DISTRICT # 3 BOARD MEETING MINUTES - MARCH 14, 2002

Meeting called to order by the Chair at 1835 hours in the Hall of Fame Room, St. Michael’s College.

Motion to accept the minutes from the February meeting made by Lee, second by Dan.  Lee noted there were times in the Board minutes where a reference was made to see the Training Committee minutes but the Training Committee minutes were not sent out for February.  So noted.  Motion passes.

Attendance:

Visitor:

Correspondence:

Debbie read a letter from Peter Keibel regarding the February EMT recertification.  Peter thanked all squads for help as things went smooth.  It was mentioned that some services sent large numbers of EMT’s to recertify without sending evaluators.  After the letter was read, Kevin Williams addressed the comment about many EMT’s sent along with no evaluators.  He acknowledged that BFD does tend to send large numbers to testing but also reminded all present that BFD is a career service.

Treasurer’s Report:

     Merrill Lynch:  $3,259.24

     District: $7,905.37

     Class: $3,295.98

Arliene reviewed the budget figures.  Right now we do have monies available but she encouraged the District to think ahead about how we want to spend our money before we consider raising dues. Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report made by Howie, second by Sandy.  Motion passes. 

Medical Direction:

Peter stated he is still working on obtaining monies for voice, data recording equipment at hospital for downloading cardiac arrests from AED’s.

Peter and Debbie introduced the new State Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) protocol.  The new protocol covers patients in care of VNA, hospice, and nursing homes and out of state settings where a Discharge Plan from a hospital or healthcare facility is established.  With approved ‘yellow form’ posted at residence, facility, pre-hospital providers will not have to initiate resuscitation.  If ambulances transport patients with DNR/DNI orders who are not a code, let the ER know you have paperwork.  There is no deadline for implementation.  Squads are encouraged to get involved at local level with doctors and healthcare facilities in their service area.  Greg feels that this protocol needs to be worded clear and should define procedures.  Discussion continued about patients who fit Dead on Scene protocol.  Services should contact the Radio Room to advise what protocol patient fits under and why service not transporting.  Discussion concluded with district to wait for  modified protocol from Peter specific for District #3.

Debbie gave Peter paperwork about the Combitube.  It is coming but steps need to be taken to start program.  Services will have to request and sign onto the Combitube program.  Medical Direction also needs to think about how best to implement (i.e. train whole squads, certain individuals within each squad).  The Combitube is an EMT-I skill only and is a state administered course taught over 2 evenings (total of 6 hours).  Mike Richard from BFD wanted to let all know that these devices are not cheap ($45 each) and a one-time use only item. Greg asked about Intubation and the Combitube.  Those EMT’s who are Intubation certified will be grand fathered.  Greg then inquired about the status of the Intubation Pilot Project. Debbie stated that per Dan Manz the Intubation Pilot Program is closed and that is why he was able to send out this Combitube paperwork. Greg advised he talked to Mike O’Keefe who told him that if in fact the Intubation Pilot Project is closed, EMT’s couldn’t intubate since there were no longer guidelines for them to follow.  Peter will talk to Dan about this. 

The Intermediate curriculum is still being worked on at the State level.  Greg said he was told it was a “victim of 9/11” and put on the backburner due to other priorities at the EMS Office.

Fletcher Allen/MHCIC:

EMS Picnic tentatively scheduled for Sunday 5/26/2002

Direct Admits - ambulances are responsible for taking patients up to the floors.

Target date for new entrance to ED is 3/25/2002.  The new shorter tunnel to Room 4 is up but workers have not broken through wall.  For a time, ambulance crews and ambulatory walk-in patients will share entrance.

Gil passed around the plan for the new EMT room for the new ER.  The room will be where the current waiting area is.  If you have any thoughts, let Gilbert know.

Lee asked if someone is stuck with a potential HIV infected needle, does FAHC have “preemptive cocktail” available?  The answer is yes.  Patient will most likely be admitted to ER and meet with someone regarding paperwork.

Policies and Procedures:

Lee asked about the new DNR protocol and whether it is a State policy or will be modified to fit as District policy along the same lines as the IV protocol. 

Logistics:

Lee passed around updated response plans with changes - Colchester Rescue now 3rd into all of Winooski and Essex.

