The February meeting of the Bayfield-Ashland Counties EMS Council was called to order by Gary Victorson, Vice-President of the Council. The meeting was held in the Board Room of MMC/Ashland.

Motion made by Del Jerome, seconded by Dan Diamon, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve the minutes of the January meeting as written. Motion carried.

TREASURER REPORT – Chuck Elton reported a balance of $1028.77 in the treasury. Invoices have been sent out for 2005 dues; several departments have paid. Our annual insurance payment is due and we have received a donation from the Fat Tire Festival.

Motion made by Tam Hofman, seconded by Del Jerome, to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Tam Hofman, seconded by Bill Andresen, to pay the insurance premium of $1193. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

MDAC (Medical Director Advisory Committee) – John Schulz, medical director, reported that the MDAC is working on a new format for protocols that is in a flow chart format.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR REPORT – Dr. Schulz reported that MMC has developed a multi-disciplinary team to meet the requirements to declare themselves a Level III Trauma Center. Each hospital in the state is being asked to declare before July, 2005. MMC will be developing a major trauma criteria defining what MMC can handle.

Dr. Schulz also reported that he had met with medical records related to QA information and HIPAA. EMTs are urged to (1) make telephone contact after the fact with the ER staff and ask for pertinent information (acknowledging that sometimes ER staff will not have the time to respond immediately) or (2) email or call Merrilee Carlson requesting information using patient’s initials and date/time. Further discussion on means to get the right information back to the services including sending follow-up information to ambulance service on patients (similar to what the helicopter services have been doing). Question: Does the helicopter crew receive a copy of the run sheet?

RTAC – Dan Diamon has been appointed the Coordinator for the Lake Superior Regional Trauma Advisory County (RTAC). He is currently working with medical first responders to file appropriate paperwork with the EMS Section for registration/certification.

Dan reported that the four hospitals in our region are declaring levels of trauma response – Hayward is declaring at a Level IV; Spooner is declaring at a Level IV; Superior is not designating (due to proximity to Level II trauma centers in Duluth); and MMC is declaring as a Level III.

Dan also reported that the Wisconsin EMS Emergency Preparedness Plan (WEEPP) was adopted by the EMS Board. Train the trainer courses will be scheduled throughout the region in order to make the training easily accessible to all services. When a service gets 80% of their personnel trained they will receive a “grant” to be used to increase multi-casualty response capabilities.

INTERCEPT GUIDELINES – Discussion on ambulance intercept guidelines. Dr. Schulz will make the suggested changes and email to service directors for additional input.

24/7 COVERAGE – Dr. Schulz reported that there have been several creative ideas discussed in different jurisdictions including training town employees as EMTs, incentive pay for those willing to take the training and be on call, increase on call pay, town boards request employers allow folks to be trained. He continues to encourage good communications with the neighboring services and good communications with dispatch in order to continue the commitment to our communities to not lose critical minutes seeking a response.

Be SOMEBODY – Tabled until next meeting.

NIMS – Jan Victorson distributed copies of documents being sent to chief elected officials related to the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Discussion about need to take the IS700: Introduction to NIMS that is available on the internet – www.training.fema.gov – and takes about one hour to complete.

AFG – Dan Clark asked if services would be interested in writing a regional grant through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program for purchase of a routing program and Mobile Data Computers in a couple of vehicles for each service. Discussion. No consensus.

WEBMASTER PLANNING – Gene Miller presented information related to webmaster planning for the Council. Development of a functional site would cost about $200 per department. The ongoing costs would be $50 per month for the Council. Barnes, South Shore and Washburn have an interest.

EMS WEEK – May 16^th – 21^st.

NEXT MEETING – The next Council meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2005, 7:00 PM at MMC.

Motion made by Tam Hofman, seconded by Dan Diamon, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

Several people met with Gene Miller to view some of the website possibilities after the meeting.

IN ATTENDANCE

Bill Andresen Bayfield

Ron Brendalen Mellen

Merrilee Carlson MMC EMS Coordinator

Dan Clark Washburn

Dan Diamon Gold Cross

Chuck Elton Washburn

Candy Hankins Great Divide

John Harding Glidden

Tam Hofman South Shore

Ed Hofstrand SMDC Lifeflight

Del Jerome Barnes

Jim Marsh Washburn

Gene Miller Barnes

Rob Puhls Great Divide

Mary Ross Madeline Island

John Schulz Medical Director

Dorothy Tank Ashland County EM

Gary Victorson Iron River and Mason

Jan Victorson Bayfield County EM