VTEMSD#3 Training Committee Minutes – February 14, 2002

Chair, Greg Thweatt, called the meeting to order at 1830 hours.  Those in attendance were:

• Kevin Williams (R), Burlington Fire Department

• Jason Marshall (A), Charlotte Rescue

• Adam Wilson (R), Colchester Rescue

• Scott Flieger (R) Colchester Rescue

• Jim Kellogg (R), Essex Jct. Fire

• Stacy Dudley (R), Essex Rescue

• Gil Helmken (R), FAHC – ED

• Kirsten Jacquith (A), FACC - ED

• Debbie Barron (R), Grand Isle Rescue

• Chris Putnam (R), Hinesburg Fire Department

• Al Barber (A), Hinesburg Fire Department

• Peter Weimersheimer, MD, Medical Direction

• John Poulin (R), Shelburne Rescue

• Shawna Lapierre (R), SMC Rescue

• Maureen Leahy (R), South Burlington Fire Department

• Jim Laskarzewski, Training Committee Clerk, SMC Rescue (A)

• Will Chadwick (R), UVM Rescue

• Allison Rimmer, Vergennes Rescue

• Kevin Wood (A), Williston Rescue

Introductions - none

Review Agenda – the chair entertained additions to the agenda, none were requested.

Approval of Minutes from January 10^th Deb motioned to accept as printed, Scott seconded, motion approved.

Announcement - includes any reports

• Next Meeting: March 14 at SMC in the Hall of Fame room.  Future meetings at SMC as follows: Hall of Fame Room (April, June, and July).  Vermont Room at Alliot Hall (May and August).

• Approved Courses: EMT courses, FR to EMT-B modules, First Responder Course conducted at Essex Jct. Fire Department

• Recertification: Feb 12th or Feb 21st, 6 pm at UVM, Rowell Building.   Greg thanked Peter Kiebel for his coordination of the recertification dates.

• Telehealth Trauma Lecture: Feb 28^th on EMS Implications of Organ Donation with Jon Fenimore.

• Emergency Response to Terrorism Tactical Operations for EMS, 2/16 and 2/17 from 8 to 1600 hours @ Essex Rescue.  Contact Brian Longe (blonge@essexrescue.org) for more information.

• VT EMS Conference, April 6 & 7, pre-con workshops April 3 - 5 

• The PHTLS course was postponed to March 16 and 17.

• Charlotte hosting a retest of First Responders on February 28^th.  Contact Becca Webb.

Old Business

• Combitube:

Greg advised that at a recent meeting with Dr. Uphold and Dr. Weimershimer both physicians agreed to move forward on the use of combitubes.  Kevin raised a concern regarding the cost of combitubes vs. ETI.  Peter advised that existing EMT’s trained in ETI will be able to continue the use of the device, however, the combitube will be the airway that will be taught in future courses once allowed by the state.  Kevin asked if the cost of the device was a consideration of this decision?  Peter advised the focus was on the ease of use and the data that shows that ETI has not shown a significant reason for reasons of use.  Peter offered to pursue a discussion with FAHC regarding funding issues that may help with combitubes.

New Business

• Paperwork for Cardiac Arrest Training

Allison asked what should be done after a code regarding paperwork?  Greg suggested that she contact the training officer who preceded her to review the approved plan for her service.  Greg advised that at the recent meeting with Dr. Uphold and Peter the question was raised regarding should services still be required to have AED’s that utilize a paper strip and data card option as FAHC-ED does not have a computer available for data downloading?  Peter saw the issue as finding a solution to allow for data downloading vs. not having this requirement for service’s AED’s.  Alison had asked how long services should keep cardiac arrest paperwork?  Greg had contacted the State EMS office who suggested that paperwork should be kept for at least 7 years, however, they would strongly encourage keeping paperwork indefinitely. 

On a related issue, Greg posed the issue of how services should address DNR’s at the scene.  Peter agreed that providers need not begin treatment of patients in cardiac arrest who have a DNR at a elder care center or hospice – they only need to confirm with the ED of the situation.  For patient’s not in these settings in cardiac arrest and DNR’s, providers should start care as trained and contact the ED for further direction.  Of importance is to train providers of these circumstances along with elder care centers.  John asked to confirm what should be said when a provider calls the radio room under the above circumstances?  Kirsten advised to state that a DNR is in place and the need to talk to an attending physician regarding the situation, she also suggested that the DNR be in hand when calling.

• Should VTEMSD#3 continue having a training committee?

At the last District Board meeting the suggestion was made to combine the training committee with the district board meeting.  Greg asked if the committee should entertain this suggestion?  Becca sees the training committee as an opportunity to go off and work on specific issues.  The committee agreed that regardless of the decision, a training coordinator should be kept.  If this were to occur, combining the committees, a change of by-laws would be required.  Maureen motioned to recommend to the district board a 2-month trial of combining the meetings, Chris seconded.  Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned at 1930 hours.

Respectfully submitted by Greg Thweatt

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gthweatt@shelburne.k12.vt.us
Last updated: March 24, 2002