·
Meeting called
to order by Johnny Delgado at 1205.
·
Previous minutes accepted by Gwen Howard and seconded
by Karen Chamberlain.
OLD
BUSINESS
* We will begin to use the website (florida-air-medical.org)
to post the minutes of meetings. Please review them and e-mail your
comments/changes. This new procedure is consistent with the bylaws.
* AMTC Report:
A huge thanks goes to Johnny
Delgado, Joe Pearce, and Ken Grimes for all of their hard work in preparation
for AMTC.
Per Johnny: Orlando 2001 was the
best-attended AMTC in AAMS history. 1900 people were in attendance (300
cancel/no shows).
Another huge thanks goes to Bart
Bartkowiak for his enormous effort in working to get approval for exhibit A/C.
Also, a special thanks to AirCare
and Michelle Kenly (Bayflite) for there work on the TNATC course.
We would also like to recognize all
that assisted in being room monitors.
It was noted that the Welcome to Florida
party was a huge success. Thanks Johnny.
Conference locations: Kansas City
(2002), Reno (2003), and Cincinnati (2004)
·
CISM:
There was discussion on the crash that occurred on September 22, 2001 in Enloe, CA. The START team responded to assist.
·
Work is still in progress for a Florida response plan.
·
State Report
from Susan McDevitt:
New quarterly State report does not
include Trauma Transport Protocols.
Legislation for Governor Bush’s
signature is on hold until after a special session is held for re-districting
the State. These pieces of legislation include:
*Air Worthiness Certificate (re:
use of military surplus A/C. FAMA can write their own bill and get sponsors for
support)
*Interfacility
Air Transport
*Broker
Issue
EMS Trust Fund may not be available
next year. Currently, there are grants and funds available and it is
recommended to take advantage of these funds while they exist.
Trauma and Compliance Monitoring:
Sacred
Heart, in Pensacola, is completing its process for Level 2 Trauma Center.
18 site surveys will be done
throughout the State (to include Flight Programs that are linked to these
sites)
Methodology to analyze Trauma
System Cost is in development. The study will include cost from time of injury
(in the field) to rehabilitation.
Trauma Registry is up and running
with 18/20 Trauma Centers reporting.
Inspection process is changing
focus from QA to QI.
* HCFA Update
There is
a name change in progress.
Expect
Medicare payments, based on the new fee schedule, being April 1, 2002.
·
NFPA Update
Dave Zarker (Martin County Fire Rescue) reported that the bylaws are tentatively written, for a FL chapter, and he is attempting to set up a Board made up of representatives from various regions in the state. Their target for completion is Jan 2002.
David Summers stated, once ready,
he would add the NFPA to the FL website.
NEW BUSINESS
·
September 11,
2001:
There is data currently being
collected to determine the financial impact this tragic day has had on our
industry. Already, many programs have noted tremendous increases in their
insurance.
A contingent has gone to
Washington DC to actively pursue grants, loans, and ‘Bail Out’ money for our
industry. The ‘Bail Out’ plan includes “Air Carriers”(which includes FAR 91 and
135) with no reference to ‘scheduled air carriers’. A supplemental plan is
expected in 6 months.
Disaster plan: Join the list (on
the website) to be eligible to access funds if activated.
We are pursuing a link with the
FAA (via the State EMS office) to exempt air medical programs from being
grounded, for patient relief. A progress report is expected at the next
meeting.
·
NBC Training
2 programs have already begun training.
A motion for a subcommittee (for
education) was made by Joe Pearce and seconded by Michelle Kenly. No opposed.
John Scott will head this subcommittee up. Please contact John with any
information you may have.
Jayme Taylor from METI stated the
Human Simulator has already been programmed to show the effects of NBC warfare
and can be used as a part of a training program.
·
Board Reports
FL Pedi/Neo: report by Louise Bowen
(see website for minutes)
FL ASTNA: report by John Scott (see
website for minutes)
AAMS: report by Johnny Delgado
Johnny Delgado has
been named the Region 10 Rep.
Insurance
Increases (as previously noted)
RT’s
wanting their own organization under AAMS.
Advisory Council: report by Walter
Kupka
Temperature
control compliance will be mandatory Feb 2003.
Johnny
will check with the FDA to see if the use of an APU will meet the requirements.
Communication: report by Randy
Pierce
The EMS Communication plan (Volume
II) is out. The EMS Air Transport section has 34 out of 35 programs listed.
The hospital Lat/Long section is
included. Please update Randy prn.
All counties are required to have
the 155.340 frequency available in their Communication Centers.
ARNAV: The Civil Air Patrol informed
the FCC that ARNAV is no longer able to use their frequency (nationwide). Randy
is working on getting another frequency approved for FL.
·
Miscellaneous
Per Randy Pierce: Aviation Safety
and Water Survival Training course is being re-opened in Jacksonville. This
chapter will provide CEU’s via our FBN Provider #.
Johnny is entertaining ideas for
the location of the April 2002 meeting.
The EMS Bureau is collecting data
for their quarterly reports. The first one is due out April 30, 2002.
Jim Howard began a discussion on
HCFA reimbursements, audits, and appropriate transports. He asked for a
position paper from FAMA to promote an educational program for air transport
guidelines and criteria. John Scott and Jim Howard will research this and report
back at the next meeting.
Dave Zarker requested an amendment
to 64E (required equipment list) that would generalize required equipment. This
proposal has backing from the FL Fire Chiefs Association. Susan McDevitt stated
they would be willing to look into the changes.
Dave Zarker motioned for a letter
to be sent to the State with regards to pruning down the equipment list for
rotorcraft. The motion was not seconded.
Thank you to Michelle Kenly for designing
and implementing the sale of FL Association T-shirts. They include: FL Chapter:
ASTNA, Florida Airmedical Association, and FL Neonatal/Pediatric Transport
Nurses Association. There are various sizes of T-shirts and tanks and will be
available to order on the website (in progress) through your local association
officers.
Webpage Update from David Summers:
The webpage is about to be upgraded again. New things will be added so please check it frequently.
(Thank
you David!!!!)
*Next Meeting:
Deerfield Beach, January 16-18, 2002
* Meeting Adjourned
at 1345