The March 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 Mason Emergency Services Training Room in Mason.

Motion made by Bill Andresen, seconded by Chuck Elton, to approve the minutes of the February meeting with corrections. Motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Chuck Elton reported that there is a balance of $6,341.19 at present. The check has been issued for medical direction for last quarter.

Motion made by Gary Victorson, seconded by Bill Andresen, to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Motion carried.

INTRODUCTIONS – Dean introduced John Schulz as the new medical director. He then requested that all around the table introduce themselves.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT – Jan Victorson reported that the equipment/mass casualty trailer is in the area. Supplies and equipment is currently being ordered to stock the trailer. It will be stored at the Washburn Fire Hall with the understanding they may use equipment as required and will pull the trailer to locations when requested and paged through dispatch.

RTAC (Regional Trauma Advisory Committee) – The Lake Superior RTAC met on March 18^th. She received 80% return on the EMS Needs Assessment. HRSA grant money for the RTAC is being received in the amount of $2,500 a month. The first objective to comply with the grant requirements was completion of the EMS Needs Assessment; the second objective is to develop triage and transport guidelines. Offering START (Simple triage and rapid treatment) to EMS providers throughout the RTAC region has been discussed.

Merrilee attended a topic conference for Performance Improvement (PI).

The next meeting of the RTAC is scheduled for April 22^nd at the Cable Community Centre. RTAC needs nominations for the chair position. Hospital needs assessments are being sent out to hospitals in the region.

CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) – Keith Tveit brought up the ongoing CERT training throughout Wisconsin and START is a part of that offering. He presented an overview of the approximately 20 hour training course that teaches skills that encourage citizens to take care of themselves, their families, their neighbors and then their communities. The concepts are simple; the approach is very innovative.

STATE EMS OFFICE – Merrilee gave a summary of the changes coming with the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) with the change of the EMS Bureau back to a Section. Meg Taylor will be the head of the Bureau of Local Health Support and EMS.

WITC – Cindy Lazorik reviewed the Refresher classes coming up. She also stated that a Basic class may be held in the Drummond/Barnes area this coming fall.

Concern was expressed by several that the cancellation of Basic-EMT classes has hurt services. Several examples were discussed. She stated that it is a district decision to require 10 students in order to run a class. Discussion about concern with state no longer mandating that the training will be offered free-of-charge to EMT Basic students. There was an additional concern about the long-term impact on rural EMS when classes are routinely cancelled due to low enrollment. Dan Clark agreed to draft a letter stating our concerns that may be mailed to WITC and state legislators.

COMMUNICATIONS – Gary Victorson reported that the review and revising to the Bayfield County radio SOGs (Suggested Operation Guidelines) is just about complete. The current draft document was distributed. People were encouraged to read through the document and get comments back to him, Tam Hofman or Jan Victorson.

Discussion was held about the use of ALS 400 as an intercept frequency whenever possible rather than using the Bayfield County repeaters. There was additional discussion about Ashland folks not understanding how the Bayfield County system works.

RECRUITMENT – Jan relayed information being discussed at the Douglas and Bayfield County Fire Association meetings related to increasing public awareness of the need for volunteers. May 14^th from 3:00 PM to May 15^th at 3:00 PM + 7 minutes is the time for departments to have personnel standing by in visible locations especially along highway corridors. The media is very interested in covering this event if most departments in two or more counties are actually out in visible locations during this time. The hope would be that an individual driving from Red Cliff to Duluth would see department after department along the way all with the same message – We are on call 24/7 – Be Somebody – volunteer for your community.

Discussion include additional ideas including use of DOT or other large, programmable signs throughout the area (banks, etc.), use of a proclamation, posters, etc.

Motion made by Dan Clark, seconded by Gary Victorson, to support the concept of the media event and encourage member services to participate. Motion carried.

EMS WEEK – Discussion about possible EMS week activities. Bayfield will again visit the schools and day care centers in their area. Ashland is hosting a car set clinic on May 14^th – 1 to 4 PM at the Ellis Station. Additional discussion about possible EMS Week activities at next months meeting.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS – Dan Clark announced that Washburn Ambulance is again hosting their golf outing in Ashland. They are also selling raffle tickets for the Fire and Ambulance at $100. Only 500 tickets will be sold.

CLEARING C-SPINES – Dan brought the question related to EMT-Basics clearing c-spines in the field. A lengthy discussion was held. This protocol review was referred to MDAC.

NEXT MEETING – The next meeting of the Council is scheduled for April 22^nd at 7:30. The MDAC (Medical Director Advisory Committee) will meet at 5:30 the same day.

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

IN ATTENDANCE

Bill Andresen Bayfield

Ron Brendalen Mellen

Merrilee Carlson MMC

Dan Clark Washburn

Dan Diamon Gold Cross

Chuck Elton Washburn

Teresa Gunderson Mason

Dean Hambrecht Great Divide

Rich Huber Mellen

Cindy Lazorik WITC

Mike Ramirez Apostle Island Natl Lakeshore

John Schulz Medical Director

Marcia Swanson South Shore

Dorothy Tank Ashland Co EM

Keith Tveit Ashland

Gary Victorson Iron River, Mason

Jan Victorson Bayfield County EM