Dan brought up an issue regarding dispatch of backup ambulances to Route 116 in St. George.  Apparently Shelburne is saying they will dispatch whom they deem appropriate to respond.  Lee and Dan will meet to further discuss and look at maps.

MCI:

No report

Fire/Heavy Rescue:

Essex Fire Department will now be handling primary duties as Heavy Rescue for the Town of Essex.  Essex Junction Fire Department will be the backup.  Currently this is for Essex only - no changes to mutual aid plan yet.

E-911:

No report

Training:

Course updates:

[Per Jim Kellogg] The First Responder course at EJFD has started and is going fine.  It currently has 9 students and the course is a third of the way through.

Modules - finished Module 1 with 21 participants.  Chris McCarthy will start Module 2 next week.  Chris wanted to remind all present that people taking modules need support at squad level to follow up with training.  She is looking to schedule the next group of Modules.  Feedback has been positive but there has been some discussion about why offering the Modules - they were designed to allow people who cannot attend a traditional EMT class to further their skills. 

VTANG EMT-B class - finished course, went well - waiting on paperwork.

Winter courses - EMT-B course still has another 2 months, will be completed in early May.  Pat is going to propose a summer EMT-B course.  He will have paperwork next meeting. 

EMT-I course has only 15 students.  Students have started non-clinical IV attempts among other learned skills.  Support at squad level is encouraged.

Thank you to Peter Keibel for coordinating the February recertification.

Thank you to Kate Soons for doing refresher course.

Planning for October recertification dates - Greg asked if Tuesday, Thursday format worked?  BFD had problems since the same shift working both nights.  After some discussion, tentative dates set for October 17, 2002 (Thursday) and the following Tuesday October 22, 2002.  Greg asked Kevin Wood to confirm with Peter Keibel as he offered to coordinate the next recertification. 

Telehealth Conference scheduled for March 28, 2002.  Unsure what the topic is.

HAZMAT awareness class scheduled for March 30, 2002 at Essex Junction Fire Department.  Contact Jim Kellogg if interested in attending.  Course starts at 0800 until done.

EMS Conference scheduled April 3-7, 2002. 

Instructor Coordinator course ends this weekend. Becca Webb and Dave Roberts are in the course from District #3.

Lisa Whittemore has been approved as a First Responder course coordinator.

Case Review scheduled for March 19, 2002 at 1900 hours at Spear Street location.  Topic is Documentation.

Old Business:

Pediatric Initiative Grant - if have proposals, bring next meeting.

Nominating Committee is currently comprised of Dan Greaves, St. Michael’s Rescue and Brian Wellnitz, Essex Junction Fire Department and Williston Rescue.  Dan asked for letters of intent from any interested persons for the District officers to take office May 1, 2002.  Dan can be contacted at the following:  658-8518 (H), 654-2565 (Rescue)

            Email: dgreaves@smcvt.edu

            Address:  SMC Box 2086, Colchester, VT 05439

With the new meeting format, there may not be a need for a District Training Clerk.  Greg Thweatt made a motion to postpone election of Training Committee for one month until May so the District can decide if the new meeting format will remain.  Motion passes with one opposition.

Kevin Williams wanted to revisit the comments from Peter Keibel’s letter in regards to the recertification testing in February.  He was unaware that services were obligated to send people to serve as evaluators/patient models.  He did acknowledge that Burlington does send large numbers of EMT’s to the testing and that they do try to schedule the members to be off-duty, but the expenses for paying the members are significant.  He felt like the comment was a shot to BFD.  Kevin Wood spoke on behalf of Peter that the comment was in no way intended to be a shot at BFD.

New Business:

New web page address for District http://scsvt.org/vtemsd3

Pat Malone is willing to coordinate a potluck dinner for the next meeting night.  The district would provide beverages.  Members approved. 

FYI - Sean Collins wanted to let squads know that on July 27th, 2002, the Reggae Fest will be at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds (CVFG), June 15th, 2002 Trey Anastasia, lead singer of PHISH will also be at CVFG.  Rob Lunn is now the official EMS coordinator for the CVFG.

Motion to adjourn at 2010.

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Last updated: March 24, 2002