Western Mass Emergency Medical Services Committee, Inc.

Meeting: Regional Council

Date: October 11, 2001

Place: McCallum Living Room, CDH, Northampton

Presiding: Robert Hopkins, President

Called to Order: 10:04 am

Adjourned: 11:16 am

Attendance:

Present – Brian Andrews, Francesca Austin, Lucy Britton, Felicia Bycenski, Michael Clapp, Randy Cushing, Mary Cushman, Dr. M.J. Dinneen, Francis Dresser, Patrick Eline, Dianne Field, Richard Gebo, Daniel Harrington, John Hayden, Robert Hopkins, Roberta Hover, Lee Irish, Dana Johnson, Dave Keefe, Linda Moriarty, Linda Murphy, Dave Neil, Barbara Pummell, Jeff Rawson, Laurie Tuper, and Michael Zlogar

Present by Proxy – Kevin Andrews, Dr. Ray Conway, Harriet Dyer, Terry Goodrich, Steve Manchino, Wes Stevenson, and Bruce Stump

Excused – Brian Keefe,

Absent –Harvey Madonick

Guests - Louis Durkin, Lisa Herringshaw, Dawn Josefski, Dean Rothman, James Scliopou, and Dennis Tuper

Mr. Hopkins wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts while he was in New York City. He would also like to thank Mr. Andrews for taking over leadership of the committees while he was away.

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

Committee Reports

Physicians Council Report:

Discussion –

There were no votes today as there wasn’t a quorum.

Dr. Dinneen sent a letter to OEMS regarding infusion pumps.

Letters have been sent out to non-represented hospitals.

In regards to the LAPSS Screen changes- OEMS is currently developing protocols for this. This has not been put in motion yet, so the Physicians Council would still like this implemented.

Ms. Moriarty discussed the Hospital Diversion Website with the council.

Finally, Dr. Hayden discussed Neurosurgery coverage at Berkshire Medical Center.

Action – The WMEMS office to continue to make changes on LAPSS Screen and mail them to

services.

Treasurers Report:

Discussion –

Ms. Cushman reports that our checking account has a balance of $123649.58, Savings Account $680.90, and the Scholarship Account is $6154.10, and the EMS Worker/Victim Relief Fund is $4741.50.

Ms. Cushman informed the Council that the WMEMS drop box at the Big E raised $500.00 + for the EMS Worker Fund, and many of the donations to the office came from New York.

Action – None

Executive Directors Report:

Discussion –

Ms. Moriarty reported that all hospitals, CMEDS, and Dispatch agencies are getting a letter from DPH regarding the Diversion Website. Hospitals will have to call Springfield CMED to make any diversion changes to this site. DPH has also mentioned that in the future this website will be a resource website. Ms. Moriarty feels that we will have to wait and see if this works as they hope.

Report Cards for EMTs that expire April 1, 2002, will go out later this month. Mr. Rawson asked if these report cards could go out a little earlier in the year to lessen the last minute rush for con-ed credits. Ms. Moriarty stated that we could mention this, but she is unsure if this would change anything.

Regarding epi-pens: A letter was sent out from OEMS stating that these needed to be on ambulances by October 1. OEMS is now asking that epi-pens be on ambulance by November 1.

In regards to agreements with Life Flight: Ms. Josefski spoke to Marc Restuccia and he stated that there does not need to be any written agreement with Life Flight. He is unsure about the other services, but there does not need to be any agreement with Life Flight.

In terms of budget, the Governor and House/Senate have not agreed on a budge. Ms. Moriarty spoke with Mr. Prenney and he believes that we will be level funded.

The new State Protocols will be out by November 1. OEMS will send out a memo informing services of protocol changes, but the whole document will be on the web.

Action – None.

Training Committee:

Discussion –

No meeting was held this month. The next meeting will be held on November 8, 2001.

Action – None

PIER Committee:

Discussion –

Mr. Clapp reports that the group is trying to figure out where to take this committee. They are looking at what has been done in the past for outreach to the community. They are considering sending out a survey. Finally, they are trying to establish areas of need such as the EMS community and the Lay Public, such as community administration. They are open to any suggestions, and they are looking for new members.

Mr. Hopkins feels that the Legislative Breakfast and the Big E are good outreach events. Mr. Clapp agreed and feels that if they were to send out a survey they may be able to identify needs and interest.

Action – None

Communications Committee:

Discussion –

Mr. Andrews reports that they are still waiting to get absent surveys back that were mailed out some months ago. Mr. Andrews is going to get this list from Mr. Cote and contact those services himself. This information is needed as it is all going to be compiled into a resource manual and will be given out to different organizations. Mr. Andrews is also planning on working with the MCI Committee so he can explain the use of this manual.

Mr. Andrews is going to get some definitive answers from OEMS as to what this Diversion Website is supposed to accomplish.

Currently, the Hampden East Project is ongoing. We are in the process of working out FCC information.

There was discussion at our meeting regarding compiling a newsletter to send out to agencies/services to let them know what we are about.

