Western Mass Emergency Medical Services Committee, Inc.

Meeting: Executive Committee

Date: October 4, 2001

Place: McCallum Building Date Room, CDH, Northampton

Presiding: Mary Cushman

Called to Order: 10:08 a.m.

Adjourned: 11:25 a.m.

Attendance:

Present - Ray Conway by proxy, Mary Cushman, Dan Harrington by proxy, Dana Johnson, Dave Keefe by proxy, Steve Manchino, Linda Moriarty, and Jeff Rawson

Excused – Brian Andrews and Robert Hopkins

Absent –

Guests - Lisa Herringshaw and Dawn Josefski

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

Old Business

Chairperson Letters:

Discussion –

A letter was drafted by Ms. Josefski and circulated among the committee. The following changes were noted: change “May 2002” to “until reappointed or replaced”. This change was recommended by the committee.

Action – Ms. Josefski to make the change and mail them to committee chairpersons.

Communications Committee Update:

Discussion –

There was no meeting held.

Action – None

WMEMS Office Job Descriptions:

Discussion –

Copies of job descriptions were circulated to committee members. Ms. Cushman reports that the committee wants to reevaluate how things are being done in the office. At the last executive committee meeting, it was decided that Ms. Herringshaw is doing tasks that would constitute a different title. Upon changing her title it was decided that it would be beneficial to look at all of the job descriptions to be sure that they match the tasks being accomplished.

Mr. Rawson suggested to leave the entry-level position of clerk receptionist open in case the need arises. All agreed with this. After discussion it was agreed that these job descriptions would be sent out to the missing members of todays meeting and this would be an agenda item for next month.

Action – Postponed to next months meeting.

Meeting Date for Committee Chairs:

Discussion –

Ms. Cushman would like to meet with the Committee Chairs after the next Regional Council meeting. After some discussion it was agreed that they would meet with chairs after the October meeting.

Action – None.

Informing Office of Changes/Concerns:

Discussion –

Ms. Cushman reported that at the last Executive Meeting they discussed the past practice of one person from executive committee taking information back to the office staff. It was thought that it would be more beneficial for a few of the members to communicate with the staff to provide different perspectives.

Action – None.

New Business

Memo from OEMS regarding Conflict of Interest:

Discussion –

Ms. Moriarty reports that OEMS has released a recent draft A/R re: conflict of interest for Regional Council members. After looking it over Ms. Moriarty states that there doesn’t appear to be anything in this latest draft that would make us change anything that we do. Ms. Moriarty does feel that we have to be very careful when voting on an organization that we are involved with. Ms. Cushman asked what type of safety nets are available for meetings in other organizations. Ms. Moriarty stated that American Heart has a policy where at the beginning of meetings there is an announcement that they have a conflict of interest policy and if anyone feels they have a conflict they need to see the chairperson/president. Upon doing this, the chairperson/president makes the decision whether the person can vote or not. It was decided that it would be important for Mr. Hopkins to make an announcement at every Regional Council meeting reminding members of the conflict of interest laws.

There was some discussion regarding possible modifications in the bylaws and also changing our disclosure form. Decision to wait for the final A/R before making changes.

Action – Ms. Moriarty to keep committee updated on A/R progress.

CMR Changes:

Discussion –

The new CMR changes have come out. Currently, they are moving through the system. There was a meeting held with EMCAB regarding service zone planning and first responder personnel. In these CMR changes they have taken out defib for ambulance services but not first responders. There have not been any public hearings set up as of yet. They have developed EFRs’ (Emergency Medical First Responders) which is a new level of service. Mr. Johnson asked how these EFRs’ will transport patients. Ms. Moriarty stated that they will not transport. Ms. Moriarty reports that there is still a great deal of discussion regarding this new level.

Action – None.

Donations from the BIG E:

Discussion –

Currently we are looking for a fund to benefit EMTs. We have received $200.00 from EMSCO and $550.00 from the BIG E booth. We have received a total of $4500 from all sources. Mr. Manchino wants us to make sure that 100% goes to the fund and not business expenses.

Action – WMEMS office to update committee on our search.

Meeting Times:

Discussion –

Mr. Manchino would like meetings to start as scheduled and end as scheduled. Ms. Moriarty suggested that communications schedule their meetings on a different day, or perhaps Executive Committee could start before communications committee meeting. Mr. Johnson feels that issue needs to be addressed at all meetings because all of them rarely start on time. Ms. Cushman feels that they need to start and end on time but also feels that there have been issues with the meeting locations. Ms. Moriarty reported that it is often hard to find space at CDH so our choices are limited. Ms. Moriarty suggested that county committee reports be eliminated at Regional Council, as this should shorten that meeting slightly.

After a great deal of discussion it was decided that the highest ranking officer present will start each meeting on time and end it on time. Ms. Cushman also feels that the office staff can pay attention to this and make sure that it is followed.

Action – WMEMS staff to remind the committees that the meetings need to start on time and

end on time.

Phone System:

Discussion –

Ms. Josefski reported that we are offered phone maintenance agreements yearly with Total Communications. Ms. Moriarty is not sure if we need this or not. We have only used them one time and we fixed this ourselves by rebooting the computer system. Ms. Moriarty has a cousin that works for this company and she will discuss this issue with him. Mr. Johnson feels that we should continue the coverage for one more year. Mr. Rawson wondered if we could get it for two years and get a discount. Ms. Moriarty reported that by doing that, it becomes an accounting issue with the state. Ms. Cushman asked if it covered equipment and Ms. Josefski stated yes.

After discussion, a motion was made that we would get the annual 24 hour a day, 7 day a week coverage. This motion was approved unanimously.

Action – WMEMS office to renew maintenance agreement with Total Communications.

BIG E Booth:

Discussion –

Ms. Cushman is concerned as she showed up as coordinator one day at the Big E and no one was there to work the booth. She wants to thank Mr. Cote and office staff for working these things out so everything could run as smooth as possible.

On this note, Ms. Moriarty wants to publicly thank Six Flags Maintenance for making the locked box at our booth. Ms. Cushman asked if we could send thank you cards and Ms. Moriarty stated that we could.

Action – WMEMS office to send thank you cards.

Next Meeting:

Discussion –

The next meeting will be held on December 6, 2001 at 10:00 am., as the meeting for November had been cancelled. This meeting will be held in the McCallum Living Room.

Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Lisa Herringshaw, Secretary, Recorder