INCORPORATION PAPERS – Steve reported that he had received the papers required to continue as a corporation. Ron Brendalen, Dan Clark, and Lyn Cornelius signed as board members with the last submission. There was a consensus to stay with the same “board members”. Steve will obtain signatures from them.

OFFICERS REPORT – The officers met to discuss several issues related to medical direction and quality improvement.

We received a letter from Dr. Patton after our meeting with him and other emergency room staff. The letter from Dr. Patton to the Council was read as was the response proposed by the officers. There was lengthy discussion about continuing to maintain openness between pre-hospital and MMC.

QI FORM – The Quality Improvement form was reviewed. Dr. Shultz reminded the group that the form is about education. When a form is received by Dr. Shultz, he reviews and then forwards to Dr. Wesley. They dialogue about the situation and format a response to both parties that is the same. The service response will go to the service director. He encourages all concerns go to him rather than have individual concerns addressed through other mechanisms and not be part of the whole picture.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR – Dr. Shultz and Dr. Wesley have discussed the co-medical directorship. The date for Dr. Shultz to begin officially will be January 1, 2011.

RUN REVIEW – A recent run was reviewed at the state level – service diverted by MMC to Duluth during bad weather. The consensus of all who reviewed the run was that MMC acted appropriately. A reminder that MMC has chosen to be a Level IV trauma center rather than a Level III due to staffing issues.

There was a discussion about transport decisions based on staffing levels at MMC. MMC has been very helpful in providing an accurate assessment of their capabilities. EMTs are encouraged to call MMC early, request talking to the ER physician/medical control and documenting the transport decision and physician name on the patient run report.

LAKE SUPERIOR RTAC – Dan Diamon reviewed several items:

· Revised MCI planning guidance is available on the state EMS website;

· PHTLS practitioner course is scheduled for February 5 and 6 in Washburn;

· PHTLS Instructor course tentatively scheduled for March 26;

· PHTLS practitioner course tentatively scheduled for April 30 and May 1 in the Hayward area.

· PSA competition will be kicked off by a “call to action” video in January;

· Newsletters were distributed and will be emailed to RTAC members;

· Next RTAC meeting is scheduled for March 10 in Spooner.

WITC – The EMT class is continuing with the National Registry scheduled for May. Refresher training will start in Washburn in January.

MMC – The Exposure Control Plan update has not been received by all services. Merrilee Carlson will follow-up.

Discussion about the need for the Council to review the Exposure Control Plan in light of recent information received through the EMS Section related to TB testing.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT – The Northwest Regional SCIP (State Interoperability Implementation Plan) Council has made a recommendation that all counties within the region move mutual aid frequencies to narrowband during the month of September 2011. Discussion about narrowband and need for coordination that includes the hospitals and helicopter related to the migration.

HIPAA – Iron River EMS has purchased a DVD that explains the changes coming in HIPPA. Contact Gary Victorson if you would wish to view.

WEMSA – Rich Adams, Director of Sales and Customer Services provided a WEMSA Conference overview. He also outlined the group buying program, planned Association website upgrade and new student membership program.

WILLS FOR HEROES – The Wisconsin Bar Association now is providing free wills for public safety personnel. Contact www.willsforheroes.com for additional information.

FAP – Service directors have received a notice the FAP monies will be based on the number of runs in WARDS. If there is more than a 20% discrepancy and audit will be performed.

WARDS – Mason lost 75 runs in WARDS…simply not there even though entered. Discussion about retrieving data, WARDS upload from other programs, Ashland Fire reports 705 runs documented in WARDS with over 1700 runs on record.

NEXT MEETING – The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 27, 2011 – 7:00 PM. Agenda items to include review of the Exposure Control Plan and Medical Director position changes.

Motion made by Gary Victorson, seconded by Dan Diamon, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

IN ATTENDANCE

Ron Brendalen Mellen

Merrilee Carlson MMC

Steve Cordes Mason

Lyn Cornelius Bayfield

Marie Cupp Washburn

Dan Diamon Lake Superior RTAC

Dean Hambrecht Great Divide

Tam Hofman APIS and South Shore

Cindy Lazorik WITC EMS Specialist

Pete Schenck South Shore

Jonathan Shultz Medical Director

Gary Victorson Iron River Ambulance

Jan Victorson BA Emergency Management

Tom Walters Ashland

Guest: Rich Adams WEMSA