Present: Hunjadi, Merrill, Teale, Zurbuchen, McCarrier, TeStroete, Weir, Schilder, Meeker, Madigan,
Excused Absent: Kurtz, Victorson
Absent with less than 48-hour notice: Becker, Hellman-Bulle, Menzel

Meeting called to order by Vice President Meeker at 12:00 noon

Past meeting minutes reviewed. Motion by Madigan, Second by Schilder to accept minutes. All in favor. Motion carried.

OFFICER REPORTS

President's Report - None

Vice President's Report - None

Secretary - None

Executive Manager - Hunjadi reported that seven sets of nomination forms for the board of directors have been requested and mailed. Current board members that have terms expiring are Kurtz, McCarrier, Merrill, Teale, and Victorson. A Zip drive was purchased for the desk-top publishing computer due to increasing problems with the removable optical drive. Over 25 orders have been received for merchandise. The half price membership offer has been provided to 36 members out of 630 individual renewals (6%)

Association Secretary - Cilvia has given notice that she will have a limited amount of time available in November, and will be seeking full-time employment, and leaving the association, at the beginning of next year. Hunjadi recommends that we retain her through the conference and attempt to train a new employee at that time. November work-load will be shifted to accommodate her request for a limited amount of hours.

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION REPORTS

CONFERENCE DIVISION
Working Together In EMS - Meeker provided a current update for the conference. Brochures are on target for release in mid-October,
although as in the past, the state EMS office is having a problem providing us with a database file of current EMTs. A complete brochure will also be on the internet along with a printable registration form. The Grand Milwaukee Hotel will may or may not have completed their name change by the conference. Most hotel rooms are already booked for Friday.

CQI Workshop - The second Continuous Quality Improvement workshop with PSOW is Set for March 20, 1999 at the Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton. Dr. Polski will again be the presenter.

LEGISLATIVE/LOBBYIST
First Responder Legislation - Motion by Teale, second by Schilder that the association forward a memo to Rep. DuWayne Johnsrude that rules be drafted to parallel the EMT-Basic and EMT-Basic ambulance service to certify and or license first responders in Wisconsin. All in favor, none opposed. Hunjadi will forward the memo to the lobbyist using the points outlined in the association position statement.

Length of Service Awards - The state Fire Chief's association has been successful in having a bill drafted to provide length of service pension awards for volunteer fire fighters. Information on Length of Awards Legislative Reference Bureau draft was provided. Motion by Schilder second by Merrill that WEMSA enter into discussion with the Fire Chiefs and Fire Fighters regarding this bill and future legislation that we may work on in an effort to better coordinate these activities and provide a more cohesive effort - All in favor. None opposed.

Public Access Defibrillation - We have identified a legislator that is interested in introducing legislation. Motion by Madigan, second by Teale to move forward with legislation if American Heart is not going to move forward. All in favor. None opposed.

OLD BUSINESS

EMT-I & EMT-P Curriculum Letter - Our letter requesting the EMS Board and EMS Section review and make recommendations on the implementation of the new paramedic and intermediate curriculums has been acknowledged. The paramedic review groups are close to a recommendation. It does not appear that any significant work has been completed on an EMT-I curriculum review.

One Paramedic Pilot - The association has had discussion with Wisconsin Dells Ambulance to potentially pilot a one paramedic ambulance service. The medical director for the service was not in favor of a one paramedic project. Further correspondence with the service appeared to request a meeting to in essence "sell them" on the project.
Consensus was to resume discussion with Wisconsin Dells, but only if they are interested in pursuing the project, not to convince them to pursue the project.

Conference Reimbursement - Conference tuition for board members working the conference has been paid for in the past. The question was raised if these workers could have hotel rooms paid for instead of conference tuition. Question by Madigan on why all board members could not be given free hotel rooms. Meeker sited cost of a hotel room versus the benefit to the association. Motion by Madigan, second by McCarrier that expenses of banquet for board members that work the conference be covered by the association, along with one night's hotel stay OR Friday/Saturday conference registration. Second by McCarrier. All in favor, none opposed.

