FINANCIAL REPORT - Steve Cordes reported on income and expenditures. A balance of $1504.85 remains after filing incorporation papers and paying for the website.

Motion made by Tam Hofman, seconded by Lyn Cornelius, to approve the financial report. Motion carried.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR - Jan Victorson read an email from Jonathan Shultz, co-medical director for the Basic services contracting through the EMS Council stating that he will be reviewing as many runs as possible thru WARDS in order to become more familiar with current demographics and practices. He asked services to mark a run "requires review" if there are any specific questions or concerns related to that particular run.

There was discussion and problem solving related to those services using other software to enter run data.

Paperwork required by the state EMS office adding Dr. Jonathan Shultz as a co-medical director for the nine basic services has been filed and recognized. A copy of service information was forwarded to that service director.

INTRODUCTIONS - Dean asked those present to introduce themselves.

RTAC - The PHTLS (Pre Hospital Trauma Life Support) course is scheduled for February 5 and 6 in Washburn. Registration information has been disseminated through the Lake Superior RTAC (Regional Trauma Advisory Council) email list.

The next Lake Superior RTAC meeting is scheduled for March 10th in Spooner.

MMC - Steve Cordes announced that the sink is working in the garage.

CO ALARM GUIDELINE - The CO alarm guideline forwarded by the Bayfield County Fire Association was reviewed. EMS procedures for CO response were discussed. Providers do not respond "hot" unless it is medically necessary.

The closest hyperbaric chamber that may be used for CO poisoning is HCMC/Minneapolis. Wisconsin has a hyperbaric chamber in Milwaukee.

COMMUNICATIONS - There was a failure in the Bayfield repeater recently. Since then Bayfield County has been working at updating contact numbers in dispatch in case of a failure in the radio system. Please return the requested information to Bayfield County Emergency Management as soon as possible.

SCHOOL RESPONSE PLANNING - Drummond School recently opened their doors to emergency services conducting an in depth tour of the facility pointing out areas of vulnerability and asking for input from responders to address any issues. South Shore School has been engaging in ongoing planning in concert with emergency services serving the area. They are also planning for a Tabletop exercise in March. Discussion related to identified issues and resources.

HELICOPTER EMS - It has been 12 months since Life Link III has been serving this area with bases in Hibbing and Rice Lake. Lengthy discussion related to activation and response issues.

Activation: Early activation is crucial - request the helicopter be launched immediately. Life Link III will find the best option/closest helicopter. The helicopter will return to base if cancelled once responders are on scene and find there is no need for helicopter transport. Even though 45 minutes may seem like a long response time for the helicopter, adding together time to get people to the scene, potential locating, extricating, packaging and loading of patient may total that same time frame.

It is not an EMTALA violation to bring a patient to the hospital landing zone/helipad and load patient direct to the helicopter. Responders should be prepared to describe what have and the helicopter may assist with problem solving.

The only situations when helicopter EMS will not be able to transport a patient: · Contaminated with hazmat; decon must be completed. · Extremely obese = 62 inches or more around (350 lbs estimate) - crew will jump in ground ambulance to assist with critical patient. · Imminent delivery - will bring a neonate team to location; transport critical mom or baby after birth.

Auto-Launch: Life Link III shared an auto-launch policy currently being discussed in Barron County. The policy includes criteria for a communications center to use when considering automatically launching the helicopter rather than waiting for a request from field EMS.

Landing Zone: A landing zone does not need to be known or identified when requesting a helicopter response. An approximate scene location is all that is needed to get the helicopter started. Radio frequency: There was a discussion about a radio frequency to use when communicating with helicopter EMS. The Wisconsin Air Medical Council is advocating for use one common frequency throughout Wisconsin. MARC 2 was discussed with concern expressed about what activation of the MARC 1 repeater will do to any communications on MARC 2 or the direct side of the repeater frequency. For now this region will continue using EMS A for helicopter communications. (EMS A and ALS 400 [155.400] are the same frequency.)

Updated contact information for service directors will be forwarded to Life Link III.

NARROWBAND CONVERSION - Both Ashland and Bayfield Counties are planning to make the move to narrowband in the August/September timeframe. Discussion.

NEXT MEETING - The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 7:00 PM. Agenda will include review of the Exposure Control Plan.

Motion made by Pete Schenck, seconded by Lyn Cornelius, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

IN ATTENDANCE

Ron Brendalen - Mellen
Steve Cordes - Mason
Lyn Cornelius - Bayfield
Dean Hambrecht - Great Divide
Tam Hofman - APIS and South Shore
Ed Hofstrand - Life Link III
John Huot - Life Link III
Peg Kman - Iron River
Jenny Kurilla - BASO Dispatch
Bob Rhiel - Life Link III
Pete Schenck - South Shore
Jan Victorson - BA Emergency Management
Tom Walters - Ashland
Carri Willoughby - Iron River