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Southern Tier Regional Emergency Medical Services Council

Council Meeting, Thursday, March 12, 2009; 7:00 PM EMSTAR, Elmira NY

Present: Bob Rajsky, chairperson; Steve Bennett, Frank Brzozowski, Jim Chrabaszcz, Pearl Jayne for C. Cuyle, Linda Donley, Don Duvall, Bill Hawk, Dr. Huffner, Henry Jerzak, Bernadette Josbeno-Oakes, Rick Kimball, Jim Kintz, Al Lewis, Carol Lucas, Dr. Manganaro, Dean Patterson, Ann Repsher, Mike Smith, Mike Sprague, Maryann Sweely, Mary Ann Teeter. Staff: Judy Blair
Absent/Excused: G. Blitz, R. Churches, S. Churches, F. Crist, C. Cuyle, P. Gressel, W. Kennedy, S. Manganaro, D. Molyno, T. Symonds.
Guests: Art Jones, Ross Zastrow, Arlyn Smith, Daryl Tombs, Mary Vosburg.
Item Description Action
Call to Order The meeting of the Southern Tier Regional EMS Council was called to order at 7:03 PM by Bob Rajsky, Chairperson. The roll was called. None
Correspondence and announcements Introductions: Art Jones, Rural Health; Daryl Tombs, Rural-Metro; Ross Zastrow, NYS DOH; Mary Vosburg, St. Joseph's; Arlen Smith, Allegheny County. None.
The Department of Health Enforcement Notices were read:
  • Stephanie Crespo from Bronx, NY. Suspended for a year and probation for 2 years, for part 800.16 violation.
  • Hugo Pinella of Pelham Manor, NY, suspended for a year and probation for 3 years for part 800.16 violations.
Other correspondence/announcements (all are noted on the EMSTAR website):
  • EMS Leadership webcast Saturday, April 25 at the Steuben 911 Center, broadcast to that site from the Catskill-Hudson region.
  • EMS Continuing Education day at Bath High School March 21, 8:30 4:30.
  • We received information from New York State - NY-Alert, a new service on current road conditions, road closings, emergency situations, in an attempt to get providers around those places that may be closed or are unable to be passed.
  • Bus trip to the EMS Memorial, May 20, it's going to leave from Hornell at 0500, from Bath at 0545, Painted Post at 0615, Elmira at 0700, get to the ceremony by 1100 and then leave Albany by 3pm. The cost is $25.
Approval of meeting minutes The minutes of the January meeting were approved on a motion by Mr. Duvall, seconded by Mr. Lewis. None
REPORTS
SEMAC/SEMSCo SEMAC report: Dr. Huffner
SEMAC mat February 17, and approved ALS protocols from Midstate, Monroe-Livingston and Suffolk.
  • Issues associated with the blood transfusion policy and the regulations and the regulatory change needed to enable the administration of blood and blood products on interfacility transports, are moving forward.
  • " Continuing discussion on waveform capnography, SEMAC Advisory 08-01 (http://www.nyhealth.gov/nysdoh/ems/pdf/s0801.pdf) effective June 1, 2009
SEMSCo Report: Donnie DuVall
  • Finance and budget are being carefully watched, meetings have been cut from 5 to 4 per year and travel is limited.
  • Two hospitals in Queens have closed due to bankruptcy. Another in Fulton is scheduled to close (Berger Commission). All of these will have a serious impact on EMS in those areas
 None
Training Committee Three course evaluations were reviewed: CFR Original (Glenn Vogel), 87.5% pass rate; CFR Refresher (Glenn Vogel), 100% pass rate; EMT-B Refresher (Bill Gallow), 100% class rate. Still not receiving state grades, Mr. Zastrow to look into. Also an evaluation from an Instructor Update was reviewed. None
STREMAC Dr Huffner reported on the November 2008 and the February 2009 STREMAC meetings.
First is a policy statement regarding ID badges for non-certified personnel. It has been approved by the STREMAC. This policy recognized that trained, non-certified personnel can be a valuable resource at many incidents requiring EMS or multisystem response, provided these personnel are easily recognizable. It is also important there a consistent set of minimum standards that correspond to this particular identification, and the thought was that perhaps giving an ID badge to people who participate in somewhat of a peripheral way in EMS agencies might serve as incentive to become certified. It will only be valid for a year, and would include bloodborne pathogen training, hepatitis B vaccination or some type of declination, HIPAA or confidentiality training, some type of orientation to the agency, general scene safety, and CPR/AED certification. Moved, seconded (Huffner/Sweely) and carried.
There is a proposed change to the STREMAC Rules of Operation, to create an Executive Committee, but it still needs some work.
Fremont Ambulance wants to begin using the e-PCR. STREMAC has approved it; it needs Council approval. Motion made, seconded (Huffner/Brzozowski) and passed.
The proposed CME Accreditation Policy is an enabling process for STREMAC to develop a standardized way to award CEUs for educational activities within the region. Moved and seconded (Huffner/Sweely). After lengthy discussion, Mr Chrabaszcz called the question. The motion was approved with one opposing vote.
ALS Permits: Renewals for Hammondsport and Troupsburg, both ILS. Moved, seconded (Huffner/Lewis) and carried. 		None
Quality Improvement Quality Improvement met in February and reviewed the reports from the fourth quarter of 2008. As a result of that review, some issues have been referred to Training for education. It has been recommended that Area Coordinators invite First Response units to participate in their QI meetings. The 405 regulations were reviewed; hospitals are required to submit four reports per year. The committee also reviewed the committee's goals and objectives. It was felt that the goals for 2008 were met; some changes were made for 2009. None
CISM The Tri-Count Critical Incident Stress Management team's 2008 report was reviewed. The team recently sponsored a training program and added 19 new members. Still working on arranging a call system through the county 911 centers. None
Executive Committee The Executive Committee did not meet. The re-elected Vice Chairperson took the oath of office. None
Adjournment; Next meeting Next meeting is scheduled for May 14. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM on a motion by Mr. Bennett.