Western Mass Emergency
Medical Services Committee, Inc.
Meeting:
Regional Council
Date: June 14, 2001
Place: Dakin, Conference Room A, CDH, Northampton
Presiding: Robert Hopkins, President
Called
to Order: 10:20 am
Adjourned: 11:25 am
Attendance:
Present
– Brian
Andrews, Felicia Bycenski, Michael Clapp, Dr. Ray Conway, Randy Cushing, Mary
Cushman, Dr. M.J. Dinneen, Francis Dresser, Harriet Dyer, Dianne Field, Daniel
Harrington, Robert Hopkins, Roberta Hover, Dana Johnson, Brian Keefe, Steve Manchino,
Linda Moriarty, Linda Murphy, David Neil, Barbara Pummell, Jeff Rawson, Wes
Stevenson, Laurie Tuper, and Michael Zlogar
Minutes: A motion was made to accept minutes as written. This was seconded and approved unanimously.
Physicians
Council Report:
Discussion –
Dr.
Dinneen reported that representatives from the Ware Fire Department attended
their meeting with an initial request for a P/B waiver. Representatives from Adams Ambulance were
also in attendance with an initial P/I waiver request. Both of these waivers were reviewed and are
recommended to Regional Council for approval.
The
latest diversion reports were discussed and all hospitals are doing fairly
well.
For
new business there was discussion about the dosing of Amiodarone. Studies have
shown that emphasis needs to be on administration of this medication over the
full ten minutes; not how the medication is mixed.
Dr.
Conway gave a report regarding the State Medical Services Committee meeting and
also presented Physician’s Council with a copy of the PAD Program affiliation
agreement that he is currently using.
Finally,
the council discussed Glucagon. It was agreed that if a hospital pharmacy
changes the form of delivery for a medication, the paramedic services that
utilize exchanges with these hospitals will be allowed to use the changed
form. Also, there was discussion about
returning Terbutalin to the list of approved Regional medications. It was voted
on and approved by Physicians’ Council.
Action – WMEMS office to send out
updated Regional Medication list.
WMEMS office to send out letter advising paramedic services about
using
medications that have a change in their form of delivery.
Executive
Directors Report:
Discussion –
Ms.
Moriarty reported back to the Council regarding ALS Exams and Reciprocity. After speaking with Lynn Doyle, it was found
that for reciprocity and challenging, an application is sent out and upon
return to OEMS the application is compared to a check list of required training
and experience. If there is anything
outside of the checklist, the application goes to Russ Johansen, and this where
the hold up is. It was asked if Ms.
Moriarty could obtain a copy of this checklist. She will check into it.
In
regards to the helicopter, Ms. Moriarty spoke to Mr. Restuccia and he believes
that Albany is closer to North Adams and they should be contacted. Many would like Life Flight to come as
opposed to Med Flight as they have a physician on board. Mr. Johnson asked, if Life Flight is called,
will they in turn forward a call to Med Flight. Ms. Moriarty believes that it is the ambulance services
responsibility to call for a flight.
Mr.
Harrington made a motion that the communications committee contact all
helicopter services and ask where the lines are for helicopter services. Ms.
Moriarty felt that this would be a good idea and Mr. Cote will check into this.
In
regards to the Big E, the flyers have been sent out and we are already getting
sign ups. A reminder that we can only
have two people per shift.
Information
was sent out from OEMS regarding Epi-Pens and Web Based Diversion Site. EMCAB has recommended that adult and
pediatric epi-pens be carried on all ambulances. One of the sheets sent out was a comment sheet. The comment
period ends July 20. There has been
some concern about services being able to obtain them. If this is a problem for
your service, please let OEMS know.
The
Web Based Diversion Comment Sheet: By October 2001 all hospitals, ambulance
services, or dispatch sites will be required to access this site 24 hours per
day, 7 days a week. Please read these
papers over and make comments. Mr.
Andrews stated that there was a great deal of discussion at the state communications meeting. Mr.
Prenney asked Ms. Moriarty if she had any idea how much it would cost to get
our region connected to this system so she is wondering if the state would be
able to assist our area with our expenses.
Also
sent out from OEMS to licensed ambulance services was the AR5-211 Special
Project Waiver. If anyone is interested in doing a special project, this needs
to be filled out.
According
to the state training committee, the state has not yet approved the training
programs for ALS Combitubes or LMA’s.
Finally,
there was a lawsuit settlement against a Massachusetts ambulance service for
$10 million for an incident that happened a few years ago resulting in a
permanent injury to a child. OEMS is
looking into a regulation whereby we report to them any “untoward” results of a
call. Ms. Moriarty has found out since that this lawsuit didn’t involve any
service in Region 1.
Action – Ms.
Moriarty to check into getting a reciprocity checklist from Lynn Doyle.
Mr. Cote to contact helicopter services to figure
out where lines are.
Treasurers
Report:
Discussion –
Ms.
Cushman reports that our checking account has a balance of $20253.32, Savings
Account $642.37, and the Scholarship Account is $6020.00.
Action – None
PIER
Committee:
Discussion –
Mr.
Cote circulated a sign up sheet looking for volunteers to be on this committee.
There is a state level PIER committee that educates the public in regards to
EMS . On a local level, there are many people that don’t know what we do. Mr. Cote is looking for suggestions about
how we can accomplish this.
Action – Notify the office if you
are interested in serving on this committee.
The Scholarship Form has been completed and presented to Regional Council for approval. Once this is approved, the WMEMS office will mail them out to all EMS services in Region 1.
