Western Mass Emergency Medical Services Committee, Inc.

 

Meeting:                     Regional Council

Date:                           March 14, 2002

Place:                          Dakin, Conference Room A, CDH, Northampton

Presiding:                   Robert Hopkins, President

Called to Order: 10:15 am       

Adjourned:                  11:10 am

 

Attendance:

Present – Lucy Britton, Felicia Bycenski, Michael Clapp, Dr. Ray Conway, Dr. M.J. Dinneen, Francis Dresser, Harriet Dyer, Dianne Field, Daniel Harrington, Robert Hopkins, Lee Irish, Dana Johnson, Steve Manchino, Linda Moriarty, Linda Murphy, David Neil, Barbara Pummell, Jeff Rawson, Wes Stevenson, Laurie Tuper, and Michael Zlogar
Present by Proxy – Francesca Austin, Randy Cushing, Mary Cushman, Terry Goodrich, and John Hayden
Excused – Brian Andrews, Patrick Eline, and Dave Keefe

Absent – Kevin Andrews, Richard Gebo, Roberta Hover, Brian Keefe, Harvey Madonick, and Bruce Stump

Guests – Annie Chou, Steve Cote, Tracy DiSilva, Lisa Herringshaw, Dawn Josefski, and Dennis Tuper

 

Conflict of Interest Statement

 

Minutes:  The attachment that was included with the February minutes (for expiring Board of Directors) needs to be changed to reflect that there are two members from each of the four counties that will be expiring in April. Berkshire County was listed twice and Franklin County inadvertently omitted.  A motion was made to accept minutes as corrected.  This was seconded and approved unanimously.

                       

Committee Reports

 

Physicians Council Report: 

            Discussion –

Dr. Dinneen reported on the meeting held this morning. The members present reviewed the diversion statistics from February. On Friday March 8th, Dr. Dinneen and Ms. Josefski attended the state Medical Control task force meeting. The task force has completed the ‘Standards for Providing Medical Direction and Oversight’ document and it will be forwarded to the State Medical Services Committee for further review.  During the task force meeting there was a lengthy and occasionally heated discussion on the use of P/B Waivers. It was very apparent that different regions have varying opinions. All agreed that the current regulation of Paramedic/Paramedic is the ideal staffing configuration but there still needs to be some flexibility for regions such as western Massachusetts and the Cape/Islands.  The Region One physicians discussed the issue of creating a Regional Policy for canceling paramedic services. Due to the many different configurations of ALS/BLS and contract specifications it was decided that there should not be a regional policy but rather each service in conjunction with their medical director should develop their own policy.

Action – None.

 

Executive Directors Report:

            Discussion –

Ms. Moriarty reported that the state has not rescheduled the public hearing. Once WMEMS gets word of rescheduling we will inform services.  The state is holding an EMS Summit on April 2, 2002.  The Statewide PIER Committee is going to roll out their “HeartSafe Communities” at this event. They are currently looking for AED survivors from this area. If anyone knows of any contact Mr. Cote at the WMEMS office. Finally, Ms. Moriarty reported that there is money for Bioterrorism coming in from the state. OEMS is planning on attending some of the state meetings to inform them of this money.

 

Action – WMEMS to notify services of rescheduled public hearing upon receiving a date.

 

Treasurers Report:

            Discussion –

Ms. Josefski reported that there is 97115.18 in the checking account, 680.90 in the savings account, 5902.48 in the Scholarship account, and a check from the EMS Victim/Worker Relief fund for 4912.53 went to the NAEMT EMS fund to be used for NYC EMS victims of 9/11. The EMS Victim/Worker Relief Fund was kept open with $20.00 and can be used in the future for regional EMS needs.

           

Action – None.

 

Awards Committee:

            Discussion –

The Awards Committee approved 15 save nominations and 3 meritorious nominations. There are 14 applications that still need more information.

 

            Action – Office to send out letters to award recipients.

           

Communications Committee:

            Discussion –

Mr. Cote reported that the Hampden East Project is slowly moving forward. Currently, there are some equipment issues, but these are almost resolved. Mr. Cote believes that the VHF portion should be up and running at the end of next month.  There is an upcoming State Communication meeting that will be at Milford Fire Department at 10:00 a.m. on March 27. Mr. Cote believes that there will be representation from DPH in attendance. At this meeting, there should be some discussion regarding diversion and who is being contacted at the communication centers.

 

           

PIER Committee:

            Discussion –

Mr. Clapp reported that at their first meeting in February there were five people in attendance, with 2 additional people excused from this meeting. After lengthy discussion, they were able to name three different target groups.  They discussed the types of information that would be beneficial for different groups, such as leaflets, and pamphlets, or presentations to different groups. Also discussed at this meeting was compiling a newsletter, awards, and media contacts. Mr. Clapp emphasized to the council that they are open for any suggestions, such as any programs that have worked in the past, etc.  The committee meets the third Wednesday of every month at 7 PM in the McCallum building and they are looking for new members/ideas.

