025, subject to a $75 administrative fee. No cancellations will be accepted after this date. Should a registered individual be unable to attend, substitutions are permitted within the same organization and can be made on-site at the event. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Host Agency: TBD
Location: TBD
Dates of In-Person Instruction: TBD
Time (In-Person): 8:00am to 5:00 pm daily
Fire departments across California are contemplating the ambulance service business. But it’s not as easy as it may appear.
“You see, the ambulance service is actually a business, not just a part of the fire department. And California fire departments are really interested in getting into the ambulance business these days. We need to learn the basics of running an ambulance company, understand how the fire service fits into the healthcare system, and develop the skills we need to win contracts.”- Ray Gayk
Ray Gayk, former President of CalChiefs and retired Fire Chief of the Ontario Fire Department, will be leading this academy. The course offers valuable insight into the ambulance business for those looking to expand their knowledge in this area.
Cal Fire Chiefs Consulting & Training (C&T), in collaboration with ambulance industry expert Glenn Leland, developed the Ambulance Business Academy (ABA)—a unique, in-depth program designed for fire service leaders. With over 40 years of experience managing successful ambulance operations across the U.S. and internationally, Glenn brings a wealth of knowledge to this two-week academy (delivered in two separate one-week sessions). The ABA offers a comprehensive overview of ambulance service management—covering key operational, financial, and strategic elements—providing participants with the essential tools to succeed in today’s competitive EMS landscape.
Cal Fire Chiefs C&T now expands to offer new add on courses to build on skills and knowledge in specialized focus areas. For example, some advanced students can enroll in an add on course that goes deeper into flexible deployment planning. Others want more practice in the marketing of the department’s proposal to the County. The Ambulance Business Academy is the foundation and required preparation for more advanced master level specialty programs.
New Offering: Silver Tacks Series
Beyond the Basics — Silver and Gold Tacks
The term “brass tacks” refers to getting down to the essentials—which is exactly what the ABA focuses on: building a solid foundation in ambulance service management. However, we know some topics deserve a deeper dive. Rather than expanding the Academy to three weeks, we created Silver Tacks: a supplemental, intermediate-level workshop series designed to strengthen skills in more focused areas.
These two-day, live-in workshops (Friday–Saturday, with some prep work) are held alongside the ABA’s standard Monday–Thursday schedule. For this session, it will take place on May 9th & 10th, 2025. The Silver Tacks sessions offer concentrated, practical learning opportunities on key topics, starting with our first session in May at Ventura County Fire Department:
“How do I estimate the value of my ambulance opportunity?”
This ‘Silver tacks’ includes ABA’s coverage of the Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) Medicaid Supplement, based on student interest.
Pricing:
Silver and Gold Tacks workshops are $1,000, with a 50% discount for ABA alumni and current ABA students. A portion of all tuition supports the Cal Fire Chiefs Association. Gold Tacks are more advanced an require ABA as a prerequisite, but Silver Tacks are open to any interested Cal Chief’s member.
Can’t attend the full ABA?
Silver Tacks is designed to stand alone or complement ABA. Whether you’re an alum or new to the program, you can jump into a focused Silver Tacks session and gain immediate, applicable knowledge—even without attending the full Academy.
To Register for the Silver Tacks:
Email jharris@cafireconsulting.com with the following information. You will be invoiced accordingly:
Name
Title/Rank
Organization
Billing Address
Are you a current ABA student or ABA alumni?
Cal Fire Chiefs C&T is excited to announce that the registration for the third cohort and the Silver Tacks will be opening soon! Space will be limited!
Cancellation Policy: Registrants may cancel their participation by April 19th, 2025, subject to a $75 administrative fee. No cancellations will be accepted after this date. Should a registered individual be unable to attend, substitutions are permitted within the same organization and can be made on-site at the event. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Host Agency: TBD
Location: TBD
Dates of In-Person Instruction: TBD
Time (In-Person): 8:00am to 5:00 pm daily
Fire departments across California are contemplating the ambulance service business. But it’s not as easy as it may appear.
