The January meeting of the Bayfield-Ashland Counties EMS Council was called to order by Dean Hambrecht, President of the Council. The meeting was held in the Emergency Services Training Room in Mason.

Motion made by Gary Victorson, seconded by Tam Hofman, to approve the minutes of the November-Decemberr meeting as presented. Motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Chuck Elton reported that there is a balance of $377.29 at present. The medical Director has been paid for 4^th quarter. Invoices for dues have been mailed out.

Motion made by Tam Hofman, seconded by Stuart Matthias, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Motion carried.

MDAC – The Medical Director Advisory Committee met earlier this evening. The major issue on their agenda was Dr. Thornton’s resignation as medical director. Decisions need to be made by the Council as to how to proceed.

MDAC will be held before the Council meetings when the committee meets.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT – Jan Victorson reported on the progress to the Bayfield County enhanced 9-1-1 system. Discussion related to the call set-up time of seven to ten seconds before a ring will be heard after dialing 9-1-1. This is a landline system. Cellular phones will have no information when 9-1-1 is dialed and may not even reach the appropriate county.

Exercise planning may be a focus of the LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) in 2004. Discussion about possible scenarios.

The Communications User Advisory Board is scheduled to meet next week. Discussion. Suggestion that EMTs or First Responders be allowed to use initials or last names when calling Dispatch. Jan will forward to the committee for discussion.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR – Kevin Thornton reported that he has taken a position with St. Luke’s in Duluth and has resigned as the Council Medical Director. He has talked with numerous physicians in the area with a current recommendation of John Schulz. He is a former medical officer with NASA, ATLS instructor, member of the National Ski Patrol, previously an EMT, and has good interpersonal skills. Dr. Klee and Dr. Capps are two other possible candidates. The Council will need to decide whether or not to advertise. He would currently recommend the same medical director for Ashland Fire and the Basics if at all possible as it ties the system together. The negative of that is that there is less time for both components of the system.

Discussion as to what the membership would like to see in a medical director included:

First responders: training FR to possible new skills to be included with HFS 113 – combitube insertion, epinephrine administration, spinal immobilization, etc.

IV Tech upgrades
Other service upgrade in level of service
State trauma system efforts
Active in Lake Superior Regional Trauma Advisory Committee
Availability to attend meetings – attempt to be with each service annually?
Rotation of recerts
Coordination of services – continuity of medical treatment service to service
Advocate with the state - Attend state medical director meeting and have input on issues that impact our area

Motion made by Gary Victorson, seconded by Peg Kman, that the Executive Committee contact possible candidates with letter and position description, establish dialogue, interview interested candidates and bring recommendations to the Council. Motion carried.

RTAC – Regional Trauma Advisory Committee is not scheduled to meet again until March. The EMS Needs Assessment is due back by January 31. Merrilee Carlson has been making follow-up calls to services.

Discussion about the survey as seeming more like a critique then a needs assessment. Some of the questions are absurd with the chance for no consistency in answers.

FUNDING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – Jan reported on discussions at the State EMS Board level related to the training monies under the Funding Assistance Program (FAP). The monies will be sent directly to each service (the state will no longer pay the training center directly for EMT-basic and refresher training) based upon one of several formulas being discussed. Discussion about number of EMTs on the service needing training being the basis for the training award.

MAST – Question: Are MAST required to be carried on an ambulance by DOT Trans 309?

NEXT MEETING – The next meeting is scheduled for February 26^th at MMC in Ashland.

Motion made by Gary Victorson, seconded by Chuck Elton, to adjourn the meeting. Meeting adjourned.

NOTE: Although the meeting was formally adjourned, several of the members discussed the issue of MMC providing juice in the EMT room rather than food at EMS Council meetings held in Mason. Consensus that more EMS personnel would benefit from the juice in the EMT room at MMC. Merrilee will report back to the Council.

IN ATTENDANCE

Bill Andresen Bayfield

Merrilee Carlson MMC/Ashland

Viola Friermood Barnes

Dean Hambrecht Great Divide

Candy Hankins Great Divide

Tam Hofman South Shore

Peg Kman Barnes

Cindy Lazorik WITC

Stuart Matthias Ashland

Rob Puhls Great Divide

Kevin Thornton Medical Director

Gary Victorson Iron River, Mason

Jan Victorson Bayfield County EM