DISTRICT BOARD MINUTES January 2003

January 9, 2003

Meeting called to order at 18:35 hrs at St. Mikes

Minutes for December 12, 2002 were approved.

In Attendance were:

(R) Deborah Baron , Chair, Grand Isle Rescue, Chair
(R) Lee Jones, Richmond Rescue/IBM Rescue
(R) Sean Collins, Essex Rescue
(R) UVM Rescue - Absent
(R) Bob Stone, Charlotte Rescue - Absent
(R) Huntington First Response - Absent
(R) Milton Rescue - Absent
(A) Keith Robinson, St. Michael’s Rescue
(V) Jim Laskarzewski, St. Michael’s Rescue
(R) South Hero Rescue - Absent
(R) Megan Cross, Shelburne Rescue
(R) Chris Putnam, Hinesburg First Response
(R) South Burlington Fire Department - Absent
(R) Mile Richard, Burlington Fire Department
(A) Bill McNamara, Burlington Fire Department
(R) Essex Town Fire Dept - Absent
(R) Vergennes Area Rescue - Absent
(R) Jim Kellog, Essex Jct. Fire Dept
(A) Jason Ziter, Colchester Rescue
(R) Gil Helmken, FAHC- ER
(R) Scott Jacobs, Williston Rescue
(R) Kirsten Jaquith, FAHC-Radio Room
(R) Peter Weimersheimer, FAHC ED
Rebecca Webb, GI/SMRS Training Coordinator
(A) Stephen Mattison. Mallets Bay Fire Dept.
(V) Chip Brooks, Mallets Bay Fire Dept.
(V) Ray Walker, VT EMS

INTRODUCTIONS:

Chip Brooks, Mallets Bay Fire Department.

CORRESPONDENCE:

Product recall - Heparin / Saline Lock pre-filled syringes by Baxter

Prospective vendors for the EMS conference

Instructor Coordinator Certification

Memo on mutual aid plans

The final version of the EMS rule changes were mailed out to all squads

TREASURER REPORT

No Report

STATE EMS OFFICE

Ray Walker came to discuss some issues that were raised in December concerning the recert exams and timing of CE paperwork. The reasons for the change from April/May and November/December to February and October were explained to Ray. These being primarily so that the recert exams did not occur at the same time as the class testing and so that people who needed to file for their National recert would have their requirements completed by the end of March. Ray stated that one of the problems at the State Office was matching up the CE paperwork with the exams. This is a problem as some people wait until April to complete and send in their CE’s. He requested that the CE paperwork be turned in at the time the exam is taken to help resolve this issue. In the past year 70 people did not turn in their paperwork when taking the exam and of those, about 35 were from District #3 Ray also stated that all the people who need to recert from now to June should have the application by January 17, 2003. One other item from December was the discussion if the state had any requirements of time necessary between certification as an EMT-B and taking the EMT-I class. The only requirements are that the EMT-B certification be completed before the student is allowed to start the EMT-I class. This means that all practical and written exams have been passed and the results have been received.

MEDICAL DIRECTION:

Pediatric IV protocol - any patient under 18 needs consent. A formal protocol is being drafted on doing blood draws on patients that have had an IV started. There will be more information on this at the February meeting.

A protocol on clarification of spinal immobilization for EMT-I’s was signed. This will be posted on the District 3 WEB site.

A protocol on the use of Pulse Oximetry for EMT-I’s was signed. This will be posted on the District 3 WEB site.

Both of the above protocols will require in house training and are For EMT-I personnel only.

The DNR sheets are still in progress. This needs to be presented to the Executive Committee in February. This should be completed by the March Board meeting.

MHCIC:

The doorway between the radio room and the administration area has been completed. Please do not use the Radio Room to do your paper work unless no other rooms are available. If you do find it necessary to use the Radio Room, only the person doing the report will be allowed in this area.

Usage of the entrance by room 4 has decreased and the staff wants to thank all EMT’s for making this happen. However if you have a critical or unstable patient, then you should use the short way in and not the long hall. It was also mentioned that all crews have done a good job on cutting down on the amount linens used. If you find the stock depleted, notify the person in the Radio Room and they will get it restocked. The permeant entrance to the NEW ER looks like it will have an air curtain. This will fix a long standing problem of air infiltration while entering and leaving the ER.

With the start of new EMT-B and EMT-I classes, all students that are doing their ER observation are asked to sign up for a time slot. The staff is asking that only one student be in for any given shift.

Two new protocols were submitted by Peter Weimersheimer as stated above. These will be on the WEB Site within the next few days.

An update of the backup list to include First Response Squads will be initiated. This will also include the phase IV and V responses to the airport and the move up list.

Combitube classes scheduled for February in Colchester and March in Charlotte. A Combitube class was scheduled in St. Albans on January 14^th and 16^th

EMS Conference will be April 2^nd to 6^th . Mailing of information will occur mid February to mid March.

Monday night January 13^th was the retest scheduled for the EMT-B and EMT-I classes. This includes both written and practical.

The EMT-B and EMT-I spring classes start the week of January 13^th. Both classes are full with a standby list of 11 people for the EMT-I class.

The first response class had all students pass module 3. Module 4 is starting. A new First Responder class is being scheduled in April at Colchester.

A letter was sent to all squads about an EMS School that is holding a Hazmat Incident Command class. Applications were due by January 15, 2003.

Kevin Williams has resigned as one of the proctors used for first response classes and modules. This leaves the District with two proctors, Gill Helmken and Susan Blanton. Barb Young and Gwyn Engelken have expressed interest and will be appointed as proctors.

BFD is interested in holding recert exams during the day to accommodate their people. They have approximately 40 people who need to recert. They are proposing to have 3 days to cover all shifts. The State EMS office is in favor of holding these exams, since it would involve overtime for the State employees. Each day would have a written and practical session. There would need to be enough evaluators each day to handle the practical stations. It is estimated that these people would have to commit 3 to 4 hours those days. The practical would be either a morning or afternoon session.

The March meeting will be held at Essex Rescue, due to other activities at St. Mikes making the rooms unavailable.

The new Chairperson of the Fletcher Allen Board, Louise McCarren will be going to Grand Isle to meet with Grand Isle Rescue. She would like to be invited to other squads.