HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 07.26.2010 MINUTES
EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE
JULY 26,2010 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Members Present: Doug Poehls Chuck Dickerson
Emelie Eaton Pat Kimmet
Dick Fritzler
Others Present: Bill Sheridan Jan Faught
Chairman Doug Poehls opened the meeting by explaining the items on the agenda.
He stated at the last meeting of July 12, 2010 he made a motion to approve the minutes of June
28, 2010. He mistakenly thought they had been distributed by e-mail. He asked for a motion to
rescind that motion that was passed. A motion was made by Chuck Dickerson and seconded by
Emelie Eaton. Motion passed unanimously.
Doug stated that a motion was needed to accept the minutes of June 28, 2010 and July 12, 2010.
A motion was made by Chuck Dickerson and seconded by Emelie Eaton. Motion passed
unanimously.
Medical Director
Jan handed out information that she found online from the Department of Labor& Industry. The
Montana Board of Medical Directors requires medical direction at every level of EMT beyond
the Basic EMT (including endorsements). Jan referred to the list of requirements and said that
within six months of taking on the responsibilities as an EMT off-line medical director, a
physician or physician assistant shall complete a board specified training program. She said at
an earlier date she had a physician secured for the position and it didn't seem to matter that he
didn't have time to take the test within six months. This physician lost interest in being a
medical director for the city when the mayor had not approved a letter of assurance to pay for
their liability insurance coverage.
Emelie asked regarding the purpose of a having a medical director. Jan said that now the
ambulance department is running under the state protocols and when there is a medical director
we are running under their liability insurance. A medical director may authorize certain
advanced life support procedures, including administration of drugs. Jan says some medical
directors aren't too involved and it depends how much time they want to give towards the
department.
There was discussion on the city finding a medical director. Bill sent out letters stating that the
City of Laurel Emergency Medical Service is in need of a Medical Director. A suggestion was
made to find a doctor from a neighboring town which has a hospital, such as Columbus or Red
Lodge. Jan said she hadn't heard from anyone that may be interested. Jan and other ambulance
attendants had told the committee members at an earlier meeting that they had secured two
different physician medical directors. She said she knows Dr. Bush is the medical director for
other small towns around the area.
Emelie asked about the timeframe for finding a medical director. Jan mentioned the state had
said it would give a period of a year to find a medical director in order to be licensed as an ALS
(Advanced Life Support) service. She said a timeframe approximately started April 2010 when
they had a physician interested. Emelie suggested that the city needs to keep working on this
before it gets into a time crunch.
It was suggested that the committee invite Dr. Louis, AMR Director, to attend one of the
monthly meetings. There was discussion on providing an incentive for a physician to be a
medical director for the city. She said that maybe local businesses could be asked for donations
to help with collecting the $5,000.00. Bill was asked if the city would be able to provide the
amount of$5,000.00 for an incentive. It was decided that the amount of$5,000.00 usually is the
amount provided. Bill said the city could come up with the amount to get a medical director.
Most of the doctors would need to carry the additional liability insurance.
It was suggested that the city provide the $5,000.00 for liability insurance. Chairman Poehls
asked for a motion to recommend to the Budget/Finance Committee to budget $5,000.00 in the
city budget to provide for a medical director for the City of Laurel ambulance. A motion was
made by Chuck Dickerson and seconded by Pat Kimmet. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Neva Hall