Wisconsin EMS Association
Board of Directors Meeting
September 28, 2008
Present: Allen, Barker, Carey, Erickson, Hunjadi, Klis, McCarrier, Meeker, Schindler, VanBuren
Notified Absent: Averbeck,
Guests: Paul Wolf, Donna Becher
Meeting called to order by President Meeker at 10:03 AM
Motion by Schindler second by Klis to approve the meeting minutes from July 2008. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried
President: Meeker reported on the status of the state strategic plan. Several drafts have been completed. Meeker expressed concerns on behalf of WEMSA with the document in its latest format. However, the EMS Board has approved and endorsed the draft and it appears to be moving ahead with general release.
Vice President: Allen spoke about the James O Page award nominations that are again open. The Wisconsin EMS Association qualifies for the award under the guidelines laid out. She submitted an application last year and asked if she should do so again. Consensus of the board members was to apply again this year. Allen will complete the application and submit it.
Secretary/Treasurer: Discussion was held about regarding audits (internal or external). No final decision was reached but consensus is to complete an internal audit after moving into the new building in early 2009.
Executive Director: Hunjadi provided information about the magazine column syndication program that has been offered to several other state EMS associations. These associations would pay WEMSA for the right to print three columns and one feature in each of their newsletter issues. Total cost per issue is $500. A portion of the fee will go to the authors. Channel 12 in Milwaukee has donated an old on air news desk set along with half a dozen overhead studio lights. These will be used in the new building video studio. A complete used video equipment package has been purchased from a video company in Florida. The professional grade equipment includes four Sony 3 chip cameras (three studio tripod mounts and one hand held), camera control units, a Grass Valley 110 switcher, five pre-view video monitors, cables, camera remotes, and several road cases. Total retail cost of the equipment when it was new in 1995 was about $75,000. WEMSA purchased everything for $6,000. The equipment will be used both in the new studio as well as at the conference to provide multi camera live video projection at the keynote and general sessions. This could also be recorded for potential distribution if we work out the terms with the speakers. Hunjadi will be creating a subsidiary division, much like the conference division, to provide media services to outside the association. We are already providing some of these services and that will likely expand in the new building. Plans also include the ability to offer web design, print design, equipment rentals, studio and conference room rental, etc. to members at reduced rates. While everything will still operate under the Wisconsin EMS Association, marketing for the new services will be under EMS “Emergency Media Services.” This way EMS can stand for Emergency Media Services to those who use that service from us and the traditional Emergency Medical Services for all others. Meeker suggested obtaining a web address under the new name. Schneider has already checked and found the domains previously reserved by someone else.
Sales and Customer Service Director: Nothing
Conference: Meeker provided the latest conference updates. Brochure samples in their near final draft form were presented to the board for their input and suggestions. Brochures are on schedule for release by October 15. Hunjadi and Hood will attend the EMS Expo conference in Las Vegas to promote the conference. The line up contains more hands on sessions than in previous years.
2009 Cruise: With Iowa and North Dakota onboard we are up to a total of 160 cabins for the 2009 EMS Cruise. Hunjadi and Hood will staff a booth at EMS Expo in Las Vegas to promote the cruise. 5,000 cruise brochures have been printed by WEMSA and will be used at the conference as well as sent to Iowa and North Dakota for promotion to their members. Two ¼ ads will run in EMS Magazine for November and December to promote the cruise on a national basis. This is designed to work along with the national exposure at the EMS Expo. Second payments will be due November 1.
OLD BUSINESS
NAEMT Affiliation: Discussion was held on whether or not to affiliate with NAEMT following the presentation from their executive director at the July meeting. With all of their changes in structure, there does not seem to be very much down side, cost or requirements from WEMSA. Motion by Carey second by Schindler to affiliate with NAEMT. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
WEMSA Training Center: Barker provided her report on the status of the training center operational plan. We still need to identify someone to act as the I/C for the center. Discussion arose with the potential to have board member McCarrier fulfill this role. Other discussion was held. Barker hopes that we will be able to submit the document to DHS by the end of the year.
Building Updates: Hunjadi provided the latest information on the office building construction. The WEMSA web site has been regularly updated with the latest photos and information on the construction. He hopes that the majority of the exterior will be completed in time for the November board meeting that will include a building tour.
National Scope of Practice: Hunjadi reported the latest information from Brian Litza at the state EMS office. According to Litza all of the levels in Wisconsin will remain the same under the new scope of practice. Wisconsin will adopt the new titles of Emergency Medical Responder, EMT, Advanced EMT, EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic. Due to the fact that there will not be an appropriate test offered at the current EMT-Intermediate level by NREMT, that level could have educational classes go away. Those services at the EMT-Intermediate level would be allowed to continue operations until such time as they no longer have enough staff. These services would have to send members through EMT-Paramedic school in place of the EMT-I course. Board members expressed concern that the Wisconsin response to the new scope seems to be constantly changing, making it difficult for services to plan for the future. Motion by VanBuren to create a position statement advocating our points for the scope of practice changes. Second by McCarrier. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Recognition for Retiring Board Members: This subject was tabled for lack of information
2009 Legislative Initiatives: Board members held discussion on various potential legislative initiatives for the 2009-2010 session. Following the vote at the annual meeting regarding the license fees, a motion was made by VanBuren second by Allen to have legislation introduced to prohibit DHFS from charging any individual or ambulance service a fee for their license. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. The other potential items including volunteer job protection, gasoline tax rebates, the TRIP program, and affinity license plates were discussed. Motion by Allen, Second by VanBuren to obtain additional input from the membership to identify those legislative initiatives for the next session. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Forbes McIntosh, the lobbyist for the Wisconsin EMS Association for the past ten years has opened his own lobbying firm and is no longer affiliated with Broderick and Associates. Hunjadi met separately with both Bill Broderick and with McIntosh – both of whom have offered to continue serving the association at the current rate and parameters. Due to the long standing relationship with McIntosh including the fact that state legislators know him as the WEMSA lobbyist, Hunjadi and Meeker strongly recommend staying with him. Motion by Carey second by Schindler to retain Forbes McIntosh as the lobbyist for the Wisconsin EMS Association. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Process for Vacated Board Positions: Allen provided her first draft of procedures to follow in the event of open board positions outside of a regular election. Comments were provided. She will bring a new draft to the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Brenda Averbeck Resignation: Brenda Averbeck was notified by the governor’s office that she has been appointed to the state EMS Advisory Board. Unfortunately, she no longer believes that she has the time to commit to either the EMS Advisory Board or the Wisconsin EMS Association. She assures board members that there are no other problems at play. Her reason for resignation is simply based on time commitments. Motion by Klis, second by Barker to accept the resignation of Averbeck. All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried.
Proposed Rule Changes for HFS 110-112: Several board members reported on the status of the proposed rule changes for all EMS levels. In speaking with Litza, Hunjadi reports that they will first hold a series of Town Hall Meetings. This will be prior to the required public hearings. At a Town Hall forum they will be allowed to engage in dialog with the EMS community. The public hearings are only to receive comment and are not allowed for discussion. Litza hopes to schedule the Town Hall meetings by the end of 2008.
Motion to adjourn by McCarrier second by Klis All in favor, none opposed. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 2:11 PM.