1. Who is the American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI)?

ASHI is an association of professional safety and health educators providing nationally recognized training programs through more than 4000 approved Training Centers across the United States and in several foreign countries.

2. Where is ASHI located and when was it established?

The ASHI National Office is located in Holiday, Florida. ASHI was formally established as a partnering association of safety and health instructors in the state of Florida in 1996.

3. What is ASHI's mission?

To continually improve safety and health education by promoting; high standards for members, principals of sound research for curriculum development and the professional development of safety and health instructors worldwide

4. How is ASHI organized?

ASHI is administered by a Board of Directors, including a Board Chair, Vice Chair, Executive Director, Program Advisory Committee President, and Program Advisory Committee Chair. The Board oversees the Training Centers Network, including the Accreditation System and Quality Assurance process. The Board makes administrative decisions with respect to recommendations of the Program Advisory Committees and Membership. The official advisors of ASHI are the volunteer experts who sit on the Program Advisory Committees (PACs) and Subcommittees. These appointed experts provide evidence-based peer-review for ASHI training program curricula. The membership of ASHI is comprised of thousands of ASHI authorized professional educators providing accredited, widely recognized instructional programs reaching worldwide and advancing the well-being of both individuals and organizations

5. What are ASHI's Goals?

• To continually strive to provide members with support and information that will help them practice and promote the highest professional standards in health and safety instruction - in the community and in the workplace.
• To use and promote principals of sound research and objective peer review to facilitate the development and revision of high-quality safety and health training programs.
• To continually strive to enhance the reputation of its members and to champion their cause through promotion of an open, friendly culture that welcomes the expertise of many disciplines and through the creation of subcommittees and task forces that will advise ASHI and partner with other professional organizations.
• To provide opportunities for members to improve themselves and the operation of their Training Centers by facilitating professional networking opportunities and continuing education through educational conferences, publications, and other means that meet the needs of the membership.

6. What are the levels of membership in ASHI?

ASHI has a several levels of membership. Most common is Authorization as a Basic or Advanced Instructor or Instructor Trainer. Authorization is subject to attendance and successful completion of an ASHI Instructor Development Course, reciprocity or apprenticeship. ASHI authorized Instructors offer programs through affiliation with a Basic or Advanced Training Center - the next most prevalent form of membership. Training Center eligibility is determined by review of an application. The application requires persons responsible for managing the Training Center to agree to implement specific quality assurance measures for their officers, employees, and ASHI-authorized instructors. These quality assurance requirements are intended to create a framework of "ethical, instructional and operational excellence", resulting in a high-quality learning experience for students who participate in ASHI courses.

The foremost level of membership is Regional Instructor Trainer (RIT). RITs are appointed by the Board of Directors. A Regional Instructor-Trainer is a training expert who serves as a valued resource to the Board of Directors, state and federal regulatory officials and ASHI authorized Instructor Trainers, Instructors and Training Center staff. RITs are authorized to conduct all levels of ASHI programs that are within their scope of safety expertise, or healthcare practice, including the certification of Instructor-Trainers.

Another form of membership is Associate Member. The Associate Member Program is specifically designed to enable ASHI to partner with similarly focused organizations. ASHI is flexible in regard to the business structure, time and cost sharing details of these relationships. Although Associate Membership is initiated at the behest of ASHI, all Associate Members must complete the full Training Center Approval and/or Instructor Authorization process. A very special membership exists lifetime Emeritus Members and is awarded by the Board of Directors.

7. What are the annual membership fees?

There are no annual fees. However, initial authorization as an Instructor or Instructor Trainer is subject to a fee - as is reauthorization every three (3) years.

8. What are the benefits of membership?

• Instructor or Instructor Trainer Authorization Card
• Access to ASHI's password protected Instructor's Area, including a download library containing technical and marketing documents and related tools
• Free Online Subscription to Training Links, the quarterly ASHI Membership Newsletter
• Free Online Subscription to ASHI Updates your source for breaking news and training related opportunities.
• E-mentoring and networking opportunities with other ASHI members via the ASHI Instructor Network - a private electronic forum
• Membership rates on professional liability insurance
• A chance to become involved in ASHI program development and to collaborate as a peer-reviewer
• Representation of your interests in public health & safety policy and regulatory issues
• Opt-in listing on ASHI's online Training Center Directory - a leading resource for individuals and organizations searching for health & safety training courses
• Full Color promotional pamphlets at cost
• Leadership opportunities
• Professional, personal and social support through networking

9. In addition to review by Program Advisory Committee members, have ASHI programs been externally reviewed, accepted, approved, or accredited?

