Federal EMS legislation mandates that all emergency medical vehicles conform to minimum standards in design and available equipment. Each state has been charged with the tasks of categorizing vehicles currently in use, setting appropriate standards within federal guidelines, and enforcing modification of vehicles and ultimate compliance. It is imperative that the AAAM become actively involved in this vehicle standards determination process and not simply critique and comment on what may be experienced of inadequate efforts in the states. The study demonstrates that such rules, regulations and standards may not, in fact, truly speak to vehicle performance criteria - - indeed, that vehicles which conform to standard may be found lacking in actual functional situations. Finally, this research paper will conclude that the AAAM should further analyze and rate EMS vehicle performance by type of vehicle, manufacturer, appropriate utilization, equipment location, etc., towards assuring that "standards" are in reality written minimum performance criteria.