Present: Meeker, Hunjadi, TeStroete, Schilder, McCarrier, Allen, Schultz, Hackett, Teale, and Merrill

Notified Absent: Blount, Playman

Guests: Blaine Warner, Mark Bennett

President: President Meeker introduced two guests, Blaine Werner and Mark Bennett. Both are interested in the pending open seats on the Board of Directors. Current Board member introductions were completed. Meeker had no further specific items other than to request we alter the agenda to address Board member resignations and appointments. Motion by Allen, second by Schultz to move the agenda items of resignations and appointments to the top. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.

Paul Blount has moved out of state with no plans during his remaining term to return to Wisconsin. Blount’s term began April, 2000 and will expire March, 2003. Motion by TeStroete, second by Merrill to accept the resignation of Paul Blount. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Schilder raised the question regarding Blount repaying his debt after not being able to fulfill his contracted obligations in the Membership/Public Relations position. Motion by TeStroete to write a letter to Blount asking for a definitive time schedule for repayment. Second by Hackett. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.

After the motion to start proceedings regarding his lack of participation on the Board, Marc Playman provided his resignation from the Board stating he was too busy to finish his term. Playman’s term began in April, 1999. He would have been up for re-election this year with his term ending March, 2002. Motion by TeStroete, second by Schilder to accept the resignation of Mark Playman from the board. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Two association members have requested to be appointed to fulfill the remaining terms of Blount and Playman. Blaine Werner and Mark Bennett re-introduced themselves and provided information on their desire to be appointed to the Board. Motion by Schilder, second by Merrill to move into closed session to discuss the appointments. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Moved to closed session.

Motion by Hackett, second by McCarrier to return to open session. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Returned to open session. Motion by TeStroete, second by Hackett to appoint Mark Bennett to fill the un-expired term of Paul Blount. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Bennett’s term to start immediately and end on March 31, 2003. Motion by Teale, second by McCarrier to appoint Blaine Warner to fill the un-expired term of Marc Playman. Ten in favor, one opposed, one abstain. Motion carried. Werner’s term to start immediately and end on March 31, 2002.

Vice President: None

Secretary/Treasurer: None

Executive Director: Hunjadi reported that Service/Corporate membership is up 33% during the past 12 months. This is based on the number of services listed when last year’s conference brochure went to press in late September. Currently 165 organizations are part of the program. With the many developments in the stock market, including the large slide following September 11^th, the association has moved additional funds to cash and changed some mutual funds within the American Funds group. From its highs, the association’s investment portfolio is down over 25%. Currently over 75% of association assets are now in cash. The 2002 premium item will be a trauma scissors with the Wisconsin EMS Association logo. This was the alternate item for 2001. We were previously unable to obtain the scissors within the amount budgeted for these items. However, a new vendor has been able to go overseas to obtain the scissors. Three new sell sheets have been printed as part of conference brochure printing. In addition to appearing in the conference brochure, Hot Sheets, merchandise, and membership sell sheets have been printed.

Conference: Meeker reported on the current status of the conference. Brochures were handed out to the Board. As Meeker discussed the current policy for reimbursement of staff, volunteers and Board members working at the conference, a discussion ensued regarding Board Member reimbursement. Steve Teale feels that with the current strong financial position of the Association, Board members should be provided with more than either the Friday/Saturday conference or one night hotel room. He feels the policy should be changed to include both. Motion by Teale that Board members who work at the main conference (Friday and Saturday) are provided with Friday/Saturday conference tuition, one night lodging and a banquet ticket, to be reimbursed only after working at the conference. Second by TeStroete. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Legislative: Hunjadi reported on the veto by the governor regarding the trauma plan funding. Limited activity is currently taking place on the plan. A bill has been introduced to expand DNR bracelets to include necklaces. Companion bills have been introduced relating to HFS 112. Further discussion and possible action was referred to later in the meeting.

Public Relations Director Position: An ad appeared in the last EMS Professionals regarding the position. One written response and one telephone response is all that has been received. Discussion followed including potential next steps. Hunjadi has concern that with workload increasing during this time of year it may be difficult to find candidates and fill the position until after the conference. Other thoughts and ideas were presented. No action was taken.

2003 Association Cruise: Costa Cruise Line provided a quote for a cruise in the first week of March 2003. Prices were not as attractive as expected. One of the other travel agencies that made proposals for the 2001 cruise re-contacted the association expressing interest in again being allowed to bid. Hunjadi raised concerns regarding the current state of the economy, whether real or perceived, along with the potential for people being afraid to travel outside of the United States. Discussion expanded to include economy concerns for other areas of the association including the conference. Consensus of the Board is to proceed in considering a cruise for 2003.

Paramedic Staffing: Behind the leadership of Senator Judy Robson, with support from Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin (PFFW), companion bills have been introduced in the legislature related to the paragraph in HFS 112 that was opposed. The bills state that Paramedic services starting before January 2000 would be required to staff ambulances with two paramedics, be dispatched from the same location and return together to the original location. The bills would prohibit releasing the second paramedic, regardless of patient condition, but would allow a single paramedic to start care as long as two paramedics have been dispatched on the ambulance. Motion by Hackett that because of the misguided, detrimental, precedence-setting action of the legislature, the Wisconsin EMS Association educate the membership about the gravity of the paramedic law proposal and instruct our lobbyist to work to have the proposal defeated. Second by Allen. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Length of Service Award Program: Mindy Allen reported on the current status of the LOSA program. Hunjadi noted that a feature article on the LOSA program will be included in the November-December EMS Professionals. A question has come to the Association regarding the eligibility of County EMS providers as well as the concern for enough money being available should more volunteers wish to participate. The Association may have to become involved in either issue legislatively should the need arise.

