District #3 Board Meeting May 8, 2003

Meeting called to order 1835

In attendance:

Introductions: Charles Cole, coordinator for Essex Jct. FD First Response

Correspondence: none

Approval of the minutes from 4/03: motion Jess G. / Jason Z.

Correction from Kirstin J.- Discussion about pt. reports from last month and HIPAA regulations should read that the radio room strongly encourages the use of the phone unless a landline is not available.  Radio reports are accepted as a last resort.

Treasurers report: Chris McCarthy

Current balance: 19432.34  (Classes 8383.74, Dues 3095.79, Equipment 7852.81)

Bills for dues will be sent out for payment in June.

Donation for services- Jason Z. proposed a $30 donation for the towing of the car used in the public relations commercial as a thank you for services.  Motion Jess/Deb.  Approved.  Jason will also send a letter with tax deduction information.

EMS week video- Jason Z. submitted bill for the public relations video.  Approved last month not to exceed $150.  Final cost $128.

Medical Advisor’s report: Peter W. :

Central Dispatching- Peter would like to form a committee to discuss central dispatching (discussed a few mos. ago).  If interested please contact him at peter.wolf@vtmednet.org

Spinal Immobilization- The hospital review board is looking at the Spinal Imob. Policy.  At this time D#3 is separating from D#6 due to differing goals.  After it is approved by review board there will be a train the trainer session and then these trainers can take the training to services.

DNR policy/forms is in process of being printed should be in service end of 5/03.

Paramedicine- Next month Tara Pacy, Ruth Uphold, and Peter would like to be on the agenda to discuss the state of paramedicine in our district.

Zoll- if looking at purchasing new ones Peter recommends the biphasic over monophasic technology.

Reviewing Codes- there is a committee looking at formalizing a system to begin reviewing codes again.

FAHC-MCHIC- Kirstin J.:

Construction- East Avenue construction is beginning 5/13 to implement traffic slowing methods.  Among the changes will be speed bumps.  Also adding stop signs at the intersection with Centennial Field.  This could take 2wks to a month for completion.  Please use Mary Fletcher Drive whenever possible.  The hospital is working to keep it clear for ambulance traffic.

FAHC-ER: Gil H.:

SARS- Gil described N95 masks used to decrease the spread of SARS.  This is a service by service decision to use or not.  If used EVERYONE on the service needs training and to be individually fitted.  If your service is interested in looking at them please contact Gil in the ER when you are there.  There have been no confirmed cases in the state of VT.  Confusion with guidelines and identifying as World Health Organization and CDC are using two sets of qualifiers.  The VT Dept. Of Health is using both.  History of present illness becomes even more important in these cases for us to ask as pre-hosp. Providers. 

Equipment: Housekeeping was approached about returning materials to the bay dirty.  Please be patient.  Chaotic EMS days = Chaotic housekeeping days.  Quick feedback and identification of the problem is the key so that it can be addressed with staff currently on.

MCI-Becca W.: no report

Logistics- Lee J. : Working to follow-up on designing a tracking data sheet for individual services.  This was a suggestion from the Licensing Committee.

Policies and procedures- Lee J. : none

Training- Jason Z.:

Training calendar- other districts have them and are successful.  This would be a great way to share the exciting speakers that come to speak at local services.  Is the board interested in investigating further? Greg Thweatt is willing to be the “auditor” and input the events onto the webpage.  We should look at purchasing a program to support this infrastructure.  Lee raised the question of letting people know when the event is cancelled.  Possible solutions from other members included sending cancellations over EMSIssues and EMStrain as well as RSVPs requiring preferred numbers to notify.

Testing 5/7- testing went well.  Good turnout of evaluators and patients.

MW EMT-B 29 students/all passed, Tues. EMT-B 21 students/1 station failure,    Mod.6 EMT-B 5 students/2 failures (joint station),                EMT-I 25 students/2 station failures --- 11 failures of written

EMT-I new curriculum there will be an IC update course in either June or July of ’03.  There will also be 2 transition courses coming soon.  The probably format is evenings and Saturdays about 36-40 hours of time for the transition course. 

Upcoming courses:

I-initial beginning 9/03 to test 5/04 one evening a week.  This would probably be the only time it lasted 2 semesters, but the Instructors wanted time to learn and play with the schedule. 

Fall Basic course in 3 formats: Tuesday evening (IC=Chris M.) 9/03-5/04, Tues/Thurs day (IC=Pat M.) UVM semester fall, Weds.? Evening/ Sat. days on individual lab group schedule. (IC=Pat M.) UVM semester fall

Recert courses- Spring and Fall

Entrance to I class- Discussion  about setting a minimum level of criteria for entering the I class i.e.: minimum grade.  Lee asked if field time should be a requirement as well as service training.  Pat M. said that that was part of the conversation.  Doug warned that we need look at actions which could be discriminatory.  Jason Z. stated that we need to work with med. Advisors about the change in curriculum and the state rules letting I classes under the old curriculum continue to be taught.  What does this do to our med. Advisor being responsible for the I techs who may have taken in another district?

Old Business:

EMS Day- Jason Z.-How many agencies are interested in participating?  

Some of the events: Ambulances can be inside, Can set up booths with brochures, information in joining, and pr materials, CPR class- need more instructors, Red Cross Blood drive. He needs a commitment by Monday (5/12) by interested services.

EMS video:  done and shown at the meeting

Care of large patients: Bill M. passed out an article on moving large patients as a follow-up to earlier discussion.

HIPPA: Megan C. asked for a clarification of HIPPA regulations and how they affect services.  Gil- If a service bills each agency involved needs own release.  Also if you transmit information electronically.  Frequent patients only need one release signed Jason M. The EMS office has software to borrow that was created by the lawyers.  Software can not be copied, but can be pre-viewed and information For purchasing.  Doug- all old records need to be locked, computers with inf. On them must be locked, if using comp. For internet as well must install a HIPPA compatible firewall. 

New Business:

Air Packs: Charles C.  if agencies are interested in buying air packs let him know he has a lead on a discount with purchase of multiple units.

MCI bags?: Bill- Were they provided by the district.  New trucks in service.  Lee/Pat – it was a combined district and state effort about 9 years ago.  Chris P.- vests can be gotten from the state if they still have some.  He got about a month ago.

New on website: Doug-There is a group of services purchasing Zolls together for reduced cost.  Can contact Doug or access website for information.  Lee- AHA also has new AED grants available.

Dept. of Justice Grants: Doug- Federal monies to states to first responders.  These are time sensitive and pre-planning for applications is imperative.  Follow grant application carefully with selection of equipment to be asked for and for formatting.

Phones: Doug -Newer phones will not transmit data.  With the technology coming services might want to think about holding onto old phones for future use.

Meeting adjourned 1942

Respectfully submitted R. Webb

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