 

               

MCI Committee:

            Discussion –

There was no meeting held this month. Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of every month at 7 PM in the McCallum building and they are looking for new members.

 

Training Committee:

Discussion –

There was no meeting held this month. The next Training Committee will be May 9th at 9:30 a.m.

 

 

Trauma Committee Report:

            Discussion –

Ms. Bycenski reported that a meeting was held March 13. They are still looking for new members, especially EMTs.  The committee created goals and are currently beginning to work on developing strategies to accomplish them. Their next meeting will be April 10 at 8:45 a.m. in the McCallum building living room.

 

County Committee Reports:

           

No information given.

               

Old Business

 

Annual Meeting:

            Discussion –

Currently, Mr. Andrews is attempting to get Jane Swift as the guest speaker. Ms. Moriarty reported to the council that last year the office had to pay a significant amount of money to meet the expenses. Ms. Moriarty suggested eliminating appetizers or raising the price per person. After discussion a motion was made to keep the appetizers and raise the price to $35.00 per person. This was seconded and approved unanimously.

Also discussed was a suggestion to invite all of the past Eaton Freeman Award recipients, as this is the tenth year of the award. A suggestion was made that the WMEMS office pays for their meals. Ms. Bycenski felt that it wasn’t necessary for the office to pay for their meals, but perhaps buy them corsages instead. All agreed that the office should not pay for their meals. Also discussed was meal costs for legislative members. After discussion it was agreed that they receive invitations and if they accept, their respective county services would cover the cost.

The annual board of director elections will be held at the April 11th meeting.  Each county has two positions open and the President and Treasurer positions expire this year. Any person with nominations should contact Mr. Johnson (charamb@crocker.com). The have been nominations for Mr. Hopkins for President and Ms. Cushman for Treasurer.

           

Action – None.

 

New Business

 

EMS Week:

            Discussion –

EMS Banquets will be held on the following days:

      May 17   Berkshire County: South Mountain Grill

      May 21   Hampden County: Six Flags

      May 23   Hampshire County: Smith Vocational High School

      May 24    Franklin County:  Shelburne Falls Eagles

 

            Action – None.

 

Franklin County Concerns:

Discussion –

Mr. Johnson, at request of the Franklin County EMS Committee, asked Regional Council why EMT’s have to get a defib card through the Region for $10.00 (for 2 year card), when they get AED cards through American Heart Association.  Mr. Johnson also asked why paramedics in Region 1 needed optional skills cards. Mr. Hopkins stated that not all regions do what Region 1 does, but the Regional Committees have decided that they want the WMEMS office to provide oversight and maintain records. Ms. Moriarty suggested that both items be discussed at Physician’s Council and Executive Council.  After lengthy discussion, both items were forwarded to Physicians Council for consideration.

 

            Action – Put these two issues on the agenda for the April Physician’s Council meeting.

 

Epi Pen Question:

            Discussion –

After receiving a letter from OEMS regarding epi-pen training, Mr. Johnson asked Ms. Moriarty if all EMTs were required to obtain new training in epi-pen even though they have already had it. Ms. Moriarty informed Mr. Johnson that all he is required to do is send in the registration form and check to the Division of Food and Drugs, and if people have already had the training in epi-pens, they will be all set.

           

            Action – None.

 

           

Recertification Fee and Con-Ed Status:

                Discussion –

Mr. Manchino asked Ms. Moriarty if OEMS was going to provide EMTs with online access to their continuing education credits, as our recredential fee was now $75.00.  Ms. Moriarty stated that at a meeting she just attended, it was discussed that OEMS was going to spend the money to create this type of program.

 

            Action – None.

 

EMT Benefit:

                Discussion –

Mr. Hopkins reported that a benefit is going to be held for EMT Shawn Fitzgerald, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment. Having worked with a few different services over the past 20 or so years, he is now currently employed with BHS. The benefit will be held on April 12, at the Polish Club in South Hadley. The buffet will be at 6:00 p.m. followed by a D.J., cash bar, and raffle prizes. The tickets are $20.00 and if anyone is interested in attending please contact the WMEMS office, Gina Zalenski, Bob Moore, Dave Pepin, Chuck Roode, or Mr. Hopkins.

 

            Action – None.

 

Next Meeting:

            Discussion –

The next meeting will be held on April 11, 2002 at 5:30 p.m.  This meeting will be held at the Delaney House in Holyoke.

 

Adjourn:  A motion was made to adjourn at 11:10 am. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

 

 

Lisa Herringshaw, Recorder