Sep 9, 1999

 The meeting was called to order at 1830 hours by Chair Greg Thweatt.  15 out of 22 services were represented.  Those in attendance were:

 Pat Malone                               EMT - B Coordinator

Greg Thweatt                            EMT - I Coordinator,  Training                                                         Committee Chair

Dr. Wayne Misselbeck               Medical Direction

Dr. Peter Weimersheimer           Medical Direction

Tara Pacy                                 District Board Chair

Jake Allegrini                             District Board Vice Chair

Ray Walker (R)                         Charlotte Rescue

Lolita Page (R)                          Colchester Rescue

Kathy Mumma (R)                    Essex Rescue

Gilbert Helmken (R)                  FAHC E.D. Nursing

Debbie Baron (R)                      Grand Isle Rescue

Mary Griswold (R)                    Iroquois First Response

Katrina Sinkewicz (R)                Lamoille Ambulance/FACT

Larry Bohen (A)                        Lamoille Ambulance/FACT

Howie Rice (R)                         Malletts Bay Fire Department

Rod Moore (R)                          Milton Rescue

Ted Conant (R)                         Richmond Rescue

Jeff Curren (R)                          Shelburne Rescue

Jim Laskarzewski (A)                 St. Michael’s Rescue

Jake Allegrini (A)                       UVM Rescue

Bill Clark (R)                             Vergennes Rescue

Steve Fleming (A)                      Vergennes Rescue

Jim Laskarzewski (R)                 VT Air Guard Fire Dept, Clerk

                                               

Introductions:  

·        Wayne introduced Dr Peter Weimersheimer, he will be filling in for Dr. Hulsey for a while.

·        Jeff Curren introduced himself as the new rep for Shelburne rescue.

Review Agenda: The chair briefly reviewed the agenda for the meeting.

Approval of Minutes

            Motion to accept minutes of Aug 12, 1999 meeting by Ray, second by Kathy.  Motion passed.   Greg proposes having the minutes sent to the listserver and the web page and having people access them from there.

Announcements:

·        Next meeting will be held on Oct 14, 1999 at 1830 hours at St. Michael’s College.

·        Rural Initiative offerings:  PHTLS Instructor course, 9-25-99 at UVM;  Current concepts in EMS for Children Videoconference, 10-1-99, Austin Auditorium, FAHC (Austin Aud. is located on the fourth floor of Baird, just before Shepardson);  PHTLS Provider Course, 11-13-99 and 11-14-99, basic or advance EMT’s.

·        Latex allergies training sponsored by Colchester rescue on 9-21-99, 1830-1930 hrs.

Old Business:

·        Ad hoc committee to coordinate district training calendars (Bill Clark, Laurie, Ted, Peter)  Bill would like to advertise trainings on district web page.  Would also like to offer special trainings every so often around the district; pool resources, have guest speakers, expand communications using the web and by posting things in the EMT room at FAHC.  Send stuff to Bill at:  Bill@earthfriendlybaby.com   Box 152, Ferrisburg, VT 05456 or use the Vergennes mailbox in the EMT room.

·        Policy on course requirements for district approved certification or refresher courses: (Greg)  Feedback received from Pat Malone, mostly corrections of verbiage to clarify intent.  Policy is an attempt to improve the level of instruction in the district.  It is expected to impact services the most in regards to first responder courses and refresher courses.  Deb expressed concern about finding practical instructors who will travel to Grand Isle.  Ted is concerned with the requirement for an approved state instructor coordinator (IC) – do we have enough in the district?  Greg commented on the number of resources in the district and thinks the new policy will serve to strengthen the district.  Currently there are ten IC’s in the district.  Ted echoed Debbie’s concerns and added concerns about training with squads from other districts.  Wayne wants to hear from Ted later about his concerns with inter-district trainings.  Wayne feels that the statewide protocols should allow districts to work together without problems.  Greg would like to vote on this policy in October and will be putting a copy on the web page.  Debbie asked about the need for half of the practical instructors to be from district #3.  Wayne replied he would feel uncomfortable if a majority of instructors were from outside the district, were people we don’t know, or are those who don’t know the policies and procedures particular to our district.

·        Howie asked about the status of the First Responder course.  The last report from Dan Manz has the course coming on-line at the end of 1999.  Tara expects a realistic start date sometime next year, she will check on status for next month.  Wayne feels that the modules and implementation of them is holding up the process.  State will also need to train instructors.  Greg encourages people to contact the State office if so inclined.

·        MCI Training update:  Randy Eppley of the Air Guard fire department sent in a report from the recent table top and some notes about the upcoming field exercise.  Table top went well overall, very few EMS people showed up.  Field exercise is on Oct 2nd, park in employee lot.

·        District #7 may have an exercise next summer.

·        Wendy Strubel is working with a national trainer for Amtrak on a possible train disaster scenario to be held next spring -–maybe at the EMS conference.

New Business:

·        EMT students with learning difficulties:  Greg reviewed the discussion from many months ago, added that there are workshops, for a fee, that will provide training for those with learning difficulties.  Greg asks if there are other ways or resources to assist students, reduce their fears, and help them to succeed?  Is this something we can do?  Ted offered that people who have a hard time taking tests have always had a hard time with them.  Bill suggests a workshop on taking multiple choice tests.  Jake suggests exploring options at UVM’s Living/Learning center.  Pat added info about UVM’s special student services but noted that EMT class students would need to be matriculating students to use this resource.  He added it would be worthwhile for anyone who has a learning difficulty to pay tuition to use the service.  Jake suggests the district try to set up something with them.  Pat added that many employers have Employee Assistance Programs that may be of assistance.  Deb added that older students may need assistance as well and that they are a different type of learner.  Gil offered that many publishing companies often have tapes and CD’s that can be used by learners.  Pat added that the current EMT book comes with a companion CD.  Gil suggests that the squad is often the best resource for learners, a lot of squad effort is needed.  Pat agreed that this is not just an instructor issue, it does impact the whole squad.  The problem may be exaggerated since the ECA course is no longer a stepping stone, ECA may have caused some to drop out earlier.  Greg wrapped up by saying that support at the service level is very important to a student’s success in the EMT course.  He added that we might be able to tap into some grant money for assistance.  He is interested in hearing of any other thoughts or resources on this topic.

 

Motion to adjourn by Ray, second by Kathy.  Meeting adjourned at 1929 hours.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jim Laskarzewski, clerk

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 Last updated: October 12, 1999