Western Mass Emergency Medical Services Committee, Inc.

Meeting: Communications Committee

Date: July 12, 2001

Place: East Wing 2 Conference Room, CDH, Northampton

Presiding: Brian Andrews, Co-Chairperson

Called to Order: 8:46 am

Adjourned: 9:42 am

Attendance:

Present - Brian Andrews, Anthony Cerini, Thomas Coulombe, Bernard Forgea, Dave Hansen, Robert Hopkins, James Kupernik, Diane LaCasse, and Guy Manners.

Excused - Francesca Austin, Stephen Cote, Dan Harrington, David Keefe, Steve Manchino, Jeff Rawson, and Mike Zlogar.

Guests - Lisa Herringshaw and Dawn Josefski.

Minutes: A motion was made to accept minutes as written. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Old Business

Letter to OEMS in Relation to the State Commununications Comm.:

Discussion -

Mr. Andrews stated that there are now three people from our Regional Communications Committee that are attending the state committee meetings. Therefore, the letter is not necessary.

Action- None.

Diversion Status Website:

Discussion -

At the last communications meeting, Mr. Andrews discussed some of the options for website access and the potential costs for each of these options. Again, some of these options will not be attainable in our area, such as wireless communications. Mr. Cote compiled information regarding these options and they were distributed at this current meeting to be looked at by the committee. With option 3, CMED would have constant access to this diversion website and provide the hospital diversions to services, but the expense of this would need to be picked up by the organization running it (CMED). Mr. Andrews voiced concerns regarding hospital regulations and whether or not they will be able to post bed availability for the different departments. Ms. Josefski is concerned about whether it will be possible for several hospitals to go on diversion simultaneously with this website system.

Mr. Andrews has done some research and found that this type of system is either liked really well or isn't liked at all. The ones that dislike it tend to be ones that just began working with it and can't really seem to name any specific problems with it.

Please note that written testimony on these issues will be accepted by OEMS until 5:00 p.m. on July 25,2001.

Action - Send any written testimony to OEMS.

Hampden East Project:

Discussion -

Mr. Andrews wants to thank Mr. Cote for the great deal of work that he has done to get bids for this project. Mr. Cote reported in a handout to the committee that one company submitted a bid. Mr.Andrews believes that a question has arisen regarding liability insurance for this project. Mr. Cerini stated that he has been in touch with Mr. Cote about insurance issues but he is not sure where they currently stand with the contract. Mr. Hopkins believes that the contract has cleared our lawyers and has been signed in time for the end of the fiscal year. Mr. Andrews asked if there was any information regarding insurance and Mr. Cerini believes that we can produce a binder from the insurance company. Mr. Andrews does not believe that we have liability insurance. Regardless, Mr. Andrews is anticipating that the project will be done by October.

Mr. Andrews also mentioned that he feels we need to begin to look at other projects in Region I in case there is more money available from the state. Mr. Coloumbe feels that Mr. Cote and Mr. Cerini did a great job pulling together this project. He does have a concern though, regarding time lines that have been created and then get pushed back regularly. Mr. Coloumbe feels that when the committee sets a deadline, they need to stick with it. Mr. Andrews had spoken to Mr. Cote about this and Mr. Cote stated that he just wanted to be sure that all RFP's were heard from. Mr. Andrews reminded him that he really needs to stick with deadlines that are set. Mr. Andrews will speak with Mr. Cote about this again.

Mr. Coloumbe informed the committee that he is having trouble with Mary Lane Hospital. It appears that janitors and other staff answering the medcon phones during the night. He would like calls recorded at this hospital. He asked the committee if it would be possible for a recorder to be installed there. Mr. Coloumbe feels that some of these issues need to be discussed. Mr. Andrews asked Mr. Coloumbe if he could contact Mary Lane for configurations and report back.

A final comment to the Hampden East Project: Mr. Cerini told the committee that in addition to the bid that Marcus Communications put in, they committee will still need to come up with money for a combiner/multi-coupler receiver. Mr. Andrews will discuss this with Ms. Moriarty.

Action: Mr. Andrews to speak with Mr. Cote about deadlines.

Mr. Coloumbe to get configurations from Mary Lane and report back.

Mr. Andrews to speak with Ms. Moriarty about money for combiner/multi-coupler receiver.

New Business

WMEMS minutes:

Discussion -

Ms. Josefski reported to the committee that all of the meeting minutes are now posted on the WMEMS website. Also Ms. Herringshaw was thanked for her hard work on the monthly minutes.

Action - None.

Shelburne Mountain:

Discussion -

Mr. Hansen reported to the committee that two storms ago a microwave tower on Shelburne Mountain was hit by lightening. Due to this, they have lost the 340 HEAR radio and services are not operating on 385. Because of losing this channel, some services don't have any contact with Franklin Medical Center. Mr. Manners stated that the "channel bank" is broken. Mr. Andrews suggested that Mr. Manners contact Ms. Moriarty if they can't correct this problem and perhaps she could see about getting some funding from the state. Mr. Cerini wondered if the state could put up a temporary tower. Mr. Manners doesn't feel that they would do this. A possible solution would be to set up a tower at FMC. Mr. Forgea told the committee that they have a similar problem with Mount Lincoln. There are numerous projects that could be done if we could receive some funding. Mr. Kupernik also questioned whether a repeater would be added onto the Johnson Road station. Mr. Coloumbe suggested that another sub-committee be established to plan for future projects.

Action - None.

Communications Committee Chairperson:

Discussion -

Mr. Forgea would like to open discussion concerning a new chairperson for the committee. He feels that it is time for a change of direction for the committee. Mr. Coloumbe agreed with the committee needing a change, and feels that certain items have been on the agenda for the last three months in a row and it is time that the committee got tasks accomplished. There was also a question about lack of attendance. Mr. Hopkins stated that he "would like the committee to choose their own destiny". A motion was made to change the leadership of the committee. This motion was seconded, and approved unanimously.

Action - President Hopkins to look into appointing a new chairperson(s).

Next Meeting:

Discussion -

The next meeting will be held on August 2, 2001 at 8:30 am. This meeting will be held in the McCallum Living Room.

Adjourn. A motion was made to adjourn at 9:42 am. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Lisa Herringshaw, Secretary, Recorder