“You see, the ambulance service is actually a business, not just a part of the fire department. And California fire departments are really interested in getting into the ambulance business these days. We need to learn the basics of running an ambulance company, understand how the fire service fits into the healthcare system, and develop the skills we need to win contracts.”- Ray Gayk
Ray Gayk, former President of CalChiefs and retired Fire Chief of the Ontario Fire Department, will be leading this academy. The course offers valuable insight into the ambulance business for those looking to expand their knowledge in this area.
Cal Fire Chiefs Consulting & Training (C&T), in collaboration with ambulance industry expert Glenn Leland, developed the Ambulance Business Academy (ABA)—a unique, in-depth program designed for fire service leaders. With over 40 years of experience managing successful ambulance operations across the U.S. and internationally, Glenn brings a wealth of knowledge to this two-week academy (delivered in two separate one-week sessions). The ABA offers a comprehensive overview of ambulance service management—covering key operational, financial, and strategic elements—providing participants with the essential tools to succeed in today’s competitive EMS landscape.
Cal Fire Chiefs C&T now expands to offer new add on courses to build on skills and knowledge in specialized focus areas. For example, some advanced students can enroll in an add on course that goes deeper into flexible deployment planning. Others want more practice in the marketing of the department’s proposal to the County. The Ambulance Business Academy is the foundation and required preparation for more advanced master level specialty programs.
New Offering: Silver Tacks Series
Beyond the Basics — Silver and Gold Tacks
The term “brass tacks” refers to getting down to the essentials—which is exactly what the ABA focuses on: building a solid foundation in ambulance service management. However, we know some topics deserve a deeper dive. Rather than expanding the Academy to three weeks, we created Silver Tacks: a supplemental, intermediate-level workshop series designed to strengthen skills in more focused areas.
These two-day, live-in workshops (Friday–Saturday, with some prep work) are held alongside the ABA’s standard Monday–Thursday schedule. For this session, it will take place on May 9th & 10th, 2025. The Silver Tacks sessions offer concentrated, practical learning opportunities on key topics, starting with our first session in May at Ventura County Fire Department:
“How do I estimate the value of my ambulance opportunity?”
This ‘Silver tacks’ includes ABA’s coverage of the Ground Emergency Medical Transport (GEMT) Medicaid Supplement, based on student interest.
Pricing:
Silver and Gold Tacks workshops are $1,000, with a 50% discount for ABA alumni and current ABA students. A portion of all tuition supports the Cal Fire Chiefs Association. Gold Tacks are more advanced an require ABA as a prerequisite, but Silver Tacks are open to any interested Cal Chief’s member.
Can’t attend the full ABA?
Silver Tacks is designed to stand alone or complement ABA. Whether you’re an alum or new to the program, you can jump into a focused Silver Tacks session and gain immediate, applicable knowledge—even without attending the full Academy.
To Register for the Silver Tacks:
Email jharris@cafireconsulting.com with the following information. You will be invoiced accordingly:
Name
Title/Rank
Organization
Billing Address
Are you a current ABA student or ABA alumni?
Cal Fire Chiefs C&T is excited to announce that the registration for the third cohort and the Silver Tacks will be opening soon! Space will be limited!
Cancellation Policy: Registrants may cancel their participation by April 19th, 2025, subject to a $75 administrative fee. No cancellations will be accepted after this date. Should a registered individual be unable to attend, substitutions are permitted within the same organization and can be made on-site at the event. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
Faculty:
Ray Gayk and Glenn Leland lead all 50 in-person modules of the Ambulance Business Academy, bringing their extensive expertise to every session. Ted Peterson shares valuable insights from his experience with both the ABA and the Gold Tacks program contributes specialized instruction on the GEMT program.
Learning plan:
ABA Students develop confidence in the ambulance business based on six key learning attributes. The Academy covers 14 key topics necessary to prepare fire service leaders contemplating or looking to enhance ambulance services.
Registration process:
Applicants to the Academy or Tacks can register by completing registration above. Application requires formal commitment to the Academy tuition, travel, and schedule. Student’s employer must endorse student application and acknowledge the Academy schedule and commit the student’s attendance in sessions including all in-person and virtual sessions. Space is limited and the information provided in the application will be used to select the most qualified applicants. A virtual interview by Cal Fire Chiefs staff may be required to complete student admission.
