River Falls First Responders, Inc.

Board of Directors Meeting Agenda

Monday, February 16, 2004 – 07:00pm

River Falls Ambulance Station

Randy B called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

Members: Randy Beadles, Kelly Ebben, Tim Schreiner, Wes Halvorsen, Jeff Rixmann, Joe Covelli, Kent Christensen, Judy Anderson, Cindy Clement, Mary Waters, Steve Nygaard, and Joseph Raehsler

Members Excused: Dan Gedatus

Members Unexcused:

1) By-Law Amendment/Addition

a) Add terminology regarding authorized use of attorney and other professional services.

Tim S read the by-law amendment. Joe C requested a recommendation from the board to present to the membership at the next business meeting. Joseph R made a motion to accept the wording of the amendment and that the amendment be present to membership, Kelly E second the motion. Discussion followed. Vote taken, motion approved unanimously.

b) Radio/pager frequencies not to be altered with RFFR owned and issued equipment.

Joe C gave his take on topic. Randy B suggested that the amendment include all equipment that the organization has purchased for members. Jeff R will be reprogramming all radios in a month, he will put a lock on all radio frequencies. Tim will put together the wording for the membership. Judy A made a motion to bring Tim’s by-law amendment to the membership at the next business meeting, Kelly E second the motion, Vote taken, motion approved unanimously.

c) Add terminology regarding Officer expectation of duties.

Joseph R stated that for him, being an elected secretary, the organization is stuck with him until his term is up. What happens if the secretary just up and decides not to type up any meeting for about five months, does the organization have in place any process for removing an officer that is not performing the duties of the position? Jeff R stated that RFAAS has set up a paper trail to make sure the legal documentation is in place before any termination can take place. Kelly E will put together the by-law amendment before the next meeting.

2) Pierce County Dispatch and Confusing Radio Traffic

Jeff R suggested stopping the use of “6680” for FR and use the organizational name when communicating with dispatch centers. Jeff R stated that he has spoken to Mike Knoll from PCSO and they are still working on issue. It was learned that at the EMS meeting last week Mike Knoll stated that PCSO did not want any radio traffic from RFFR. To which Jeff R stated that he will be drawing up a letter to Mike Knoll, and the town chairs from River Falls and Clifton, that this is unacceptable and that changes need to be made. Joe C will wait for a copy of Jeff’s letter and then send to members so there is a uniform response from the organization.

3) Drucker Gift

Joe C stated that Dan G has been meeting with Gwen K, the attorney for the organization, on an investment package for the award to be placed into so we are able to utilize the award for years to come. Judy A stated that the money market fund, the award was placed into recently, will come due this Friday February 20. Joe C suggested putting together a committee to work with Gwen and oversee how the award can be invested to best serve the organization. Judy A stated that Westconsin Credit Union has they own financial advisor that maybe able to help us out with this issue. This topic will be brought up at the next business meeting.

4) Joint Operations – Hudson, Prescott, Roberts

Jeff R stated that the joint operations, with Hudson, are ready for Eric C, from St. Croix EMS, to sign and present the joint venture to St. Croix Dispatch Center. Sounds like Prescott is really excited about the idea of mutual aiding RFFR to calls and Baldwin is also looking seriously into mutual aiding RFFRs on their calls in Pleasant Valley township. The question on the board’s mind was how will PCSO handle Prescott mutual aiding RFFRs? Jeff R stated that Roberts has not approached anyone about this issue. Wes H suggested FR attending training at Prescott ambulance, to give Prescott EMS an idea as to what type of equipment RFFR have as well as the training that the organization has. Jeff R suggested that anyone from FR could tag a long with him next month for his presentation he will do for Prescott EMS and then that could slide right into RFFR also.

5) Training – Brandon Johannsen leaving, schedule

Wes H let everyone know that Brandon Johannsen has left RFAAS for a job in South Dakota, and Wes will be again overseeing the training of FR until he is able to have an assistant. Wes also stated that he has a tentative schedule set for the year. The schedule could change when a training topic is needed at the moment. Wes stated that the schedule will be posted on the web page soon. Dr Goblirsh has given Wes the authority to yank the FR license of any responder that is short of training hours. Due to the fact that we all train under Goblirsh medical license and Wes is the training office they have the ability to determine if a responder is well trained to respond to an emergency call. Wes also asked that the board make a recommendation to the membership that RFAAS and RFFR jointly purchase a mannequin that both members are able to use any time they are at the station. The mannequin offers the chance to take a pulse or a blood pressure, oral/nasal airways, and CPR. Mary W made a motion to recommend to the members, at next business meeting, to put forth $1000 and the RFAAS puts forth $1000 to purchase this mannequin, Joe R second the motion. Vote taken, motion approved unanimously.

