Western Mass Emergency Medical Services Committee, Inc.

Meeting: Communications Committee

Date: March 1, 2001

Place: Living Room, McCallum Building, CDH, Northampton

Presiding: David Keefe, Co-Chairperson

Called to Order: 8:52 am

Adjourned: 10:40 am

Attendance:

Present - Brian Andrews, Anthony Cerini, Stephen Cote, Thomas Coulombe, Bernard Forgea, Daniel Harrington, David Keefe, Jim Kupernik, Steven Manchino, Guy Manners, Robert Moore, Linda Moriarty, Kathleen Rider

Excused - Michael Zlogar

Absent -

Guests – James Controvitch, Brad Prenney

Minutes: Minutes distributed and read. Chief Coulombe requested amendment of minutes to reflect the fact that he was present.

Accepted as amended

Old Business:

Communications Survey:

Discussion -

Mr. Cote reports that we have gotten a response by 30% of the 264 surveys sent out. What we have gotten is now input into the database. He reports that he is working on a usable presentation form for the data we have. He is also planning on recontacting other agencies.

Action- Raw data will be converted to MS type files for anyone interested in copies.

Log Recorders:

Discussion –

Franklin MC will get their recorder. BHS is unable to provide service so back to original plan.

Action – None.

State Committee:

Discussion –

State Communications Comm. meets 3/28 in Barnstable

Action - Mr. Keefe to draft and send letter to OEMS by communication meeting in June.

Motion: (Cote):

Discussion –

Mr. Cote moved that the published agenda be modified to reflect the presence of our two guests: Mr. Prenney and Mr. Controvitch

Action – Accepted

Guest- Brad Prenney:

Discussion –

Mr. Brad Prenney from the Dept. of Public Health addressed the group on EMS Communications throughout the state, EMS-2000, Diversions, and our concerns re funding.

"We want to have a quality State wide Communications system." Do we want to build off of the current structure? Do we want to try to go with new technology?

The State Communications Comm. is pressing the Regions for a comprehensive survey of existing resources. Region I is in the lead in this regard.

We need to look at statewide emergencies: terrorist incidents, pandemics. We need to tie EMS into other agencies in order to work more efficiently.

"We need to have an idea what to do before we can start to look to the State for resources. We would like to point to a Region that is 'out front' with ideas."

Possibility of next years budget holding significant funds for EMS-Comm is slim. Much of current funds ($100K) went to Hospital Diversions. We would like to see a set of options to present to the State by the end of this year. We must sell the "improvement" to the State.

Need to make the case with hard facts, figures or we will see nothing.

Action: None

Guest- Jim Controvitch:

Discussion-

Jim Controvitch, Spfld Office of Emergency Preparedness, spoke to us about the turnover of CMED to the Regional Council. He told us he was gathering the data requested, and though awaiting some info from AMR, should get to us by next week.

He states that the City feels that with EMS2K the Region should have a role in CMED operations. The City feels that their role was as an "interim user" but that ultimately the Region should do it.

The City would like to turn the equipment and operations over to the Region

He feels that the CMED system needs to be enhanced and expanded to serve current clients.

Action- Mr. Cote will assure that Mr. Controvitch is on the mailing list and kept more fully advised as to Committee activities.

New Business

Mission Statement:

Discussion –

Mr. Andrews presented a draft "Mission Statement" for the Committee. Text is attached.

Mr. Forgea: It looks very good but is it too ambitious for this Committee? Perhaps we need outside help? Technical expertise?

Chief Coulombe: Motion to accept this statement with intent to review and refine at later meeting (3 months). Accepted, 1 opposed

Action - None.

Recording Secretary:

Discussion-

Chief Coulombe made a motion that we should have a Recording Secretary who does not have to juggle discussion with recording.

Discussion suggested utilizing our office Admin Ass't. Exec Dir Moriarty will look into this.

Action: Motion accepted to investigate.

Next Meeting: April 5, 09:00AM, Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Notices to be sent.

Adjourn: Motion to adjourn. Motion approved unanimously.

Steve Cote, Recorder