Western Mass Emergency
Medical Services Committee, Inc.
Meeting:
Communications Committee
Date: September 6, 2001
Place: McCallum Building Living Room, CDH,
Northampton
Presiding: Brian Andrews, Chairperson
Called
to Order: 8:36 am
Adjourned: 9:49 am
Attendance:
Present
– Rick
Anderson, Brian Andrews, Anthony Cerini, Stephen Cote, Tom Coulombe, Bernard
Forgea, Charles Garrity, Dave Hansen, Dan Harrington, Jim Kupernik, Guy
Manners, and Jeff Rawson.
Minutes: A motion was made to accept minutes as written. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Please note that the monthly minutes for all of the WMEMS committee meetings are posted on our website at www.wmems.org.
Action
– None.
Committee
Chairmanship:
Discussion –
Mr.
Hopkins spoke with Mr. Andrews about chairing the WMEMS communications
committee. Mr. Andrews agreed to staff
this committee.
Action – None.
Letter
to OEMS Regarding Diversion Website:
Discussion –
At
our August meeting, it was decided that Mr. Hopkins would draft a letter to
OEMS regarding this diversion website. Mr. Cote stated that he believes that
some of these issues that were discussed at our last meeting have been addressed,
such as dispatch agencies taking care of the monitoring. Therefore, Ms.
Moriarty feels that there isn’t any need to write this letter now. There has
not been any information from OEMS regarding the financial aspect, such as
whether they can assist with the cost of 24-hour internet access. Mr. Forgea
mentioned receiving a survey that OEMS has recently sent to services regarding
epi-pens and the diversion website. Mr.
Andrews isn’t sure why this survey was sent out as this diversion site is going
to be implemented soon. Mr. Andrews stated that Ms. Moriarty has spoken to all
of the dispatch agencies and they have agreed to monitor diversion from
there. Mr. Cote has the diversion site
web address if anyone would like it. Mr. Andrews also stated that Ms. Moriarty
feels that CMED should be the only one to make changes of diversion status for
the hospitals; and not the hospitals themselves. Mr. Coulombe asked if the state realizes that there are problems
with the dial up networks in this area.
Mr. Andrews stated that OEMS seems to be somewhat understanding about
our issues, and dial up is acceptable as long as it can be accessed in a hurry.
Action – None.
Shelburne
Mountain:
Discussion –
There
will be a meeting with Lt. Pinkham and Officer Witoski on September 18 at 9:00
a.m. at the Greenfield Council of Governments room to try to resolve these
communication issues. Mr. Manners
reports that the radio is still down and the state is denying responsibility for
maintenance. Mr. Manners feels that the
large HEAR radio took a lightening hit and the programming has been
destroyed. Mr. Hansen reports that
there is some gridlock at Shelburne Control due this problem. Mr. Manners
stated that they are pursuing another avenue, but he will discuss it at next
months meeting.
Action – Mr. Cote and Ms.
Moriarty to attend meeting.
Hampden
East Project:
Discussion –
Our
meeting was host to Mr. Bruce Marcus, of Marcus Communications. He spoke in
length about the project from the beginning to the point that we are at
now. While on site of the tower Mr.
Marcus, Mr. Cote, and Mr. Cerini found the .340 radio that was once used by
Wing Hospital. Mr. Marcus stated that it may be possible that this radio could
be utilized in our new system. Currently, Mr. Marcus hopes to convince the Grid
to use two antennas instead of one, and in this case he may be able to absorb
some of the charges. The next big step
is to get the license and channel frequencies and then they can begin to build.
Mr. Marcus informed the group that the state antenna is not optimal on Hovey
Hill and we will probably use the VHF site on the Grid’s Tower. Mr. Cote has made a proposal to Wing
Hospital that they cede us the radio and antenna and we will replace it with a
new one. Therefore, Wing will still have the same service that they currently
have. Mr. Andrews asked Mr. Marcus if his company can do the frequency
coordination and Mr. Marcus stated that they often do that. Mr. Cote mentioned to the group that there
seems to be some tension from Mr. Prairies office (SPD) and he will be meeting
with Mr. Prairie soon. Mr. Andrews asked if Mr. Cote would be in contact with
Mr. Marcus to follow up on the frequency allocation, and he stated that he
would. When Mr. Marcus was asked how
long the frequency allocation would take he stated 2-4 weeks.
