VTEMSD#3 Training Committee Minutes – January 11, 2001

Greg Thweatt called the meeting to order at 6:35 pm, those in attendance were:

Introductions

Rebecca introduced Jason Marshall as the new alternate for Charlotte Rescue.

Review Agenda

Greg advised that two course proposals would be added to the agenda including a refresher course and a first responder course.

Approval of Minutes (November 9, 2000)

Kevin motioned to approve the minutes, Rebecca seconded.  Greg asked that the following amendment under “Announcements” during the discussion of EMT courses be added:

"Conversation related to services accepting more responsibility for the members that they sponsor for courses.  This includes working with members who may or may not have diagnosed learning disabilities (often the service does not know of these circumstances).  Greg and Pat wanted to make the point that often services send members who struggle in class and have little support outside of the course.  Services must accept additional responsibilities (outside of the course coordinators) if their members are to succeed.

Greg suggested  that services should have conversations with candidates prior to submitting applications to assure that they can afford the time to attend an EMT course.  This revolves around individuals who know about major life changes in their near future that will impact their ability to work towards becoming and EMT-B or EMT-I.  Each year a couple of students drop out because they thought they could handle the course despite knowing about a divorce,  job change, or family member illness.

Additionally, Greg advised that finding local agencies to support folks who may need additional help with reading skills, time management for study habits, and test taking skills are difficult to find locally (for the exception of someone working on their GED) and that he would be happy to hear from anyone who knows of such resources."

The minutes amended were accepted.

Announcement - includes any reports

Next Meeting: February 8, 2001   

Next case review: January 16, 2001 (Infectious disease).

Approved Courses:  Greg advised that the First Responder conducted in Vergennes finished as scheduled and per Bill Clark, 20 students completed the course.   Pat advised that both fall EMT-B and EMT-I courses finished in December with 4 practical failures for the EMT-B course (no results yet from National Registry on the written) with 1 practical failure for the EMT-I course and 3 written failures.  Greg advised that the spring EMT-B and EMT-I courses would begin on January 17th.  There will be no day EMT-B course.  Karen asked about a summer EMT-B course?  Pat advised that he would consider a course if there were sufficient interest, please contact Pat if there are interested service members.

Greg advised that the next recertification dates would be February 1st or 15th at UVM, Rowell Building, starting at 1830 (6:30 pm) hours.  Contact Pat with names of practical helpers who can arrive at 1830 hours also.

Tara advised that Colchester Rescue would host a session on completing EMT recertification paperwork on January 14th, 2001.  Mike O’Keefe will conduct the training at 1900 (7 pm) hours.

Gill asked services to have EMT-I’s use a saline lock on all IV’s started.

Old Business

First Responder/ECA Instruction

 Greg advised that Bill Clark is close to having a resource packet completed for new instructors.   Greg distributed a packet and notes from the recent Informational Meeting on First Responder/ECA instruction that was held on January 9 at UVM.  From the meeting, Greg advised that the following recommendations be made by VTEMSD#3:  1) that the district allow any state approved instructor coordinator to develop and deliver a First Responder module effective immediately; 2) that modules meet the needs of participants who can not attend a traditional EMT-B course and not modules should not be delivered over a short period of time (at least a 1 to 2 year period); 3) that all module proposals follow the VTEMSD#3 Policy on District Sponsored Courses; 4) that all modules use the same text as that used in the traditional EMT-B course.  Mo motioned to accept the recommendations, Rebecca seconded.  The motioned was approved.  Pat distributed a tentative schedule for all six modules and refresher courses over the rest of the year into May of 2002.  He will provide a formal proposal next month, in the interim, he would like services to provide feedback on days of the week and times to conduct the modules.  Kevin asked how services would manage the fact that there will be many different First Responder levels of practice?  Greg tabled this discussion for the next meeting.

Greg advised that the following personnel have completed an apprenticeship and checklist to become a VTEMSD#3 approved First Responder course instructor:  Christi Champagne (signed off by Chris McCarthy), Brian Wellnitz (signed off by Chris McCarthy), and Christina Brace (signed off by Bill Clark).   Chris motioned to accept the three as approved instructors, Rebecca seconded.  Motion approved.

 New Business

 New Instructor Coordinator:

Greg explained that the next Vermont Instructor Coordinators course will begin this month starting on January 27th.  The state has secured one slot for VTEMSD#3 and the district must pay $450 to sponsor a candidate.  Greg suggested that Chris McCarthy be the one participant sponsored by the district.  Mo motioned to sponsor Chris McCarthy, Rebecca seconded. 

Peter asked if Chris could attend if the district approved of her? Greg advised yes.  Greg suggested that the district should focus on individuals who have provided support at the district level and offer future services at the EMT level (modules, refresher, and initial EMT courses) as well as provide support to First Responder instructors.  Additionally, he advised that this course is not intended to develop training officers and should be considered a way to develop district resources.   According to Greg, Chris is willing to become involved in the instruction of modules and refresher courses.  The motion was approved to sponsor and pay for Chris McCarthy.

Tara asked Pat if there might be additional slots in the course?  Pat explained that there might be, dependent upon if other districts send candidates.  Tara asked who else might be considered as a candidate.  Pat explained that he spoke with Rebecca Webb, however, due to her schedule she declined.  He advised that Jaina Clough could be considered for the alternate slot. Jaina has been a practical instructor and wishes to increase her involvement with EMT training.  Greg suggested tabling this action for the district board to discuss due to time and the question of adequate funds.

The cost would be $450 per person with one guaranteed slot for the district.  The dates are Jan 27 & 28, Feb 10 & 11, and Mar 3 and 4.

Refresher Course Proposal:

 Mo motioned to accept a refresher course coordinated by Kate Soons, Rebecca seconded.  Kate explained that the course would be conducted on the following dates:  February 5th (1800 – 2200 hours), February 9th (0800 – 1630 hours), February 10th (0800 – 1630 hours) and February 11 (1800 – 2200 hours).  Cost is $95.  Contact Kate at 893-8145 (katesoons@adelphia.net) or Pat Malone (656-3489 (pmalone@zoo.uvm.edu) for questions or to register.  The course would need at least 12 participants and will be capped at 18.  The motion was approved.

First Responder Course:

  Kevin motioned to accept a First Responder Course to be conducted at the Malletts Bay Fire Department, Mo seconded.  Rebecca advised that Christi Champagne would be the course coordinator and that the course would begin on February 15th (CPR starts on February 6th) and end on April 14th.  The course would be conducted on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays.  A letter of intent, a budget, and a course outline were provided to the committee.  Pat noticed that Christi wanted to distribute copies of the State-wide protocols to students, he explained that the state does not recommend this for the EMT-B course and that this should carry over for the First Responder course.  Greg advised that Christi fulfilled all district requirements except for naming an IC as an advisor for the course.  Greg suggested that the committee accept the proposal contingent upon Christi securing an IC before the start of the course and contact Greg with the name.   The motion was approved.

Community AED: 

 Karen asked if the district would discuss this issue?  Greg advised that the issue should be tabled for the next meeting due to time.  He hopes to have an ad hoc committee developed to address how services might develop a way to address this from the perspective of public education.  Mo, Deb, and Rebecca asked to be considered for working on this committee.

 Chris motioned to adjourn at 1935 hours, Rebecca seconded.  Motion approved.

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Last updated: January 16, 2001