Council meeting minutes March 2009

Item	Description	Action
Call to Order	The meeting of the Southern Tier Regional EMS Council was called to order at 7:01 PM by Bob Rajsky, Chairperson. The roll was called.	None
Correspondence and announcements	Letter from Gary Tuthill, Bureau of EMS, regarding the aspirin administration by BLS providers: this is a Basic Life Support skill found in the New York State BLS adult and pediatric treatment protocols. This skill requires no prior approval from the regional council. However, agency medical directors should be consulted prior to implementing this into the local system.	None.
Correspondence and announcements	The Department of Health Enforcement Notices were read: Atlantic Steamer Fire Company No. 1 from Oyster Bay, New York, assessed a civil penalty of $2000 for violation of Article 30, 3005, subsection 1. John Kochay from Marlboro, New York, suspended effective March of 09 and civil penalty of $2000 for Part 800 violations. David Forester from Dansville, New York, suspended for a year, placed on probation for 3 years, and a civil penalty of $1500 for violations of Part 800. Other correspondence/announcements: Correspondence from Ross Zastrow from the New York State Department of Health regarding a few issues in Jasper, with Jasper Ambulance Service, sounds like that's being resolved, so that's under way. Regional EMS Town Meetings are going on this month, there was had one last night at Bath Ambulance. Tuesday we have one in Montour Falls at their fire department, and then Wednesday the 27th here at EMSTAR. Decon training happening May 27 at Ira Davenport. Disaster and Trauma Care Conference in Rochester on June 5th. MOLST Conference June 23rd, 8-5 at Indian Hills Golf Course in Painted Post Life Ride August 29th. That's a ride where folks travel, 3 different locations, learn CPR, first aid, and what to do before the ambulance arrives. The bus trip that was scheduled for next week for the memorial trip to Albany was canceled due to the lack of participants. The EMSTAR office will be closed tomorrow. The electric system is being redone and there will be no electricity from 5AM until they're done.	None.
Approval of meeting minutes	The minutes of the January meeting were approved on a motion by Ms. Sweely, seconded by Mr. Brzozowski.	None
REPORTS
Training Committee	The Training Committee report was given by Maryann Sweely. Approval of Mr Brzozowski as CIC; all internships completed, all paperwork submitted. Motion made, seconded (Kimball/Smith) and approved. Approval of Arnot Ogden Medical Center's course sponsorship. They have submitted the long form, which has been reviewed and determined to be complete. Motion made, seconded (Gressel/Brzozowski) and approved with one abstention.	None
Public Relations	Public relations report given by Patti Gressel. The committee was given an assignment at the last meeting to come up with some stroke awareness. The result is public awareness notification in refrigerator magnets, combining the stroke signs and symptoms and the myocardial infarction signs and symptoms, including the 911 number to call. Regarding the memorial wall, it was felt that it was best to keep things simple; plans now are to include some people to be recognized as how they changed EMS locally.	None
STREMAC	A complaint was registered with the STREMAC concerning a situation that involves medical control that originates outside of our region and a physician who works within our region; a letter was sent, consistent with our REMAC to REMAC agreement, asking that this situation be investigated. Sedation assisted intubation protocol: it was approved by STREMAC, for use by Paramedics only at this time. This protocol will become part of a new set of protocols that will be promulgated some time in 2010. These protocols will not be implemented it until a significant training program is undertaken, as well as the regional protocol approval processes. Motion to approve made, seconded (Huffner/Brzozowski) and passed. Regional ID Badge Policy: approved by STREMAC. One change made by STREMAC, that for certified providers it would lapse on the date their state certification lapsed and 12 months for the non-certified responders. Motion made, seconded (Huffner/Jerzak) and passed. Two STREMAC Advisories: the first has to do with alternate forms of medical communication. What this advisory does is encourage providers to use established radio communication, but obviously when it's not available, which is not infrequently, that they attempt to use a methodology that would allow for the recording of the medical control contact. Motion to approve made, seconded (Huffner/Manganaro); passed. The second advisory talks about the importance of early electrocardiography in suspected ST Elevation MI or Acute Coronary Syndrome, and encouraging providers to get those in the fastest possible time frame and transmitted to the appropriate institution as soon as possible. Motion to approve made, seconded (Huffner/Lewis) and passed. AED & ALS permit approvals: AED renewal for Campbell Fire Department. Approved (Huffner/Lucas). ALS permit renewal for Erway Ambulance Service. Approved (Huffner/Lewis). ALS permit for Schuyler Ambulance. Approved (Huffner/Sweely).	None
Quality Improvement	The Quality Improvement Committee report was given by Bob Rajsky. The quarterly reports were reviewed; it was noted that the number of GCS fallouts for that quarter had gone down. We are awaiting reports from some of the areas for the QIPP Awards. The focus study was discussed. The Department of Health in the contract to the Program Agency calls for us to do a focus study and last contract period we did the stroke. That's being finalized; the biggest thing that came out of that were the fallouts of no documentation of the Cincinnati stroke scale being completed. The focus study for the next year or so is the review of BLS and ALS protocol adherence.	None
CISM	Tabled until next meeting.	None
Other Business	Regional Council Budget for the upcoming year 2010-2011. Our contract allotment for approximately 20 years has been $25000. A question was raised concerning webcasting costs, and how many people view the webcast. It was suggested that the budget be revised showing the cost of webcasting for the next budget cycle. Motion made, seconded (Huffner/Lewis) and passed to approve the Council budget. New York State EMS awards: Please hand them out, fill them out, do something with them. The last couple of years the Southern Tier has taken a little heat in Albany that we haven't nominated anyone. The Arnot Ogden Medical Center's on-line Paramedic refresher program was approved by the Department of Health. The EMT program was not yet approved. Revised Regional Policies. Motion to approve made, seconded (Josbeno-Oakes/Sweely), and passed. Word has been received that Ryan Barker, a West Hill firefighter and an employee of Erway Ambulance, who was killed in a fire truck crash, will be enshrined on the state Fallen Firefighters memorial in Albany. However, the Fallen Firefighters Committee once again rejected the application of Dick Sullivan. Schuyler County dispatch center has been remodeled, new equipment, new furniture, new phone system, radio system. 911 calls for Chemung and Schuyler now rollover to each other when needed.	None
Adjournment; Next meeting	Next meeting is scheduled for September 10. Meeting adjourned at 7:54 PM on a motion by Dr. Huffner	None

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	Southern Tier Regional Emergency Medical Services Council

Southern Tier Regional Emergency Medical Services Council