Finally, the committee is asking people to come forward with any communication problems in your area, and call us so we can add them to a list of potential projects.

The Communication Committee will be meeting on November 8 at 8:30 a.m. in the McCallum Building Living Room, prior to Regional Council meeting.

Action – Mr. Andrews to get list of unreturned surveys from Mr. Cote and contact them.

Awards Committee:

Discussion –

There was no meeting held this morning. If anyone is interested in joining this committee, please contact the WMEMS office.

Action – None

MCI Committee:

Discussion –

Captain Keefe would like to know what the Regional Councils opinion is of gaining members for this committee. Should the positions be appointed or volunteer? Mr. Hopkins believes that Ms. Moriarty should be able to provide a template for progress. Capt. Keefe feels that they need members from each county. Ms. Josefski reported that once they decide on a meeting date, the office can put it on our website and we can also send a memo out to services. Ms. Moriarty stated that the Executive Committee may have to set up some guidelines about attendance. We can send something out to all of the new committees. Mr. Keefe would like to meet with Ms. Moriarty to work on a mission statement and then he can iron out dates for the meetings.

Action – Mr. Keefe to work with Ms. Moriarty to develop a mission statement and then decide

on meeting dates.

Once meeting dates are set, Mr. Keefe to let the WMEMS office know and they can be

posted on the website.

Trauma Committee Report:

Discussion –

Ms. Cushman would like anyone that is interested in this Committee to speak to her and let her know what times or places would work well for them. Ms. Cushman is anxious to get this committee up and running and welcomes any new members.

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 –

Berkshire County reports that they are currently integrating their MCI plans. Mr. Andrews is calling all of the services and trying to figure out how to get them into place. He also reported that they have made two donations, with one through the WMEMS office for the EMS Worker/Victim Relief fund.

There was no further announcements from the county committees.

Action – None

Bylaws Committee:

Discussion –

No meeting was held.

Action – None

Old Business

Chairperson Meeting:

Discussion –

Mr. Hopkins will contact all committee chairs to set up a meeting. Ms. Cushman asked if they could meet after this meeting. Mr. Hopkins stated that they could if everyone was here.

Action – If the committee chairs do not meet after this meeting, Mr. Hopkins will set up a

meeting at a different time.

EMS Worker/Victim Relief Fund:

Discussion –

Currently the WMEMS office has $4741.50. Mr. Andrews gave Ms. Herringshaw a donation from the Pittsfield Elks Club so the above figure will go up some. We are currently still looking at funds to send this money to. Ms. Josefski wanted to thank Noble Hospital as they donated over $1800.00 to this fund. Ms. Cushman suggested that we make some type of poster to bring to all of the hospitals informing them of our account. Mr. Andrews suggested that we mail out a memo to all of the services regarding the fund. Ms. Cushman also suggested sending out information to medical suppliers, businesses, etc. Mr. Hopkins also pointed out that we could remind everyone that their donation is a tax deduction. Capt. Keefe feels that it is important that once we make the donation to an organization we do a press release. All agreed with this.

Action – None.

Big E Update:

Discussion –

The Big E was fairly successful this year. We did have a few occasions where people didn’t show up for shifts. Ms. Cushman reports that we were able to distribute a great deal of material at the booth. The WMEMS office is also beginning to look for more material to circulate at the Big E if anyone can obtain any.

Action – None.

New Business

BioTerrorist Information:

Discussion –

Mr. Gebo asked the Council if they were aware of any services that were discussing procedural responses or equipment lists in the event of bio terrorism. After lengthy discussion, Ms. Moriarty stated that OEMS and DPH, among many other organizations, are currently working on these issues. Ms. Austin stated that courses will be run through different organizations, and if people are interested thay can go to her agencies website for information.

Action – None

Meeting Start Times:

Discussion –

Mr. Johnson informed the Council that at the last Executive Committee Meeting it was brought up that many of the WMEMS Committee Meetings are not started on time, nor finished in a timely manner. The general consensus of the Executive Committee was that even if time begins to run short, the meeting needs to come to an end as scheduled. Ms. Moriarty stated that in an attempt to help the time problem at Regional Council, Executive Council feels that County reports can be eliminated unless there is something of importance that needs to be discussed.

Action – None

MCI Concerns:

Discussion –

Mr. Andrews is concerned that Western Mass. is not ready to handle a MCI. He would like to recommend that the MCI Committee create a task force to get some response in this region and perhaps outside of it if necessary. He also suggested that the first task to accomplish this would be to get a list together of vehicles, equipment, and personnel.

Action – Regional Council members to continue discussing ideas with the MCI Comm.

Letter Regarding Purchasing Medications:

Discussion –

Mr. Cushing asked if the WMEMS office had received any feedback regarding purchasing medications. Ms. Moriarty stated that we have not received any response.

Action – None

Next Meeting:

Discussion –

The next meeting will be held on November 8, 2001 at 10:00 am. This meeting will be held in Dakin, Conference Room A.

Adjourn: A motion was made to adjourn at 11:16 am. This motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Lisa Herringshaw, Secretary, Recorder