Meeting Minutes
September 4, 2002
Squads In Attendance: |
Atlantic Health System Representatives
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Meeting called to order at 8:05 p.m. by President Sue Meyer.
Pat Gabriel and Dr. Itzcovitz said it would be approximately 4-6 weeks before the entry way would be changed. Once the changes start, there will be a guard posted to assist with getting the squads into the ER. Once the main door is closed, there will be only one way in for both squad personnel/stretchers and walk-ins into the ER. There will be protection from the elements (rain, snow) and lighting as this process progresses.
No report from Gareth. Howie Meyer questioned the ALS dispatch protocols being used i.e. seizure protocol. Dan Sullivan expressed a concern also about dispatching ALS to calls of chest pain in males under the age of 30. Bill Faust checked what's on the guide cards. ALS should not be called for seizures if patient has a history of seizures; if no history, ALS should be called. Several of the squads mentioned that their dispatchers were told that if ALS were not called for on the guide cards and they dispatched ALS to a scene (and if the ALS unit were to get into a traffic accident while enroute to such a call) the person dispatching would be liable. Bill will have Gareth contact Sue Meyer with answers to the questions.
Frank Goodstein was not here, but Howie Meyer reported that there were some changes going on in the State Police (unknown what exactly.)
Dan Sullivan brought up the Jersey City Concert for those squads who were at Liberty State Park on 9/11/2001 and asked that the appropriate squads RSVP and attend. Dan also advised there was going to be a Union County Captains meeting on 9/16 at 7:00p.m. Also that on 9/20 from 8:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on 9/21 there will be an honor guard/military presence at the 9/11 Memorial in Westfield. Any squad members can participate. See Dan. The ceremonies in Berkeley Heights, New Providence, and Springfield for 9/11 were also mentioned.
Bill Faust handed out the Stroke CD to each attending squad and asked that your squad personnel review it. He said there were three EMT basic classes currently running; the CEU programs are in place and to please utilize them for your monthly training meetings. There are five new medic students and eight new medics starting this evening. Sue Meyer mentioned the sudden cancellation of the Union County College Saturday EMT program. Bill was unaware of the details, but would try to find out why.
Eric Martin from Central Jersey Tech spoke about the search and rescue courses and that the State Training Fund will only provide $55 towards the class fee; the rest must be paid by the student/squad. He reminded us that they have a Kids Safety Program. Contact Eric for more info.
Howie Meyer brought up several points on pending legislation and the fact EMS is always getting lost when it comes to news articles, the press, etc. We need to keep EMS in the public's eye.
Wednesday, November 13, 2002 at 8:00 p.m. in the fifth floor conference room at Overlook.
Meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sue Meyer
President