February 4, 2003

Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m.

Members present: Joe Covelli, Dan Gedatus, Tim Heineman, Julie Powell, Randy Beadles, Steve Nygaard, Mary Waters, Cindy Clement, Jeff Rixmann, Joe Raehsler

Members excused: John Parson

Members unexcused:

1. Role and Responsibilities

Joe C placed a form in each town captain’s mail box to be fill out to keep track of equipment and any areas in the respective towns where there might be a void for coverage. Dan G reminded everyone that if we are planning on being gone 2-3 days or more, responders should be notifying their town captain.

2. Recap 2002

a) Financial Summary

Joe C provided a summary of money raised and spent in 2002. The report will be distributed to the rest of the membership at the next business meeting.

b) Equipment Purchased

The organization will be purchasing ten oxygen kits with money donated from The Bayport Foundation. There is funding still needed for radios and pagers.

c) Call Total By Town Area, Motor Vehicle Accidents

Jeff R provided a comparison of calls each township has had between 2001 and 2002. There seems to be a higher number of motor vehicle accidents in the towns, and he felt our organization should try to set up training for those types of calls

3. Staffing

a) Review of Existing Staffing, Additional Staffing

RIVER FALLS: Mary W. will be meeting with Janet Huppert to discuss east side residents as possible candidates for First Responders. If there is a need there could be a First Responders course scheduled at CVTC this fall. Dan G. felt we are at a staffing point where we can start picking candidates from certain areas of each township.

KINNI/PLEASANT VALLEY: Steve N. felt responders are covering the township well.

TROY: Cindy C. felt that she could use someone by the river and Troy Bourne.

CLIFTON: Randy B. could use people in the southwest corner of the township.

AMBULANCE: Jeff R. had concern for the southwest corner of Clifton and the eastern part of River Falls Township. River Falls Ambulance’s service area has been extended further south in the Town of Clifton. This would include Kinnic State Park. Randy or Jeff would be getting a hold of the ranger at the State Park to discuss access to the park for an emergency either at the park or on the St. Croix River. Jeff also felt that Joe R. should be redirected from River Falls Township to help cover the Town of Troy.

b) Sue Heineman Training Reimbursement

The organization has received reimbursement of $170 from Sue Heineman. There will always be an open invitation for Sue to return to the organization. Upon her return she will be paid $110 of the original reimbursement.

c) Personal Protection of Staff on Calls (Workman’s Comp, Scene Safety)

It was decided that the organization would look into Workman’s Comp coverage. Currently responders have limited coverage from the city, which does not include lost wages. Jeff will be contacting Jan Linehan to explore insurance options for the organization. Joe C. will be contacting Bill Salior at Wausaw Insurance.

The group is considering the use of safety cones and bigger flashlights, as they would be beneficial for directing traffic away from the scene.

4. Training

Julie P. was appointed Training Officer for the organization.

a) Training Topics

Jeff felt motor vehicle accidents would be a good topic for training. He also suggested incident command training. Cindy suggested blood pressure and CPR training as well as air bottle changing for fire fighters. It has also been brought up that First Responders should look at an additional night of training each month. Joe C. asked the town captains to bring it up at then next business meeting with their membership. June will be a double training month in preparation for River Falls Days.

5. Current Equipment

a) Equipment currently issued by Town Area, Responder

RIVER FALLS: Two radios, two oxygen kits, and one AED.

KINNI/PLEASANT VALLEY: Two radios, four oxygen kits and two AEDs.

TROY: Two radios, one oxygen kit and one AED.

CLIFTON: One radio, one oxygen kit and one AED.

b) Issuing New or Reallocating Equipment, Day/Night Balance Required

Joe C. asked the town captains to balance the equipment in their town and to redirect equipment if needed. He also asked that each captain contact their town boards about their purchase of AEDs for 2003.

6. Financial Support

a) Discuss additional Equipment Purchases

The organization will be purchasing ten oxygen kits with the money donated from the Bayport Foundation. Funding is still needed for two-way radios and pagers.

b) Funding Sources

Joe C. suggested that the fundraising committee try to hold only two to three fundraisers per year.

7. Department Relationships

a) River Falls Ambulance

Jeff informed the group that the EMTs appreciate the help of the First Responders. He felt that we need to work on the number of responders on scene, but he felt incident command would help out with this. The EMTs have had Responders rid with to the hospital. In the case of an “all call” all Responders are to report to the ambulance shed. An issue came up with the “all call” and people in class. It was reported that when Responders receive an “all call”, they are to leave their class and respond accordingly. Nextel phones in the ambulance are still in the learning stages for the EMTs. Jeff stated that it is difficult for the EMTs to hear the direct connect tones from the phones and suggested that Responders just start talking and the EMTs will respond. He suggested that if you have a radio you should use it, although when giving patient updates use the St. Croix private channel.

b) River Falls Fire Dept.

Joe C. will be meeting with officers to discuss equipment and personnel.

c) Dispatch Centers, Sheriffs Depts.

Dispatch is relying on the responders to utilize their maps instead of giving directions for calls over the radio.

d) Mutual Aid Agreements other EMS Organizations

First Responders DO NOT respond on mutual aid calls.

8. Open Discussion

- Mary and Kathy attended a class on infant/child safety seats. They will be coordinating a monthly program for the area. They asked to use the ambulance shed phone number as a contact number for anyone wishing to utilize this service. They will be looking at area dealerships or the ambulance shed to house the program.

- Joe C. would like the group to consider becoming a member of the Wisconsin EMT Association. This is a state organization of 5,100 members. It costs $18 per person to join. The benefits of joining this organization are the discounts you receive on purchased medical equipment. It was felt by the group that this topic should be brought up to the whole organization at the next business meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.