Cal Fire Chiefs Ambulance Business Academy 6 Learning Tactics and 14 Key Topics
Knowledge: Through 8 full classroom days spread across 2 live-in sessions, about half that in virtual presentations, plus reading assignments and group discussions, students gain a deep understanding of the concepts and structure underlying the ambulance service business.
Skill: The program offers hands-on learning through classroom exercises, tutorials, student presentations, and a challenging capstone project. You’ll get practical experience in developing production, deployment, and capital plans, and even present your mock proposal to a policymaker panel.
Analytics: Making smart decisions involves both intuition and data. “Trust your gut but do the math.” The ambulance business is a unique blend of healthcare, logistics, and public safety, unlike any other industry. You’ll learn how to measure production, deployment, quality, and the revenue streams of ambulance services.
Frameworks: Mental frameworks, or schemas, help us simplify complex situations. They act as filters, allowing us to focus on the important information. We use a variety of frameworks, so you’ll have the tools you need to think clearly and make good decisions.
Practice: Ambulance business managers need to understand key concepts and communicate effectively. So, you’ll practice writing and presenting your ideas to prepare for the real world.
Support: The CalChiefs ABA team approach ensures you learn independently but also practice in groups. This helps you build skills and strengthen relationships with classmates and faculty. It also creates a supportive network for you to use in the real world.
Economics: You’ll use a dynamic ambulance business modeling tool to understand how revenues, expenses, and design decisions affect each other. The model calculates capital requirements and creates a pro forma finance plan. You’ll analyze pending and potential changes and their economic impact.
Revenue: ABA students will learn about how ambulance services get paid, from Medicare and Medicaid to health insurance and other sources. User fees are the main way ambulance services make money, so understanding healthcare revenue management is super important.
Accounting: ABA students will understand how fire service and ambulance businesses use different accounting methods to achieve their goals. They’ll also learn why Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) is the best way to account for ambulance businesses.
System Design: EMS system design is like the blueprint for how ambulance services are run. It includes everything from the legal and administrative stuff to the clinical and regulatory aspects. Ambulance services are crucial to any EMS system design, so they’re a key part of this process.
Production: ABA students will learn how to put together the people, equipment, and supplies needed for ambulance services. They’ll also learn how to measure and track the performance of ambulance services. Classroom experiments with different production strategies and scheduling approaches help students develop good decision-making skills.
Deployment: ABA students will learn how to make sure ambulance services are deployed efficiently. They’ll learn how to measure and manage response time performance, and they’ll be able to calculate and compare unit hour utilization ratios. Students will also learn how to use temporal and geospatial demand analytics, and they’ll get to use predictive computer models in class, which helps them sharpen their skills.
Quality: Quality management is all about making sure that ambulance services deliver high-quality care. It includes things like medical operations, results, effectiveness, efficiency, and stakeholder satisfaction. The ABA covers all the important concepts of quality management and gives students a practical understanding of how to apply them in the highly regulated world of ambulance services.
EMS vs. IFT. Have you ever wondered about the differences between Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Inter-Facility Transfers (IFT)? Well, IFT is a bit more complex and challenging business because of its form of competition. This course will give you a quick overview of the differences and the tools you need to succeed in the IFT world.
Strategy: Ambulance services are super competitive, so you need to think carefully about how to position your business for success. This course will teach you about different strategy frameworks and the various competitive scenarios you might face.
Customer Advantage: Ambulance services don’t always have a guaranteed market, so you need to figure out how to keep your customers. Even in an Exclusive Operating Agreement (EOA), you have to keep the customer happy to thrive. This course will explore the world of competition for customer loyalty.
Legal: Ambulance services have to follow a lot of laws and regulations, so this course will cover the key legal concepts and regulations in California. You’ll also learn about ambulance contracts and other business law stuff. There are some new ones this year that promise good days ahead as well as some threats to the status quo.
Advocacy: Public policy sets up EMS systems, so you need to understand how elected officials, and their staff, view fire service-based ambulance options, and how to advocate for policy changes.
Technology: Ambulance services use different business technologies than fire services, so this course will cover the essentials of ambulance service management and also have guest faculty show you the latest tech advancements. Alumni will be invited to tech update sessions after graduation.
Network: The ABA is designed with lots of classroom time and group projects, so you’ll get to know your classmates and professors. This network will be really helpful after graduation.
