Western Mass Emergency
Medical Services Committee, Inc.
Meeting:
Communications Committee
Date: May 2, 2002
Place: McCallum Building Living Room, CDH,
Northampton
Presiding: Brian Andrews, Chairperson
Called
to Order: 8:51 am
Adjourned: 9:48 am
Attendance:
Present
– Rick
Anderson, Brian Andrews, Anthony Cerini, Stephen Cote, Bernie Forgea, Jim
Kupernik, Guy Manners, and Jeff Rawson
Minutes: A motion was made to accept minutes as written. Ms. Herringshaw pointed out that she made an error in minutes stating that Mr. Cote and Ms. Goyette had had a discussion; when in actuality it was Mr. Andrews and Ms. Goyette. With the above corrections noted, the minutes were accepted and approved unanimously.
Update
on Resource Manual:
Discussion –
Mr.
Andrews reports that the manual is on hold awaiting the development of
software. This will tabled until next
month.
Action – Mr. Andrews to continue to update
committee.
Update
on Diversion Website:
Discussion –
Mr.
Cote reports that the EMS Commission has informed Mr. Controvitch that they
will have to install internet access.
Mr. Cote and Mr. Controvitch have been researching a few different
internet access methods. For a
dedicated phone line through ATT, this will cost approximately $700.00 per
month. A DSL line will cost
approximately $50 per month. And finally, the one they hope to utilize, is
through a cable company. They have wired city facilities in the past at no
cost. Mr. Cote and Mr. Controvitch are currently pursuing this, but in the
event that this falls through, they will go with the DSL line.
Mr.
Andrews asked Mr. Cote if there was a specific timeline that they are
following, and Mr. Cote stated that he and Mr. Controvitch haven’t discussed
this, but the EMS Commission wants it done as soon as possible. Mr. Andrews informed Mr. Cote that he needs
to be in touch with Mr. Controvitch once a week, and would like to have this
finished up prior to our next meeting.
Action – Mr. Cote to continue to speak with Mr.
Controvitch weekly.
Mr. Cote to update Mr. Andrews and the committee with the project.
Hampden
East Project Update:
Discussion –
Mr.
Cote informed the group that the Region now owns the Mary Lane Radio. Currently, National Grid is ordering the
duplexer/coupler for the UHF part and Mr. Marcus has been given permission to
order the VHF radio and get this installed, along with the antennas and the
decoders. Once this is done, we will be
able to get this part online.
Mr.
Marcus has received the power study showing the output from this site. The
radio that is currently installed is working, but very old.
Mr.
Andrews asked Mr. Cote if Mr. Marcus has given any timeline for completion of
the project. Mr. Cote stated that Mr. Marcus feels that once all of the
equipment is received, it should take a couple of weeks until the project is up
and running. It should take the same
amount of time for the UHF part as well.
Mr.
Andrews would like Mr. Cote to stay in touch with Mr. Marcus every week to be
sure that he is staying on the project.
Action: Mr. Cote to continue to update the
committee on project.
Update
on Shelburne Mountain:
Discussion –
Mr.
Manners reported to the committee that Shelburne Mountain is up and running. He also wanted to mention that Mr. Shaw
(from Shaw Communications) spent a great deal of time on this project, and will
go back in the near future to check the line levels. Mr. Manners stated that the Franklin County EMS Committee is
going to let all of the services know that the mountain is back in
services. It was also suggested that
the WMEMS office send out a mailing letting Franklin County services know this.
Action – WMEMS to send out notice
that Shelburne Mountain is up and running.
Update
on Springfield CMED Procedure Book:
Discussion –
Mr.
Andrews brought a copy of the current manual for all members and Mr. Cote
emailed a copy to all. Mr. Andrews still feels very certain that this manual
needs to be finished as this is something that is needed. Mr. Cote reported that Mr. Controvitch has
been modifying the MCI section. Mr.
Andrews feels that in the MCI section there should be an overview of the MCI
plan, along with the current definitions of such. Mr. Andrews feels that this could be added later so we are not
slowing down the project.
Mr.
Cote added maintenance to the list of topics to cover in the manual as a result
of a recent incident at Baystate with a module going down. All present agreed that this was a good
idea.
Mr.
Andrews would like everyone to look over their copy and let Mr. Cote know if
they feel any changes should be made or if anyone has any suggestions to add.
Action – Committee to review their copies and
speak to Mr. Cote with suggestions.
Becket
Project:
Discussion-
Mr. Kupernik reports that he has become frustrated with their legal counsel, as he is not able to get any information about where the project is at. He has been in contact with Bob Stanford at Crown Atlantic Communications, as they have requested a list of equipment from the Region. He will be contacting Mr. Kupernik shortly. Mr. Andrews will send out a letter to tell this company that we are unsure of the equipment.
Action- Mr. Kupernik to continue to inform the committee on the Becket project.
Brochure
from Department of Public Safety:
Discussion-
Mr. Cote has brought a brochure to Mr. Andrews attention regarding Interagency Radios. Mr. Andrews is going to get some additional information about the possibility of a small amount of radios being distributed in Region 1. Mr. Andrews did add though, that he has heard conflicting reports about these radios becoming available. Mr. Forgea believes that EMS is not being included in a lot of these plans that are circulating; including the SATURN Plan. Mr. Cote responded that after the EMS Summit, Mr. Prenney had a meeting with Mr. Ladd and was assured that EMS was going to be included. Mr. Forgea feels that it is very important that we pay attention to these issues. Mr. Andrews informed the committee that he personally has been in touch with legislative members to keep them informed and on top of this. Mr. Forgea expressed deep concern that the EMS community stay on top of the current issues so we can be certain that EMS doesn’t get changed to Department of Public Safety. Mr. Manners can see some definite delays in this area due to the lack of agreement on equipment and hardware.
At this stage in time, Mr. Cote would like the committee to consider hiring an independent consultant to look at a Region-wide communications system. He feels that we need to find an impartial person that isn’t tied to any companies or equipment that can find out what is best for Region 1. Mr. Forgea though that we needed to get all of the surveys back first, so we can see where we are at currently. Mr. Andrews feel that we should wait for a State-level Overview Study, and that way we get the information we want and don’t have to spend the money on it. Mr. Cerini asked what this study was. Mr. Andrews stated that the state is revamping the current communications plan and the state will hire a consultant to do this. By doing this, it will help us develop a plan and figure out where we are going in the future.
Action- Table the idea of hiring
a consultant until after we get results from State Study.
Next
Meeting:
The
next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 6, 2002, at 8:45 a.m.
Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn at 9:48 am. This motion was seconded
and approved unanimously.
Lisa
Herringshaw, Recorder