The November/December 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 Board Room of MMC/Ashland.

TREASURER REPORT Chuck Elton reported that we have a balance of $5112.77 in the treasury. Website billing to the six services working toward use of the scheduling portion of the website have been paid by those services.

Motion made by Scott Thimm, seconded by Tam Hofman, to accept the Treasurers Report. Motion carried.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR Keith Wesley of Eau Claire, currently medical director for the Chippewa Fire Protection District, on the state EMS Board, and medical director for the Wisconsin EMS Association, is willing to serve as interim medical director for the ten basic services within the Council. Discussion.

Motion made by Chuck Elton, seconded by Scott Thimm, to request Dr. Keith Wesley to serve as interim medical director/advisor for a period of six months. Motion carried.

LAKE SUPERIOR RTAC The Lake Superior Regional Trauma Advisory Council (RTAC) presented Bayfield Ambulance with a check for $1400 for completion of the Wisconsin EMS Emergency Preparedness Plan training.

Discussion about possible group purchases including a mobile repeater.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Jan Victorson reported on last weeks state EMS subcommittee and Board meetings.

· Current goal is to work toward a four year licensure period with this renewal. Licenses may still show only two years, but an updated license will follow.

· Refresher may be flexible in approach and link to licensure making tracking it an individual responsibility with provider validation (open to audit); requirement to meet hour content through conferences, approved web-based training, etc.; if a traditional refresher is not held, competencies may need to be tested (3 to 5 skills and written exam).

· There is serious consideration to moving the EMT-IV Tech language to Administrative Rule 111 allowing for billing medicare at advanced provider rates.

· Discussion of Triage Tuesday concept.

· Provider handbook being revised; hope to be more user friendly/cookbook approach to information.

· Impact of changes to FAP will be reviewed at a future point.

· Operational Plans have a revised format and checklist on the website; valid operational plan a requirement for re-licensure.

WITC Little information has been forthcoming from WITC related to upcoming classes. Lengthy discussion. Secretary requested to put information together and forward to Cindy Lazorik at WITC and encourage their participation.

ASHLAND CHIEF TVEIT Keith Tveit is retiring as Ashland Fire Chief as of December 31st; he will be staying in the area. A nationwide search is being conducted, projected to take three to six months, with Wayne Chenier is Acting Chief in the interim.

TOY DRIVE Ashland Fire is heading up the toy drive. Donations of new, unwrapped toys or money are requested. Toys are delivered throughout the area.

BAYFIELD AMBULANCE Bill Andresen announced his retirement as director of Bayfield Ambulance. He introduced Jamie Paterson who will be director after January 1st.

HELICOPTER LANDING ZONE TRAINING The Bayfield County Fire Association is looking at coordinating area landing zone training at two locations in Bayfield County Port Wing and Grand View. Glidden will have landing zone training in the spring in conjunction with EMT class being conducted there.

NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the EMS Council is scheduled for Thursday, January 26th, 7:00 PM in the MMC Board Room.

Motion made by Scott Thimm, seconded by Mary Ross, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.

IN ATTENDANCE

Bill Andresen Bayfield

Ron Brendalen Mellen

Dan Diamon Gold Cross / Lake Superior RTAC

Chuck Elton Washburn

Dean Hambrecht Great Divide

Tam Hofman South Shore

Mike Larsen National Park Service

Jamie Paterson Bayfield

Mary Ross Madeline Island

Scott Thimm Ashland

Jan Victorson Bayfield County EM

Don Wrege Mellen