6) Miscellaneous Topics

a) Calls down.

Jeff R stated that in 2002 the ambulance service had 1,123 calls, in 2003 the ambulance service had 994 calls. So calls were down roughly 150. Jeff stated the calls in Pleasant Valley were at 5, Clifton at 8, Kinnickinnic at 37, River Falls town at 26, and Troy at 40. Randy B stated we need to stress the training to our members, so we all are able to learn the skills needed for the patient instead of learning these skills on scene.

b) Member involvement.

Major discussion about this issue. The board came up with ideas such as a group meal, Halloween party or haunted house with the ambulance, or some team building events.

c) Catch a call.

Randy B stated he would like to see this program start back up with the return of warmer weather. People thought that the lack of involvement from the members as well as not having so many events. Wes suggested if a FR attended a catch a call, then he would count the attendance as 1 hour of training time. Joe C and Randy B suggested bringing this topic up again to the membership at the next meeting.

d) Golf tournament

Joe R explained how this year’s tournament is already costing more than last years. Joe explained that the Class B raffle license, we had last year, will be reapplied for but we will also be applying for a Class A raffle license. The reason is that we will be buying a Green Bay Packer helmet that is sign by Brett Favre and has all the authenticating to go along with it. We will be purchasing raffle tickets from the R F Journal and sell the tickets for $10 a piece. Joe R stated that he would not be requiring the membership to sell a specific number of raffle tickets due to the Krispy Kreme Doughnut event. Joe C thought he could get a piece of equipment from the Minnesota Vikings and Jeff R thought he would also be able to get a piece of apparel from the Kansas City Chiefs. The members present thought that was a good idea. Both Jeff R and Wes H felt that members of the ambulance would likely sell some tickets for us. Judy A wrote out some checks for Joe R for the tournament.

7) Administration Transition: Files, etc.

Jeff R has downloaded the CD, he received from Joe C, onto the web page. That way all master files can be placed there instead of our personal computers. Joe C suggests the organization purchasing financial software, due to the volume of donations that are brought into the organization. Joe C impressed the fact that we, as an organization, need to be diligent to keep the 501.3C classification or Joe felt the organization would have a difficult time with financial papers/documentation/classification. Joe C will put together an organizational calendar and/or task list. That way we will be able to keep on track and not forget to do finish a task that might put our classification at risk.

8) Recommend Purchase of

a) Moulage kit

Joe C stated the United Methodist Church donated $200 and St. Croix Electric has donated $400. So Joe C suggested the board give recommendation to go out and purchase a moulage kit to use for training, we looked at two different models. Steve N made a motion to spend $695 on the more advanced moulage kit, Kelly E second the motion. Vote taken, motion approved unanimously.

b) Sale of radio to RF Utilities and purchase of new radio for Steve Poellinger

Joe C stated that we had a radio that the organization sold to RF Utilities and that the money brought in from that sale will go towards the purchase of a new radio for Steve P. Steve P will be given a radio from the trauma trailer for a month while a new radio is purchased. The radio that will come back from Tim H will be given to Judy A.

9) Member Recognition Program

a) Turn completed forms into Joe Covelli, no later than Feb. 16.

Joe C Mary W and Cheryl P will take care of this program.

b) Issue of recognition monies to individual responders.

Joe C and Judy A will take care of this.

c) Recognition plague program for town halls.

Joe C is still working on this.

10) Open Discussion

Tim S stated he is working on updating our web page. Tim stated that there are still 6 members that have not filled out an inventory form. Seeing the 60 days has passed, he will be placing a new inventory form in the 6 member’s mailboxes. Tim stated that after 90 days anyone not having the inventory form filled out and submitted that responder will be suspended until the responder hands in a finished form. Jeff R stated that there are EMTs that would like to purchase their own medical supplies/equipment and then respond to calls in the rural townships. These individuals do intend on applying to become active members of RFFRs. Jeff R asked how we would like to handle this. The board decided that Randy B would be drawing up a letter in response to these individuals stating the stance of the organization.

11) Adjourn Meeting

Tim S made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Joe C second the motion. Vote taken, motion approved unanimously. Randy B adjourned the meeting at 9:35pm.

12) Move to Closed Session - Personnel Committee

13) Members Short 2003 Training Hours

a) Tim Heineman

b) Zach Ward