NEW BUISNESS

Trans 309 changes - Board members reviewed line by line changes in proposed Trans 309 The Board will request the following changes to the proposed rules:
Oppose requirement to maintain paperwork for equipment records
Oppose requirement for radio communication with medical control away from the ambulance
Delete requirement for 3 foot tubing on portable suction
Require every "in-service" ambulance to carry epinephrine and advanced airway
Question need for 50 4x4 pads
Oppose pediatric traction splint
Change wording for ALS latex free items
Oppose pediatric stethoscope on a paramedic ambulance
The executive manager is directed to develop a response and testify to these items at the public hearing.

FAP Funding - Discussion on proposed changes in the FAP funding formula. Motion by Madigan, second by Zurbuchen that WEMSA support a funding formula change whereby all services would receive an increase in initial funding but would not receive free training - instead allowing the ambulance service to decide on how to use the additional training dollars. Nine in favor one opposed. Motion by Schilder, second by Merrill that WEMSA form a position statement that strongly opposes any grant process for FAP funding instead supporting equal distribution of any dollars versus the grant process. All in favor, none opposed.

25th Anniversary of the Association - The Wisconsin EMS Association will celebrate 25 years of service, 1974-1999. Discussion of items to call attention to the 25th year of operation. Look at stickers for envelopes, pins, window acetates, mugs, letterhead.

Part Time Care Position - Teale provided a draft of a statement that would support rules allowing the delivery of part-time advanced life support at the EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic levels. Two clear sides were presented by board members in favor and opposed to this proposal. Lengthy discussion continued including reference to association vote taken in survey in 1995 where 53% of membership surveyed were against the concept. No action or vote was taken at this time.

Service/Corporate Sampler Packs - Hunjadi explained the concept of the sampler packs. He hopes to be able to ship before the end of the year. No action taken or required.

1999 Premium Item - Discussion on the 1999 membership premium item. Hunjadi presented a name tag that could be created for members containing the association logo, their name, and their level of training. Board members were concerned about the amount of members that already have a name tag or would not be able to use the item. Discussion was then held to identify a different premium item. Motion by Teale second by McCarrier that the 1999 premium be a 25 year lapel pin. 9 in favor, 1 opposed.

Computer Purchase - The association lap-top (a 486/66) has had a hard drive failure. The computer in working condition is worth about $400. Hunjadi suggests not repairing the machine and recommends purchase of a new Pentium II, 266 MHz lap-top. Motion that a replacement lap top computer be purchased with a budget of $2,000 plus tax with 50% of the expense from the conference budget and 50% from the association budget. All in favor, none opposed

Officer Elections - Motions were opened to the floor for the office of President. Nominated are Richard Meeker & Mark Madigan. Nominations were then closed. A paper ballot was completed. Results are 6 for Meeker, 4 for Madigan. Motions were opened for the office of Vice-President. Nominated were Dan Kurtz and Mark Madigan. Nominations were then closed. Results are 7 for Madigan, 3 for Kurtz. Nominations were then opened for the office of secretary/treasurer. Nominated are Larry TeStroete and Mark Zurbuchen. Nominations were then closed. Results are 8 for TeStroete 2 for Zurbuchen. Motion by Schilder, second by Teale to destroy the ballots. All in favor.

Board Member Accountability - Schilder brought forth the concern of board member accountability. Several members have been absent for consecutive meetings without any notification to the office. Bylaws article 6.2 states that members can be removed for cause by a 2/3 vote of the board of directors. Motion by Schilder, second by Zurbuchen to begin the process for Susan Menzel and Brenda Hellman-Bulle to both be removed from the board of directors for lack of attendance at meetings. All in favor, none opposed. Notice will be given to both individuals that a closed session vote will be taken at the November meeting and that both board members are requested to attend.

State Ambulance Run Form - Madigan brought forth concern that there is no line on the new ambulance run form for the service's name. He will contact the state EMS office to see if a line can be added and recommends that either EMS Professionals or the Hot Sheet contain a reminder that services need to put their ambulance service name on the run form.

Motion by Teale, second by Schilder to adjourn. All in favor, none opposed. Meeting adjourned at 4:35 PM

Action Items:

Memo on First Responders - Hunjadi
Meeting with Fire Chiefs Association - Executive Board
One Paramedic Pilot - Meeker
Trans 309 position and testimony - Hunjadi
Lap-Top computer purchase - Hunjadi