Yes. ASHI works on a regular and ongoing basis with hundreds of federal and state authorities to ensure regulatory compliance. ASHI programs have been reviewed, accepted, approved or have satisfied the requirements of numerous state and federal agencies, including the Department of Labor (OSHA) and the Department of Homeland Security (USCG). Additionally, both CPRPro™ and ASHI ACLS™- our professional level resuscitation courses - have been nationally accredited by the Continuing Education Coordinating Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS).

10. Does ASHI hold a conference that I can attend?

Yes. ASHI sponsors an annual Instructor Networking Conference which is open to all members (a nominal attendance fee applies). Associate Members, Corporate Sponsors and other interested parties may also attend. Program Advisory Committee and Subcommittee members hold meetings before and after the annual conference

11. Is the course material complicated to teach?

No. ASHI programs are designed to reduce complication and be user friendly.

12. I've dealt with other training organizations before and encountered poor service, demanding inspections, and excessive bureaucracy. How is ASHI different?

ASHI's objective is to work hard to discover innovative ways to reduce the administrative burden of training programs while simultaneously improving quality. For instance, while the ASHI National Office maintains a database of all authorized instructors and provides national oversight of authorized Training Centers, course-related paperwork is handled locally. This advantage can significantly reduce costly and frustrating bureaucracy. Training Center audits are conducted only when necessary to verify allegations of serious violations of the Training Center or Instructor Agreement, or to substantiate reports of dishonest, unethical, illegal, or unprofessional conduct.

13. May we library ASHI books?

Yes. ASHI allows Training Centers to library student course manuals and textbooks for all "in-house" programs, but strongly recommends that manuals and textbooks be distributed for public, private or community courses, especially when these courses are offered as for-profit activities. Training Centers are advised to stock training materials well in advance of courses.

14. What are ASHI's Instructor to Student ratio's?

For CPR and ACLS, it's one instructor per ten students (1:10). Additionally, we strongly recommend 1 resuscitation training manikin per every 3 students. For Basic First Aid it's one instructor per 20 students (1:20).

15. Do certification cards come with the student guides?

Yes. However you must be an authorized ASHI Instructor affiliated with an approved Training Center in order to purchase and receive cards.

16. How long are certification cards good for?

Three years for instructors, two to three years for students, depending on the program (and subject to state or federal regulatory requirements).

17. What courses are offered in Spanish?

ASHI Basic First Aid and CPR For the Community & Workplace are available in Spanish as well as many of the Safety Series courses.

18. Do you receive a certification card upon completion of a Safety Series course?

No. The Safety Series course comes with a blank, reproducible attendance certificate. Copies of the certificate may be made and passed out to each student upon completion.

19. Where are ASHI Instructor Development Courses classes held?

Instructor Development Courses are available at ASHI authorized Training Centers throughout the U.S. Click on the ASHI Instructor Development Course link on the homepage or call a customer service representative at 800-682-5067!

20. What are the qualifications for "Grandfathering" (reciprocity) as an Instructor with ASHI?

Requirements are covered in the Membership Application (highlight and click on Membership Application on the home page)

21. Where are student level courses held?

At authorized ASHI Training Centers nationwide. ASHI Training Centers are independent entities and set their own class schedules and pricing (highlight and click on Training Centers on the home page).

22. I need information on the Safety Training & Aquatic Rescue Program.

Visit the Starfish Aquatics Institute at www.starfishaquatics.org, email them at starfishaquatics@yahoo.com or call for more information; (912) 692-1173 (Office hours: Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 3:30 pm EST.

23. I need to change my Training Center name, address, phone number, etc.

For security reasons, any changes to Training Center data must be submitted on Training Center letterhead and signed by the Training Center Director. This letter may then be mailed or faxed to the ASHI National Office (727) 943-7460.

24. I sent in my Membership Application and have not heard anything yet.

Applications take 2-4 weeks to process. If it has been longer than that, please call a Customer Service Representative at 800-682-5067

25. I took an ASHI class but I lost my card. Can you issue me a duplicate card?

Sorry, the National Office does not issue certification cards. You will have to contact the approved Training Center or authorized Instructor from whom you took the clas