The August 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 Chuck Elton, seconded by Kevin Thornton, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Chuck Elton reported a total of $4,149.49 in the Council Treasury. He projected $3000 going to Kevin Thornton as medical director leaving a balance of approximately $1100 to work with.

Motion made by Peg Kman, seconded by Kevin Thornton, to accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.

MDAC – Kevin Thornton reported that the Medical Director Advisory Committee last met in June. Issues that will be forthcoming include: Dorothy Tank has resigned from Glidden Ambulance; pediatric SOGs developed at the state level have been received and will need review. He reminded services to give radio reports as soon as possible before arrival at the hospital. He also reported that he will be attending the state Physicians Advisory Committee (PAC) and medical directors state meeting in September. Rick Mayher from Medford is starting as to work at MMC’s ER. He has experience as an EMS medical director.

RTAC – No meeting in August. Merrilee reported that a grant has been awarded to the Lake Superior Regional Trauma Advisory Committee (RTAC) but no money has been received.

COMMUNICATIONS – Jan Victorson reported on the August User Board meeting for Bayfield County. The user board was asking for input from the EMS Council related to use of plain text radio identifiers rather than numbers. Using the service name (Iron River) plus who you are (EMT Victorson) was discussed. Discussion including concern about use of last name for confidentiality reasons, include municipality with dispatch of the department, and ask dispatchers what would work best for them. ER would prefer use of the service name to the number. Discussions about existing radio/communications systems in both Ashland and Bayfield County included identification that Madeline Island has a UHF radio system on which they communicate with each other – not heard by the dispatchers.

9-1-1 PUBLIC EDUCATION – Discussion about purchasing the multi-colored 9-1-1 + guide to first aid brochure throughout Ashland and Bayfield counties. These brochures could be used for EMS week, school visits, etc. Estimate need for 10,000.

MAILING LISTS – Jan is still looking for updated mailind lists from providers.

ANNUAL MEETING – Bill Andresen volunteered to host the Annual Meeting at the Fore N Aft restaurant just south of Bayfield. The date for the meeting/dinner is September 26^th. Bill will forward information to Jan for distribution.

COMMUNICATIONS PLAN – Jan mailed copies of the state EMS Communications Plan to all services just for information. Discussion.

REQUESTS FOR EMS SUPPORT – The Fat Tire Festival, being held September 13^thand 14^th, and the Apple Festival, being held October 4^th and 5^th requested assistance with providing EMS for the events.

REFUSAL FORMS – Discussion about distribution of and signatures to HIPAA information:

· Washburn – mail to patient

· Madeline Island – mail to patient

· Barnes – sign in ambulance or at hospital; includes an “agree to pay” clause

· Iron River – sign in ambulance or at hospital

· Mellen – 0

· Bayfield – sign in ambulance

NEXT MEETING – The next meeting will be the annual meeting and dinner to be held on September 26, 2003 at the Fore N Aft Restaurant in Bayfield.

Motion made by Peg Kman, seconded by Merrilee Carlson, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

IN ATTENDANCE

Bill Andresen Bayfield

Ron Brendalen Mellen

Merrilee Carlson MMC/Ashland

Chuck Elton Washburn

Peg Kman Barnes

Les Luder Superior Fire

Mary Ross Madeline Island

Kevin Thornton Medical Director

Gary Victorson Iron River

Jan Victorson Bayfield County EM