Survey Results: Hunjadi presented the results of the survey provided to Service/Corporate members of the association. The results of the DHFS portion of the survey are also available on the association web site. Information on the group-buying portion of the survey will not be posted online or provided publicly. They will, however, be used in the process for RFPs for the group-buying program. The results have also been provided to MDS Matrx in an effort to help them improve the level of service that they have been providing to our members.

Meetings with DHFS: Meeker reported on the most recent meeting with DHFS. Jon Chapin appeared very interested in the results of the recent survey, which showed very poor performance by the EMS Section in returning messages. The next meeting will take place in November to follow up on changes to improve returned calls/messages from the office as well as begin working on the next topic. Mindy Allen suggested we look at the methods the EMS office uses for creating or using internal policies. The Association has found over a dozen instances where members are being provided different answers to the same or similar questions. It also appears that some employees have been making their own interpretations regarding rules and plans. It was the consensus of the board to use this as the basis of our next meeting with DHFS.

Group Buying Program Contracts: The current contract with MDS Matrx will expire on December 31, 2001. The Association is hoping to further expand the Group Buying Program as well obtain contracts for a two year period rather than one year. Hunjadi suggests that we work to meet face to face with some of the more high profile and useful companies in an effort to expand the services to our members. Motion by Werner to provide RFPs for the 2002-2003 Group Buying Program. Second by Teale. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Medical Director Replacement: Board members were to have provided suggestions for potential new Medical Directors for the Association at this meeting. No one in attendance had any names for candidates. Limited discussion was held. No further action taken.

Statewide Recruitment Project: Hunjadi presented his ideas for a statewide recruitment project. The Association would plan the event and produce a turnkey system for Service/Corporate members to use in recruitment. Depending upon the status of hiring the Public Relations Director, the Association may have to commit funds to hire an ad agency or public relations firm. Hunjadi suggests a working budget of about $10,000. Motion by TeStroete to implement a statewide recruitment program and commit adequate resources to hold a recruitment event on the Wednesday of EMS Week. Second by Allen. All in favor. None opposed. Motion carried.

Opening of HFS 111: The proposed rules for HFS 111 were filed and received about 48 hours prior the board meeting. Hunjadi reports that much of the rule is identical to HFS 110 and HFS 112. He has found a few items that he will bring to the attention of DHFS. If other issues arise they will be handled by the Executive Board.

2002 Meeting Schedule: Discussion was held regarding the dates and locations for the 2002 Wisconsin EMS Association Board of Directors meetings. Board members set, by consensus, the following meeting dates: January 6, 2002 in Milwaukee, April 7, 2002 in Appleton, July 14, 2002 in Stevens Point and October 6, 2002 in Madison. All meetings will be held from 12:00 noon until 5:00 PM.

CPR Training: Tom McCarrier raised the issue of putting CPR training back into the EMT-Basic curriculum by using the new CPR training that now includes AEDs. The current time amount allotted for AEDs in EMT-Basic class could be used also for the CPR. This would result in the training being covered under the FAP funds and may address substandard training that some centers report occurs when it is completed prior to class. Motion by Schilder that DHFS requires healthcare provider CPR, which includes AED training, to be included during the EMT-Basic and First Responder course and refresher and that the AED potion of the health care provider of the CPR course meets the requirement of AED certification at all levels. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Medical Director Sample Contract: It has come to the attention of the association that the Medical Director contract contained on the Resource Kit CD ROM may be provided by the Department of Health and Family Services, EMS Section, to all services/medical directors in Wisconsin. An attorney hired by the Wisconsin EMS Association produced this contract specifically for the Resource Kit. It is a violation of law for anyone who is not a Service or Corporate member of the Wisconsin EMS Association to use the documents contained on the CD. Discussion by Board members on whether we should allow specific documents on the Resource Kit to be used by non-members. Motion by Schultz to not grant DHFS authorization to use the Medical Director Contract, second by Allen. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

Non fire-based EMS: Steve Teale raised the issue of much of the public and many of our elected officials assuming that all EMS is provided by fire-based services. In Wisconsin, less than 50% of the ambulance services are provided by fire-based organizations. An increasing amount of funding is being provided for fire-related issues and to fire departments even though typically 80% or more of emergency calls are for EMS and not fire with many fire departments not providing EMS services. Motion by McCarrier, second by Allen that the Association inform our congressional senators and congressmen of the significant number of EMS Services in Wisconsin and across the nation who are not affiliated with fire departments and are deserving of funding. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.

• Public Relations Director Position – Executive Board
• 2003 Association Cruise – Hunjadi
• November Meeting with DHFS – Executive Board
• Group Buying Program RFPs – Hunjadi
• Association Medical Director Candidates – All Board Members
• State-wide Recruitment Project – Hunjadi
• HFS 111 Rule Response - Hunjadi