Also,
more training programs need to be developed for sharing with the entire region.
Action – Upon Regional Council
approval, WMEMS office to mail out scholarship
application.
Communications
Committee:
Discussion –
The
Hampden East Project is currently being developed to solve some communications
problems in the Eastern part of the region.
We have received some money from the state under the condition that
construction be under way by June 30. If not, we lose the money. Currently, we
are looking at proposals. With this recent activity, the committee members seem
more enthusiastic. The RFP’s are out
with 2 proposals received from vendors. A review panel will be appointed to
review these proposals.
Mr.
Andrews stated there will have to be a special executive council meeting to
follow up the recommendations from the communications committee. There is a
possibility that if we are unable to come up with a plan by July 1, we could
get the money back next year.
Finally,
Mr. Cote would like to invite anyone that is interested to the monthly
committee meetings. If you are interested call Mr. Cote at 586-6065.
Action – Mr. Cote to continue to obtain proposals from vendors.
Awards
Committee:
Discussion –
At
this meeting there were 4 submissions. Two of these were approved and 2 needed
more information.
A
reminder: the award nomination forms are posted on the WMEMS website.
Action – WMEMS to notify award
receipiants.
Berkshire
County Report:
Discussion –
Berkshire
County held their EMS awards dinner.
There were 94 people attended and all felt it went very well.
Action – None
Franklin
County Report:
Discussion –
Franklin
County held their EMS awards dinner and it was well attended. All thought that Dr. Dinneen did an
excellent job speaking at this event.
Other
issues: there have been some communication problems in this area. Dispatching for BHS will now be done on High
Street. There have been some problems
with Shelburne Control and their dispatching the Franklin County committee is
working on this.
Action – None
Hampden
County Report:
Discussion –
They
held their EMS banquet and it was very good.
Also,
a special congratulations to Mr. Manchino on his appointment to Lieutenant.
Action – None
Hampshire
County Report:
Discussion –
The
EMS banquet was a huge success. At
their monthly meeting they looked at the roles and responsibilities of
Hampshire EMS. There appears to be some new interest in the committee and
this could be very promising for the
future.
Action – None
Bylaws
Committee:
Mr.
Andrews reports that the bylaws have been sent out to all reflecting the
changes that were noted. There was one change that had been missed in 4.2. This section refers to the at-large
positions. With revision he would like it to say “No more than 4 at-large
positions”. A motion was made to accept
the bylaw changes as distributed with the above addendum. The motion was seconded and approved
unanimously with 0 abstentions.
Action –WMEMS to amend the final
version of the bylaws and post on the website.
Committee
Chairperson Binders:
Discussion –
The
binders are on hold awaiting the final copy of the bylaws.
Action – Upon receiving the final
copy of bylaws, the binder can be completed
Scholarship
Application:
Mr.
Andrews had a question regarding the request for copies of federal taxes on the
scholarship application. Is this necessary?
His concern is that someone may not want to send their tax information
for fear it would get in the wrong hands.
Ms. Pummell feels that the income taxes are important because it can
reflect need. Ms. Cushman feels that
there could be something on this form that mentions it will be
confidential. Mr. Zlogar wondered if it
was necessary that all schedules be included as this could be very lengthy if
perhaps someone owns a business, etc.
Mr. Neil reports that he is on a scholarship committee and they do not
request tax information. Mr. Johnson
feels that many would be reluctant to report all income.
A
motion was made by Mr. Neil to amend line #1 to total household income for
previous year.
The
committee voted to accept this amendment.
A motion was made to approve this scholarship application with the above
correction noted. The motion was
seconded and approved unanimously with 0 abstentions.
Action – Upon making the
correction to line 1, the WMEMS office will distribute the
scholarship application to Region 1 EMS
services.
Ware
Fire Department Initial P/B Waiver:
Discussion –
A
motion was made to approve Ware Fire Departments P/B Waiver. This motion was
seconded and approved unanimously with 0 abstentions.
Action – The WMEMS office to send
a letter to OEMS.
Adams
Ambulance Initial P/I Waiver:
Discussion –
A
motion was made to approve Adams Ambulance P/I Waiver. This motion was seconded
and approved unanimously with 0 abstentions.
Action – The WMEMS office to send
a letter to OEMS.
Letters
to Services in Regards to Medications:
Mr.
Cushing made a motion that the WMEMS office or Regional Council draft and send
a letter to OEMS and the FDA in support of allowing ambulance services to purchase
medications from outside vendors (as at times this would be cost saving).
Action – Ms. Moriarty to send a
letter.
Discussion –
Ms.
Pummell announced the passing of Lee Desrosiers. He died last Saturday morning.
A motion was made to send Regional Councils condolences to Lees’ friends
and family. Mr. Hopkins directed the
WMEMS office to send a sympathy card to Joe Desrosiers, Lees’ brother, at Human
Services Training Consultants.
Action – The office to send a
card.
Mr.
Cushing announced the New England Fire Chiefs Show will be at the Big E June
22, 23, and 24. There will be a $5.00
charge per person.
From
the WMEMS office: Have a safe and happy summer and see you in September!!!!
Next
Meeting:
Discussion –
The
next meeting will be held on September 13, 2001 at 10:00 am. This meeting will be held in Dakin,
Conference Room A.
Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn at 11:25 am. This motion was
seconded and approved unanimously.
Lisa
Herringshaw, Secretary, Recorder