Western Mass Emergency
Medical Services Committee, Inc.
Meeting:
Communications Committee
Date: March 7, 2002
Place: McCallum Building Living Room, CDH,
Northampton
Presiding: Brian Andrews, Chairperson
Called
to Order: 8:55 am
Adjourned: 9:30 am
Attendance:
Present
Brian
Andrews, Stephen Cote, Charles Garrity, Jim Kupernik and Jeff Rawson
Minutes: A motion was made to accept minutes as written. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Follow-Up
on Surveys:
Discussion
Mr.
Andrews reports that no more have been returned. Mr. Cote suggested eliminating
this from the monthly meeting agenda. Mr. Andrews and Mr. Keefe are going to
continue to work on this, but in the meantime it was agreed that this would
come off of the agenda.
Action Eliminate this item from
the monthly agenda.
Update
on Resource Manual:
Discussion
Mr.
Andrews reports that without the above returned surveys our data will be
incomplete, so they will try to get these returned. Mr. Cote stated that the
MCI committee would like the information from the resource manual integrated
with their data book. Mr. Andrews also informed the group that obtaining some of
the information for these manuals is going to be given out to the County
Committee Chairs, as it could be easier for the local committee to get
information as opposed to our committee.
Action Continue to work on manual.
Update
on Diversion Website:
Discussion
Mr.
Andrews reports that he has still not received a response from DPH regarding
the letter that he had sent months ago. As of right now, Springfield CMED is
contacting Mr. Cote when there are diversions and Mr. Cote is posting these
diversions to the website. Also, some of the services in Hampden County are
pursuing Mr. Controvitch to comply with this diversion website.
Action None.
Hampden
East Project Update:
Discussion
Mr.
Cote reports that a meeting was held with all parties in attendance. Mr. Marcus
gave the group a list of possible solutions to their equipment problems. The
National Grid denied all of these suggestions. Therefore, they are going to go
along with the duplexer that will increase the output power from 75 to 100
watts. Mr. Marcus is going to get the figures for this equipment to Mr. Cote
this week. As we are nearing our financial ceiling, we can put 2 channels up
and take the money from the 3rd repeater and use that money to make
up the difference.
Regarding
the VHF, the National Grid has no problem with the change, as the equipment
will fit into the same spot. Wing Hospital is agreeing to go along with all of
this, and they just need to do some additional paperwork.
Mr.
Cote is going to run the contract through legal council within a week or so and
upon getting approval, this VHF should be up and running by this time next
month.
Mr.
Andrews spoke to Ms. Moriarty about the difference in funding for this project
with the projected changes and she thinks that WMEMS has enough free cash in
our budget that we will be able to make up the difference.
Mr.
Andrews asked Mr. Cote for the status on the FCC licensing issues. Mr. Cote
reports that Wing Hospitals contract expired June, 2000. There was no
additional paperwork ever submitted therefore, Mr. Marcus is filing for this.
Also, Mr. Marcus is going to do a signal emissions study for that site at the
new power levels.
Action: Mr. Cote to run contract by our legal
council.
Mr. Cote to continue to update the committee on project.
Update
on Shelburne Mountain:
Discussion
Mr.
Garrity reports that the Franklin County COG has voted to pay to repair the
Shelburne Mountain radio. Mr. Shaw is in the process of doing this. Also, Mr.
Garrity reports that BHS Ambulance might pay to repair the 385 channel.
Action None.
Update
on Springfield CMED Procedure Book:
Discussion
Mr.
Cote reports that he has added a few pages to this book. He asked the committee
how urgent it is that this be completed as we are not the owners of this CMED
system. Mr. Andrews feels that it is important that this be completed and would
like a copy brought to the meeting in April for committee review. Mr. Cote
asked if this could be e-mailed. It was agreed that this could be. Mr. Cote will
also bring a few copies to the April meeting.
Action Mr. Cote to have completed copy of this
book for next months meeting.
Update
on the Public Safety Wireless Network:
Mr.
Cote has made a few phone calls to their director Robert E. Lee, Jr. They would
be glad to come out and spearhead a regional conference. Our expenses for
holding this event would be their travel expenses, the conference space,
mailings for the event, etc. Mr. Andrews asked the committee if they felt this
type of event would be necessary if the state is still organizing a RFP. He
feels that we should put this on hold for the time being. All present agreed.
Action None.
Mass
Turnpike Authority:
Discussion-
Mr. Andrews did some research and found out that this isnt located where Mr. Cerini thought that it was. If Becket can get on the tower they are trying to get on to, we wont have to pursue the Mass Turnpike Authority.
On a side note, Mr. Cote reports that Mr. Marcus is in the process of setting up a microwave system across Western Mass. and he has said that we can hook up into his system.
Action- Continue to Monitor project.
Welcome:
Discussion-
Mr.
Andrews introduced Annie Chou to the committee. She is with WMEMS to complete
an internship.
Dispatch/Diversion
Question:
Discussion
Mr.
Garrity asked Mr. Cote if dispatch is supposed to call services to inform them
of diversions, or are the hospitals. Mr. Cote stated that this is supposed to
be done by dispatch.
Action None.
FYI:
Mr.
Cote reported to the committee that Diane LaCasse has retired from the State
Police Communications Center. Mr. Cote is going to send her a card.
Mr.
Andrews made a motion for the committee to send flowers to Mr. Cerini in memory
of his mother who passed away.
Next
Meeting:
The
next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2002, at 8:45 a.m.
Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn at 9:30 am. This motion was seconded
and approved unanimously.
Lisa
Herringshaw, Recorder