Western Mass Emergency Medical Services Committee, Inc.

 

Meeting:                     Executive Committee

Date:                           March 7, 2002

Place:                          McCallum Building Living Room, CDH, Northampton

Presiding:                   Robert Hopkins

Called to Order:         10:03 a.m.

Adjourned:                  11:14 a.m.

 

Attendance:

Present - Brian Andrews, Ray Conway, Mary Cushman, Robert Hopkins, Dana Johnson, Steve Manchino, Linda Moriarty, and Jeff Rawson

Present by Proxy – Dan Harrington

Absent – Dave Keefe

Guests – Annie Chou, Steve Cote, Lisa Herringshaw, and Dawn Josefski 

 

Conflict of Interest Statement:  The president opened the meeting with a conflict of interest statement. No one present had any conflicts to divulge for any items on the agenda.

 

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

                                                                                                   

Old Business

 

WMEMS Job Descriptions and Personnel Policy Update: 

            Discussion –

Mr. Andrews emailed Ms. Josefski the template and she is still working on them. This was tabled until next months meeting. Based on research Mr. Andrews recommends the title of clerk receptionist position remain as is.

 

            Action – Mr. Andrews to work with Ms. Josefski to get the job descriptions in the template.

 

WMEMS Personnel Policies:

            Discussion –

Mr. Andrews made the suggestion that committee members be assigned to deal with the different aspects of the policies. Mr. Hopkins agreed with this, and asked Mr. Andrews whom he would like to see on this committee. Mr. Andrews stated that he will contact members as he sees fit. In regards to the personnel policy changes, the finance committee has not met as of yet, and this was tabled until next month.

Action – The finance committee will meet and further investigate the personnel policies

 

Worker/Victim Relief Fund:

            Discussion –

Ms. Cushman went to the bank this morning and got a cashier check for $4912.53 (leaving $20.00 to keep the account open) to be sent to the NAEMT fund. Ms. Cushman made a motion that a letter be drafted by Ms. Moriarty to be included with this donation.  This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.  It was suggested that the Region should try to find a way to continue this fund. Ms. Josefski has taken the ad off of the website, but will put it back with different wording. Ms. Cushman also suggested that something be sent out to all of the services regarding the fund.

               

Action – The office to draft a letter to send with the donation to NAEMT.

 

Annual Meeting Guest Speaker:

            Discussion –

Mr. Andrews is attempting to obtain Jane Swift as this years’ guest speaker. There was some concern that it could be viewed that the council may be taking political sides. After brief discussion it was decided that the reason why she would be invited is that she is the current Massachusetts Governor, not because she would potentially be running for Governor in the next election. A motion was made to continue with Mr. Andrews attempt to have Jane Swift as guest speaker. This was seconded and approved unanimously.

 

            Action – Mr. Andrews to continue his attempt to get a guest speaker.

 

New Business

 

Review of Sexual Harassment Policy:

            Discussion –

After review, it was agreed that someone specific needed to be appointed to take any complaints of sexual harassment. All present felt that it needed to be someone outside of the office. A motion was made to have the appointed person be the current president of the WMEMS Corporation. Mr. Manchino agreed, but in the event that the problem involves the president there should be an alternative individual to take these complaints. Also, Mr. Manchino felt that this policy should be read and all should sign the document.  A motion was made to accept the sexual harassment policy. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.  Mr. Johnson made the request that once this document is finalized, all members of the executive committee and WMEMS employees receive copies.

           

Action – Ms. Josefski to make changes and bring final copy back to committee.

 

ADA/EOE Policies:

            Discussion –

After review, Ms. Moriarty stated that the same changes needed to be made as with the sexual harassment policy. As above, make the current president the person that takes complaints. A motion was made to accept this policy upon changes being made. This was seconded and approved unanimously. Mr. Andrews made the suggestion that once all of the policies and procedures are finalized packets should be made for each employee and a statement signed acknowledging receipt and understanding of the policies. All members present agreed.

           

Action – Ms. Josefski to make changes and bring final copy back to committee.

 

Eaton Freeman Award Recipients:

            Discussion –

The WMEMS office received four nominations for the Eaton Freeman Award this year. They are as follows:  Steve Syriac, Joe Desrosiers, Christopher McCarty and LucyAnn Britton

After lengthy discussion a ballot vote was held and the winner was chosen. A suggestion was made by a committee member to keep this years’ winner a surprise until the presentation at the Annual Meeting.  All agreed with this.

Dr. Conway made a motion that their respective counties recognize the nominees not chosen. All agreed with this.

 

Action – WMEMS office to order plaque for annual meeting.

 

 

 

10-Year Anniversary of Eaton Freeman Awards:

            Discussion –

Mr. Andrews suggested that all past winners be invited to this years meeting for a group picture. All present thought this was a good idea. There was discussion as to who would pay for these people, and it was tabled until Regional Council Meeting.

 

Action – Ms. Moriarty to mention this at Regional Council meeting.

              The office to send out a letter and invitation to past recipients.

 

Miscellaneous:

            Discussion –

Mr. Andrews asked Ms. Moriarty about the statewide Statewide Anti-Terrorism Unified Response Network (SATURN) team. Mr. Andrews wanted to know how EMS fits into all of this. Ms. Moriarty told the committee that she was going to speak with Mr. Prenney regarding this and would get back to the committee.

 

Action – Ms. Moriarty to speak with Mr. Prenney.

 

 

Next Meeting:

            The next meeting will be held on April 4, 2002 at 10:00 am. in the McCallum Building Living Room.

 

Adjourn:  At 11:14 a.m. a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

 

 

Lisa Herringshaw, Recorder