The March 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.

Jan Victorson announced that Glidden and Washburn had contacted her because they were unable to attend due to family plans related to Maundy Thursday.

Motion made by Del Jerome, seconded by Dan Diamon, to approve the minutes of the February meeting as corrected. Motion carried.

Motion made by Teresa Gunderson, seconded by Mary Ross, to dispense with the Treasurer’s Report as Chuck Elton had a conflict with the meeting time. Motion carried.

MDAC (Medical Director Advisory Committee) – John Schulz, medical director, introduced an Intercept Recommendation for review. Discussion.

Motion made by John Schulz, seconded by Mary Ross, to forward the intercept recommendation to each service for their adoption. Motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS – A reminder to use ALS 400 whenever possible during intercept situations. This will prevent “locking up” the entire county radio system with sometimes lengthy patient reports. When one ambulance is “hailing” another, contact may be made on the repeater with a “I’ll meet you on ALS 400” directing both to use that frequency.

The only essential information needed during an intercept it the patient’s age, chief complaint, vital signs and location.

ALS 400 is also used for landing zone coordination for medical helicopters. Discussion about other frequency choices that might be available. MARC 2 is designated as a frequency for communicating with medical helicopters by the state EMS Communications Plan. At the time the plan was written this area of the state’s use of ALS 400 was noted and therefore listed as a possible frequency as well.

Consensus to use ALS 400 for both ALS helicopter and ALS ground intercepts and evaluate after three months.

Additional response and communications issues were reviewed as follows:

1 – When paged to go to a specific location (Incident Command Post, Staging Area, etc.) please go to that location event if you have to pass by the event. This will help with accountability. Your first job is to report to the requested location.

2 – When paged to a large event (wildland fire, for instance) sign on the radio and then stay off the radio. Keep the airwaves open for additional paging and essential communications.

3 – When you arrive at the designated location, walk in and report. Talk face to face when possible rather than using the radio.

4 – When you are assigned a task, turn your radio to the assigned channel and shut the scan off. This is the only way to assure you will hear the communications you are required to hear.

5 – Stay off the dispatch channels. This ties up the entire system and no paging is allowed for other departments.

Merrilee Carlson informed the membership that MMC no longer has the call sign of KVT 923 due to a licensing update. The call sign is now WQBJ 709. She encouraged ambulance providers to call for MMC.

RTAC – Dan Diamon reported that he has been working with several agencies on verifying and/or obtaining their First Responder agency certification. He also noted that training will be beginning on the Wisconsin EMS Emergency Preparedness Plan (WEEPP), START (Simple Triage and Rapid Transport) and JumpSTART (for pediatrics). A train the trainer program will be conducted with the goal of training 1/3 of the services (at least 80% of membership) in each of the next three years. The training is estimated to take about 2 to 2 ½ hours. Each service that completes the training will receive a $1,400 grant that is intended to assist them in expanding their capability to respond to multiple casualty incidents.

Discussion about BAC-EMS Council providing the pilot services.

MMC is moving toward their Level III designation. They have developed an team of staff people who are reviewing trauma guidelines and compiling an in house trauma plan.

WITC EMS SPECIALIST – Cindy Lazorik reported on upcoming classes. She encouraged services to contact the school and/or individual students contact student services at WITC if interested in upcoming classes.

She reminded services that background checks are up to each service. Discussion about development of regional service guidelines related to background checks and basis on which to accept or reject an applicant.

Ride-along/patient contacts are currently only being done with Ashland Fire at a cost of $50 per student. A preceptor form must be filled out. Gold Cross has not returned forms, etc. so is not considered a viable sight.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT – Jan Victorson reported that all jurisdictions were notified of the NIMS (National Incident Management System) requirements. The independent study course available at www.training.fema.gov was discussed with only a few people having completed the course so far. She also reported on a communications interoperability grant that was received by ten northern counties including Ashland and Bayfield counties. Each communications site in each county is currently be assessed for age of equipment, condition of the site, and accuracy of license information.

WEBMASTER PLANNING – Gene Miller presented information related to webmaster planning for the Council. Development of a functional site/set-up fee looks to be about $250 for the Council. The ongoing costs for the Council would be $50 per month. Ashland, Barnes, Iron River, Mason, South Shore and Washburn have an interest. Discussion.

Motion made by Teresa Gunderson seconded by Tim Ciembronowicz, to support the establishment of an EMS Council domain/website at a cost of $50 per month as proposed by Gene Miller. Motion carried.

Be SOMEBODY – The Be SOMEBODY 24 hours/seven minute standby event is scheduled for May 20^th thru May 21^st. This happens to be the Friday and Saturday of EMS Week. We will confirm who needs “HELP WANTED” and “Be SOMEBODY” signs at the next meeting.

EMS WEEK – May 16^th – 21^st.

Diane Klump is looking for articles and information from each service. She wants to use the information in ongoing education efforts related to prehospital EMS.

ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANTS – Discussion that ambulance services can apply for the Assistance to Firefighters Grants this year. A “DUNS” number will be required to file a grant. Grants are due April 8^th.

BACK RAFT – Tim Ciembronowicz demonstrated use of the “back raft” to secure spinal stability.

NEXT MEETING – The next Council meeting is scheduled for April 28, 2005, 7:30 PM at MMC.

Motion made by Dan Diamon, seconded by John Schulz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

IN ATTENDANCE

Merrilee Carlson MMC EMS Coordinator

Tim Ciembronowicz Ashland

Dan Diamon Gold Cross

Del Jerome Barnes

Teresa Gunderson Mason

Cindy Lazorik WITC/South Shore

Gene Miller Barnes

Carol Pufall Town of Eileen

Mary Ross Madeline Island

John Schulz Medical Director

Gary Victorson Iron River

Jan Victorson Bayfield County EM