VTEMSD#3 Training Committee Minutes for 13 July, 2000

Chair Greg Thweatt called the meeting to order at 1834 hours. 19 people were in attendance representing 3 District posts and 15 out of 24 services. Those in attendance were:

Greg Thweatt EMT - I Coordinator, Training Committee Chair
Tara Pacy District Board Chair
Bill Clark District Board Vice Chair
Jim Laskarzewski Training Committee Clerk
Peter Keibel (R) Bolton Valley Ski Patrol
Kevin Williams (R) Burlington Fire Department
Rebecca Webb (R) Charlotte Rescue
Tara Pacy (R) Colchester Rescue
Hayes Mumma (R) Essex Rescue
Gilbert Helmken (R) FAHC E.D. Nursing
Debbie Baron (R) Grand Isle Rescue
Al Barber (A) Hinesburg Fire Department
Tanner Trombly (R) Malletts Bay Fire Department
Lee Jones (A) Richmond Rescue
Greg Thweatt (A) Shelburne Rescue
Maureen Leahy (A) So. Burlington Fire Department
Keara Cahill (R) St. Michael’s Rescue
Nathan Orgain (A) UVM Rescue
Bill Clark (R) Vergennes Rescue
Kevin Wood (R) Williston Rescue
Kate Soons (V) St. Michael’s Rescue
Paul Young (V) Williston Fire

Introductions:

Hayes Mumma introduced himself as the new training officer for Essex Rescue. He also distributed an announcement from Rob Lunn about the Fair, see Announcements.

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

Motion to accept minutes of June 8, 2000 meeting by Lee, second by Becca. Motion passed.

Announcements:

Next meeting will be held on Aug 10, 2000 at 1830 hours at St. Michael’s College.

FAHC Case Review: July 18, 2000, 1900 hrs, Cardiac

Drug of the Month: Unknown for July.

Grand Isle will be hosting old curriculum ECA recert testing on 22 July beginning at 9am. Contact Terri Welsh 372-4758 for more info.

Old Business:

First Responder/ECA Instruction – exam proctors, practical instructors list:

First Responder course just completed on Monday. Bill reports it was a good course and a bit challenging getting used to the curriculum. Students did well and appeared to like the course. Thanks to Kevin Williams, Becca and Chris McCarthy for their assistance. Lee found it tough to teach to the very basic level of the curriculum. Greg reminded all that Kevin Williams, Gill and Susan were approved as exam proctors at the last meeting and asked if any reps had their list of exam instructors to hand in. Kevin reports that when proctoring he saw a real enthusiasm from the students. 12 students started and finished the course – many more were expected. Greg seeks suggestions from Lee, Bill and Tara for next course. Bill suggests an orientation program for new instructors requiring them to apprentice for 50% of the lectures and practicals. Bill reports orientation meetings in other districts have not worked so well, new instructors end up without a real idea of how to conduct a course. This requirement will also assist in acquiring additional instructors for the current course. Bill intends to develop a resource packet for future instructors. Clarification from State on course content was needed a number of times. Lee also noticed some inconsistencies between State and National curriculums. Kevin queried instructor certification. Bill replied there is no need for FR course instructors to be State instructor certified. The District Policy in place covers certifications and may need to be modified to include orientation/apprentice teaching. Greg briefly reviewed the District policy and states he is in favor of apprentice teaching and sees the need to develop an instructor base in the District. Becca reports the apprentice experience was very good and that she likes the curriculum. Al suggests the low numbers in the class may have been due to the cloudy issue of the modules, some may have been scared off. The question on "if" the modules come out left people hanging, hesitant. Bill thought the issue was clear and reviewed how the modules work. Becca saw a big attitude change in the students going from "I ’m here to help my service but I really don’t want to deal with blood" to "Wow, I really want to do this stuff".
Greg reviewed three main issues: (1) How to propagate new instructors? Will apprenticeship work? (2) How to include new first responders within a service, levels of care are very different and may be difficult to track on a scene. (3) Modules – limited information is available from the State, we need to carefully consider how to implement a program that must be taught by IC’s.

Greg distributed an information sheet summarizing the skills and knowledge a new first responder should have and the job description as presented in the National Standard Curriculum. New first responders have a very different skill level than ECAs of old, those services running rookie-training programs can relate to the upcoming issues. Things will get even more complicated when modules are implemented. How will services track and identify the variety of skill levels that their members may soon possess?

Kevin Williams feels the apprentice program will work and that some form of instructor development is necessary. Instructor training should also include some methodology – how adults learn, basic training skills. Lee is sure there are model courses out there. Al reports a methodology course is being offered at the County Fire School this Fall. Greg asks if it would help to have written apprentice concept added to the course policy? Tara says it should be easy to do but may need to change over time. Bill is asked to draft an addendum to the policy concerning the apprentice program. Course policy shall be reviewed in one year to see how the program is working.

Practical Instructors List: Submit to Greg.

Refresher Course: Kate reports she has no formal proposal due to lack of interest expressed. Only 3 people contacted her. Is there a need? Were the dates a problem? The schedule a problem? She is willing to teach a course but needs students. Maureen suggests possible conflict with Air Show on original weekend. Greg suggests picking a date for the course, not waiting for a minimum number. This way we can advertise and contact other districts. Seem to have 7 students just from the squads present. Discussion turned to proposing dates. Motion to accept Refresher Course proposal by Lee, second by Bill. Course dates & times: Tues September 26th from 6-10 p.m.. Saturday & Sunday October 7th & 8th from 8-4:30 and Tuesday October 10th from 6-10 p.m. Minimum class size of 16, max of 24. $85.00 per person. Course to be held at UVM. Those completing course will be eligible for the refresher test in October. September 1st is the cut-off date to reach the minimum number . Contact Kate Soons (see phone and e-mail info in last months minutes). Motion passed.

New Business:

None

Greg distributed packets of Fall certification course information (basic and I class)

Meeting adjourned at 1930 hours.

Respectfully submitted,

Jim Laskarzewski, clerk