Western Mass Emergency
Medical Services Committee, Inc.
Meeting:
Regional Council
Date: November 8, 2001
Place: McCallum Living Room, CDH, Northampton
Presiding: Robert Hopkins, President
Called
to Order: 10:06 am
Adjourned: 10:47 am
Attendance:
Present
Felicia
Bycenski, Dr. Ray Conway, Randy Cushing, Dr. M.J. Dinneen, Harriet Dyer,
Richard Gebo, Terry Goodrich, Daniel Harrington, John Hayden, Robert Hopkins, Roberta
Hover, Dave Keefe, Steve Manchino, Linda Moriarty, Dave 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 reports that there was discussion regarding the Initial P/B Waiver from
Adams Ambulance. The Physicians Council recommends that this application be
approved. Also discussed was the P/B Waiver Renewal from West Springfield Fire
Department. This application is also recommended for approval from Regional
Council.
There
was lengthy discussion about the new State Protocols effective November 1.
Summary sheets were going to be sent to all of the services from OEMS. The
Physicians Council has developed a Regional Outline for the administration of
Aspirin. This will only be given out to
services by their Medical Director.
Finally,
the Ambulance Diversion Plan was discussed. There have been 5 sets of
procedures for diversion throughout the commonwealth. The last set is now out for approval. The Physicians have agreed on this as it is very similar to what
we do now for diversion. Ms. Moriarty reports that this current edition needs
to be voted on in all of the Regions and the decision from our region will then
be brought to the State DPH Diversion Meeting. Region 5 has voted this down as
they feel there should be no diversion at all.
Action Regional Council to vote on the Adams
Ambulance and West Springfield Fire Department P/B Waivers.
Treasurers
Report:
Discussion
There
was no report given this month.
Action None
Executive
Directors Report:
Discussion
The
new State Protocols have been released effective November 1, 2001. OEMS is
still making some revisions for a few of the protocols. Ms. Josefski spoke to
Mr. Quail at OEMS, and he reports that any new changes will be posted to their
website.
Regarding
Aspirin for chest pain: the outline must be distributed by Medical Directors as
only certain qualified personnel can do the training.
Lactated
Ringers: This is now standing orders for burns and is required for all ALS
Ambulances.
Also,
note that a couple medications have been taken off.
Mr.
Keefe asked if it would be possible for OEMS to date their postings to the web
so we can ascertain what the new updates are.
Action Ms.
Moriarty to suggest to OEMS that they date their web postings.
Training Committee:
Discussion
There
were four applications reviewed for the scholarships. One application was
incomplete and will be sent back to that person by the WMEMS office. The
following awards were granted:
Mary Stuart Scholarship Fund:
$200.00 awarded to John Meaney
Ben Jones Scholarship Fund:
$300.00 awarded to Kevin Shepard and
$200.00
awarded to Helene Gingras
Also,
there will not be a meeting in January. The next Training Committee will be in
February at 9:30 a.m.
Action WMEMS office to send out notification to
award recipients.
PIER
Committee:
There
was no report given this month.
Action None
Communications
Committee:
Discussion
No
meeting was held in November.
Action
None.
Awards
Committee:
Discussion
Ms.
Hover reports that 31 applications were submitted with 17 approved. 14 applications need additional information
and will be returned to the person filing the nomination.
Action Office to return
applications for additional information.
MCI
Committee:
Discussion
Captain
Keefe reports that he is in the process of setting a date for the first
meeting. Upon speaking to Ms. Moriarty
today a meeting was set for November 26, 2001 at 6:00 p.m. at Cooley Dickinson
Hospital. The WMEMS office will send
out a meeting notice to all services and interested parties.
Action WMEMS office to book meeting location
and send out a memo.
Trauma
Committee Report:
Discussion
There
was no meeting held. This committee is currently looking for new members. If
anyone is interested in joining this committee, please see Mary Cushman.
Action None
Nursing
Services:
Discussion
If
anyone is interested in joining this committee, please see Lucy Britton. They
are currently looking for new members.
Action None
County
Committee Reports:
Discussion
Captain
Keefe reports that Hampshire County will have their meeting on November 12 at
7:00 p.m.
Mr.
Harrington reports that Berkshire County is working on their MCI Plans.
Hampden
County is also working on their MCI Plans.
Mr.
Zlogar would like people that are working on the MCI Committee to be in contact
with LEPC.
Action None
EMS
Worker/Victim Relief Fund:
Discussion
Mr.
Irish faxed the WMEMS office information regarding an account that has been
established that will specifically benefit the EMTs families. Also, Mr.
Andrews informed the office that the National EMT Association has established
funds for EMS workers. Mr. Cushing feels that it is important that we
investigate the organizations that we are considering to be certain that a
large percentage of the money will go towards the families as opposed to the
organization. Mr. Neil made a motion
that Executive Board be granted the authority to send the money to an
organization they see fit when the time arises. This motion was seconded and
carried unanimously with no abstentions.
Action None.
Follow
Up on Bioterrorism:
Discussion
Ms.
West has given Mr. Hopkins information on a training program that will be held
at the VA Hospital. If anyone is interested see him for the information. Also, Ms. West said that there is an
interesting website with bioterrorism information at www.biomedtraining.org
Action None.
Anthrax
Information from DPH:
Discussion
Members
of the Regional Council mentioned their concern that DPH was very delayed in
their response to the Anthrax issues.
Ms. Moriarty reports that this problem was relayed to DPH and their
response was minimal.
Action None.
Protocol
Update:
The
New Protocols are currently posted on the OEMS website and there is a link to
them from the WMEMS website. Mr. Harrington asked if the Aspirin Training
Program is posted on the WMEMS website.
Ms. Josefski informed the council that all of the Medical Directors will
receive a copy of Aspirin Training
Program outline that will be circulated by them to those they designate to
teach this protocol.
Action None
West
Springfield Fire Department P/B Waiver Renewal:
Discussion
With
the recommendation from Physicians Council, a motion was made to approve the
West Springfield Fire P/B Waiver Renewal. This motion was seconded and approved
unanimously with 1 abstention, Mr. Manchino.
Action Ms. Josefski to send a
letter to OEMS regarding this approval.
Adams
Ambulance Initial P/B Waiver:
Discussion
With
the recommendation from Physicians Council, a motion was made to approve the
Adams Ambulance Initial P/B Waiver. This motion was seconded and approved
unanimously with 1 abstention, Ms. Hover.
Action Ms. Josefski to send a
letter to OEMS regarding this approval.
State
Ambulance Diversion Policy:
Discussion
After
reviewing the State Ambulance Diversion Policy, a motion was made to approve
this plan. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.
Action Notification to DPH of
Region Ones acceptance of the plan.
Next
Meeting:
Discussion
The
next meeting will be held on January 10, 2002 at 10:00 am. This meeting will be held in Dakin, Conference
Room A.
Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn at 10:47 am. This motion was
seconded and approved unanimously.
Lisa
Herringshaw, Secretary, Recorder
The WMEMS Office Wishes
Everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!