DISTRICT BOARD MINUTES August, 2001

DISTRICT # 3 BOARD MEETING MINUTES Thursday, August 9, 2001

Meeting called to order at 1941 hours by the Chair.

Motion to accept the minutes from July 12, 2001 made by Lee Jones and seconded by Adam Wilson. Motion accepted with one correction from Kevin Williams- In Policies and Procedures, note Engine 3 did not dispatch UVM Rescue, Burlington dispatch (Able) did. Correction noted. Motion to accept with correction approved.

In attendance were:

Mike Richard, Burlington Fire Department

Kevin Williams, Burlington Fire Department

Rebecca Webb, Charlotte Rescue

Scott Flieger, District Clerk, Colchester Rescue

Adam Wilson, Colchester Rescue

Sean Collins, Essex Rescue

Jim Kellogg, Essex Junction Fire Department

Brian Wellnitz, NVHRA/Essex Junction Fire Department

Gil Helmken, FAHC ED

Debbie Baron, District Chair, Grand Isle Rescue

Kathy Karg, Hinesburg Fire Department/First Response

Tanner Trombly, Malletts Bay Fire Department

Kirsten Jaquith, MHCIC

Lee Jones, Richmond Rescue/IBM Rescue

Greg Thweatt, District Training Chair, Shelburne Rescue

Jeff Curren, Shelburne Rescue

Maureen Leahy, South Burlington Fire Department

Shawna Lapierre, St. Michael’s Rescue

Kevin Wood, Williston Rescue

Guest:

Wendy James, MD, Essex Junction Fire Department

Introductions:

Wendy James, MD, Essex Junction Fire Department/First Response Medical Advisor

Correspondence:

None noted

Treasurer’s Report:

Merrill Lynch $ 3277.87

District $ 7510.29

Class $ 1966.90

Medical Direction:

Not Present

Fletcher Allen/MHCIC:

- Kirsten noted that things are continuously changing with the construction. Ambulances are entering where the canopy used to be and are backing into the bays as far as they can to unload their patients. The anteroom by the bays will be removed to provide increased visibility when coming around corner. Squads have been good about moving their ambulances after unloading their patients. Every morning, Leslie Mahoney meets with construction crews to discuss issues, concerns. If squads have anything they want addressed, let Kirsten, Gil or the ED charge nurses know. Lee asked about pulling rigs into the bays - not recommended because too many turns, too little space to turn around. Squads reminded to take stretcher out through the bays. Deb asked about leaving emergency lights on while on hospital grounds. Common sense tells you that keeping them on provides more visibility and also lets construction crews stop traffic to make way for you.

-Gil relayed request from Tara Pacy to make sure outer airlock doors are closed before entering ED to prevent dust, hot air from entering ED.

-Maureen Leahy asked that squads not back completely up to curb where designated parking spaces are as that prevents wheelchairs and the golf cart from being able to pass with patients.

-Gil also asked that squads not exchange soon-to-expire medications in ED.

-A question was asked about getting practice ampules of EPI. Kathy Karg and Jenna King did look into this matter without much success.

MCI:

Not present

Policies and Procedures:

-Last month a working draft of the backup policy was made to include the following changes: "The cancellation of any ambulance is at the discretion of the Primary response agency …" and "The Primary response agency responding to a suspected multi-casualty incident…" A motion was made by Maureen and seconded by Becca to accept the Backup policy with these changes. Motion passed. Discussion followed with Maureen stating this suits the objective that South Burlington Fire Department was trying to achieve. Kevin Williams had a question about the definition of "Primary Response Agency." With these changes, licensed First Response Agencies are recognized. The policy will be copied and distributed to squads.

Logistics:

No report

Heavy Rescue/Fire:

No report

E-911:

No report

Training:

-Possible dates for recertification testing in October (18th & 25th) - not confirmed

-Maureen raised concern about how the state is handling registration because last time the number of EMT’s recertifying was quite large (roughly 80 in one evening). Greg will talk to the State EMS office about limiting the number of EMT’s each night.

-Kate Soons is looking to propose a Refresher course. (Kate was not present to discuss this)

-Reminder to all training officers to find out which members are due to recertify in December.

Old Business:

Last meeting, Malletts Bay Fire Department/First Response made request to District Boards to support Peter Igneri’s request to challenge the EMT-B exam. Tanner Trombly stated that Peter has been with MBFD since 1995 and that his last certification expired in 1994. Deb then read a letter from Mike Cannon, Chief of Colchester Rescue with regards to this matter. After reading the letter, it was stated that precedence had been set with prior requests and to not follow along with this would "open up a can of worms." Tanner then read a letter from the State EMS office about submitting a waiver. Lee read from the EMS Rules that clearly state that if you do not hold valid certification and meet the minimum requirements as defined in Section 10.2, you must "meet all requirements of newly certified Vermont EMT-B’s" (which would mean taking an EMT-B course.)

A motion was then made by Karg and Lee Jones denying the support of the waiver to challenge the EMT-B exam. Further discussion ensued by the Chair about keep precedence and using the same standards for all. The motion was brought to a vote, which passed with one opposed. The Chair will draft a letter to the State with the findings of the Board.

New Business:

Richmond Rescue will be hiring a Full-time EMT-Intermediate. Ads will be in the local papers.

Motion to adjourn at 2025.

Respectfully submitted, Scott A. Flieger

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Last updated: September 16, 2001