August 30, 2004

Dear Service/Corporate Member:

As the Wisconsin EMS Association has grown in Service and Corporate members, so has participation and reliance on the Group Buying Program. Due to the combined buying power of now more than 300 member organizations that purchase an estimated 2.5 million dollars in EMS equipment and supplies each year, the Association is pleased to announce even lower pricing on dozens of everyday EMS items and supplies. Association staff members have been working on the latest contracts that include medical supplies and accessories, two-way radios, and Motorola Minitor IV pagers for more than six months.

Medical supplies and accessories represent the largest and most utilized component of the Group Buying Program. In knowing this, Association staff set out by releasing a list of 25 very common medical supply items to gain a perspective on market pricing and narrow the field of contenders to the top two. A total of six proposals were received with the Association electing to continue discussions with Emergency Medical Products (EMP), a current contract holder, and Tri-anim Health Services. Matrx Medical Corporation, also a current contract holder, did not submit a proposal. As we expanded the list of supply items and evaluated the attributes of each company, the landscape began to change dramatically for EMP as we found ourselves not dealing with previous contacts at EMP, but rather negotiating with BoundTree Medical senior management since a merger of the two companies continues to take shape. Most alarming was the original list of 25 items and prices that brought us to the table with EMP also changed and were increased by BoundTree. While renewal of any contract is certainly not automatic, every effort was made to retain a high performing vendor, but multiple deadlines were missed and pricing on several items were increased, so a decision was made to move forward in naming Tri-anim as the single source provider. Current contract pricing is protected with EMP until December 1, 2004 and Matrx until September 30, 2004. Should you elect to continue with either of these companies, pay very close attention to your product pricing and invoicing after the contract period ends.

From the start Tri-anim was serious about gaining the Wisconsin EMS Association’s endorsement. They came to the table aggressive in their line item pricing – in several cases beating prices that have been in place the past two-years with EMP and Matrx – as well as meeting with Association executive staff in their corporate office in California for sixteen hours of meetings and two-days of presentations with senior management. To say the least, Association staff has evaluated almost every aspect of Tri-anim’s services – even to the point of conducting customer reference checks with ambulance directors and those who are responsible for ordering products. All of these conversations validated what Tri-anim management presented to us and further cemented the reality they are who they say they are – a competitive and trustworthy partner in an ever-changing EMS market. With this being said, I am very pleased to formally announce a two-year agreement with Tri-anim Health Services effective September 1, 2004.

In the next few days you will receive a rollout package from Tri-anim that includes a welcome letter, contracted item list of over 400 products, a sales and customer service contact list, as well as instructions on how to easily purchase your supplies under this new agreement. Tri-anim has already established customer accounts and a pre-approved credit line (municipality owned agencies only) for every Service and Corporate member as well as created an on-line tutorial in use of the innovative e-Quick System – their web-based catalog and shopping cart that provides for customizing order templates, order history by item, dollars saved in using the Association’s contract, over 50,000 EMS products with pictures, product literature, peer reviews, and more! The Association estimates 50% of its members place their product supply orders via the Internet. If you are more in tune with using a traditional paperbound catalog, there too is good news. Tri-anim’s newest catalog will be released sometime this fall, so anticipate a mailed copy once it is available.

Sometimes change is not easy. However, given today’s climate of fiscal responsibility and tight budgets, I believe the Association has done its best to find the lowest pricing as well as bringing to you the industries latest web-based order fulfillment technologies that will offer greater efficiency and convenience to your operation. Please anticipate these changes and look to embrace them for reasons stated above and others you will read about in the September-October issue of EMS Professionals magazine.

I have asked that a Tri-anim representative contact each of our members to help aid in a smooth transition. The purpose of this call will be to introduce the new program and answer any questions members may have. They will not try to sell you anything or force you in any way to place an order with them. It is the job of the Wisconsin EMS Association to provide the best service possible to our members. Tri-anim is dedicating additional staff to be able to quickly make contact with our Service and Corporate members on our request. If you do not need any assistance, simply inform the Tri-anim representative and that will bring the telephone call to an end. Tri-anim and the Wisconsin EMS Association are here to serve our members by exceeding their expectations – not to force sales upon members who are not interested in them.

Tri-anim has honestly earned the rights and privileges that come with this endorsement. I am asking our members to support this arrangement and others the Association has developed. If you have questions, concerns or need assistance, please contact the Wisconsin EMS Association and one of our staff members will be happy to assist you.

Sincerely,
Richard F. Meeker, RN, EMT-P
President