Mr.
Coulombe asked if eventually Mary Lane would get a recorder, and Mr. Cote
responded that they would indeed get a recorder. Mr. Cerini informed the group
that he has found some old paperwork from the FCC regarding Wing.
Action – Mr. Cote to be in touch with Mr. Marcus
regarding frequency allocation.
Mr. Cote to meet with Mr. Prairie..
A
Radio for Mr. Cote:
Mr.
Cote made a request for a portable radio for his use in the event that there
was an MCI or other disaster. He feels
that this would be important during an MCI as he would be able to communicate
with numerous organizations. Mr.
Garrity felt that this would be beneficial and made a motion that the committee
purchase a radio for Mr. Cote. Discussion followed: Mr. Kupernik asked what Mr.
Cotes’ official title would be? Mr. Cote feels that his title would be the
same. With a basic radio and the knowledge of how things run in a disaster, he
could be another resource for services that may need assistance. Mr. Forgea is
not sure why Mr. Cote would need a radio when there are so many organizations
that already address communication issues.
Mr. Hopkins pointed out that Regions 2 and 5 have emergency vehicles and
radios and respond to emergency disasters as needed. Mr. Coulombe doesn’t feel that a portable radio is going to be
able to address these big communication issues. He has seen the Region 2 setup
and feels that this one works out well.
Mr. Cote responded to this by stating that the other regions all have
some type of emergency plans (and/or vehicles) and feels that they are all
moving towards some more centralized plan.
Mr. Cote feels that he could sit in their command centers and offer
advice, but feels that it would be beneficial to communicate on the way in. Mr.
Garrity feels that a hand held radio would work just fine. Mr. Hansen suggested a scanner, and Mr. Cote
agreed that he has thought about that.
Mr. Harrington suggested that if the committee could come up with a title
for Mr. Cote than this would introduce other possibilities. Mr. Coulombe feels that the committee should
talk to all of the services in the region to find out how they would receive
this type of help. He also agrees with Mr. Harrington that there needs to be a
title and we need to work out a plan for these communication ideas. Mr. Garrity then stated that he would take
back his original motion. Mr. Andrews
stated that the committee would work on developing a plan/title and the tasks
that would coincide with this title.
Mr. Forgea feels that this would be beneficial for the region, but he
also agrees that we need to talk to the services, such as Springfield Police
and see if they will accept the assistance.
Action – The committee will
continue to work on a job title and tasks.
Communication
Surveys:
Discussion –
Mr.
Andrews would like to see some type of book compiled that shows all of the
services and the channels that they are using.
Ms. Austin feels that this would be a good idea because it will make
people aware of those that never answered the survey. Mr. Andrews asked Mr. Cote if a database had already been created
with this information. Mr. Cote stated that it had. Mr. Andrews asked how many
surveys had been received from ambulance services to date. Mr. Cote responded that 41 were received and
15 surveys were not. Mr. Coulombe
stated that although we have discussed this before, he feels that it is time to
reach out to new members. Mr. Andrews suggested that communications be on the
monthly agenda for the county committee meetings.
Mr.
Andrews made a motion that a list of services and their channels be presented
at the October meeting. Mr. Coulombe
added to the motion that when letters and phone calls go out to the services
that haven’t replied, if they still do not reply, their information should be
left out of the book. These motions were approved with no abstentions. A motion was also made to produce a draft
document that includes PL and frequencies.
This motion was approved. A
question was asked if the committee could come up with a copy of manual from
CMED for next meeting. Mr. Cote will get this. Mr. Coulombe also asked if there
are standard operating procedures at the dispatch agencies for hiring new
personnel and updating for current personnel so they don’t forget procedures.
It was believed that there was some additional training.
Action – Mr. Cote to compile
lists from information received from surveys.
Mr. Cote to get a copy of manual from CMED.
The WMEMS office to contact the remaining services about
their absent surveys.
Next
Meeting:
Discussion –
A
motion was made to move the next meeting to October 11, 2001, instead of
October 4, due to conflicts for some members. This motion was approved, and the
next meeting will be on October 11, 2001 at 8:30 a.m. in the McCallum Living
Room.
Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn at 9:49 am. This motion was seconded
and approved unanimously.
Lisa
Herringshaw, Secretary, Recorder