Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
December 5, 2013
Location:Â Shoney’s – Lebanon, TN
President Graham called the meeting to order at 10:11 a.m. CST
Board Members in attendance: Chad Graham, Andrew Reed, Keith Douglas, Rick Valentine, Brandon Ward, Joe Rike, Doug McQuary, Tommy Crowder, Ricky Slack, John Fitzsimmons, Wallace Elliott, Lis Henley, and John Combes
Board Members not in attendance: Danny Houseright and Joyce Noles
Other present: Tim Booher (AirEvac Lifeteam), Glynn Mooney (AirEvac Lifeteam), Robert Byrd (AirEvac Lifeteam), Donna Tidwell (State EMS), Chip Cook (State EMS), Lynn Thompson (Maury Regional EMS), Andrew Hart (Memphis Fire), Pam Kiestler (Memphis Fire) and Charles Schneider (Congressman Diane Black’s Office)
Previous meeting minutes:Â Minutes of the November meeting were approved.
President’s Report: Discussion of adding vendor logos/links to TASA web site.
Lynn Thompson presented discussion on TEMSEA’s promotion of a EMS state license plate. President Graham suggested putting a committee together to meet with TEMSEA.
Treasurer’s Report: Report approved.
State EMS:Â Donna Tidwell reported:
Waiting on Secretary of State to sign of on rule for equipment and AEMT
Clinical Issues committee sending proposal to State Board to have future equipment/supply changes approved in December but not implemented until the following June. This would allow services time to make necessary adjustments.
State Board will be reinstating the Ambulance Committee
Out-of-state distance learning requirements are being reviewed
AEMT on-line course will be live next week as beta testing is complete. Instructions will be placed on the State EMS web site. There are known issues with the new version of Internet Explorer (IE) browser. No issues found when using Google Chrome or Firefox browsers. Links have been placed on State EMS web site to download Google Chrome and Firefox.
Reviewing adding an Air Medical Strike Team for TN to be utilized for EMAC’s and State resource needs.
Trying to establish minimal requirements for EMS Medical Directors.
Trying to apply for Rural Health Grant to fund a focus group for community paramedicine.
NAEMT: John Fitzsimmons discussed the replacement of NAEMT’s legislative web resource with EnGage (link has been placed on the TASA web site). National Day on the Hill (Washington D.C.) is March 26, 2014 with a briefing on March 25. For details go to NAEMT.org or click here. President Graham updated board members on the NAEMT Day on the Hill and travel arrangements.
Mid-Winter Conference: Lis Henley offered discussion on the new sponsorship program. Motion by Joseph Rike – 2nd by John Combes to accept the new Sponsorship Program - motion passed. Lis advised that the conference brochure was expected to be ready next week and the Awards Program would also be on the web site within a few days.
Legislative:Â Andrew Reed discussed the top 4 priorities for the 2014 Legislative session:
1. TennCare – looking at a 2.5% cut (or more)
2. Community Paramedicine
3. TCRS – the early retirement is a federal issue / TASA will be supporting the Sherrif’s Association in allowing TCRS retirees to work 210 days during a year at a TCRS contributor. Currently this is limited to 120 days (900 hours).
4. restructuring of the EMS Board
The legislative committee is also working on details for EMS Day on the Hill (Nashville, TN). More details to come.
Audit/Budget:Â no report
Bylaws:Â none
Old Business:Â none
New Business:
Motion by Ricky Slack – 2nd by John Combes to explore the possibility of purchasing a booth for display at the EMS World Expo. Motion passed.
President Graham offered that budget is in good shape – actually have a small surplus.
The next Board meeting will be January 9th at Ryan’s Restaurant in Lebanon – 405 S Cumberland St, Lebanon, TN 37087
The meeting was adjourned at 12:24 p.m. CST