Minutes 01/08/1997 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE ADVISORY COUNCIL
(EMSAC)
INFORMAL MINUTES
January 8, 1997
3:00 P.M.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
HEALTH BUILDING
3301 East Tamiami Trail
Council Bob Laird Excused Members: Sheldon Reed
Members: Faye Biles Sharon Hanlon
Paul Gunther-Mohr Roger Evans
Mike Davis
Tim Smith
Palma Fuson
Rhona Saunders
Gary Young
Bob Schank
Others: Diane B. Flagg
Ed Dwyer
Peter Bolton
Paul Hurd
Brian Swindale
John Poczynski
Paul Curtis
Barbara Brown
The regular monthly meeting of the Collier County EMSAC committee was called
to order at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday January 8, 1997 by Bob Laird, Chairman.
HELICOPTER OPERATIONS
Bob Laird introduced Peter Bolton, Chief Pilot, to the EMSAC committee, and
thanked him for letting the committee visit the facility and taking the time to come
in off duty and explain Helicopter Operations.
Peter Bolton went over the operations of Helicopter Operations and the Flight
Medics. The average transports for the summer months is 78 flights, in the winter
the average jumps to 140 a month. Night flights have increased from 15% to
25%. For night time emergencies Medic 11, 12, 6 & 7 all utilize Medic Flight. A
water rescue was just successfully completed, where a paramedic jumped into the
water while the aircraft hovered over the water vessel. There have been two
major downtimes recently, one to the installation of the 800 MHZ radio and the
helicopter was just recently repainted after five years of service. The flights to Ft.
Myers have dropped off recently due to the addition of the heart surgery unit at
Naples Community Hospital. Palma Fuson, Naples Hospital representative said
they had just completed the 101st heart surgery.
Helicopter Operations is comprised of 4 pilots and 9 Flight Medics, and the
quarters for Medic 2 with 2 - 3 medics/shared with the pilots, the Sheriff's
Helicopter and mechanic. Two flight medics are utilized from 8:30 a.m. until
7:00 p.m. 1 Flight Medic goes to Medic 2 and 1 part timer goes off duty.
The Immokalee incident was briefly discussed as this incident is still under
investigation.
Mike Davis wanted to know if Flight Medics are required to have different
certifications than paramedics? Brian Swindale stated a 32 hour Aero Medical
Course must be completed, more experience is helpful, and a Flight Medic is
required to know a few different medications, due to air pressure.
OLD BUSINESS - No old business to discuss
NEW BUSINESS - Mike Davis requested a quarterly report from the Billing
Department, does not have to be an in-depth report.
Rhona Saunders was working in the Emergency Room Friday, December 27,
1996, and 8 patients (trauma) all came in from the same accident. She felt the
scene was chaotic with no procedure in place, felt a lack of communication.
Diane Flagg stated there is Protocol in place for EMS. Palma Fuson from NCH
said she would look into the NCH Protocol.
Bob Laird, Chairman, asked the committee if they would like to meet at the
Sheriffs Office Dispatch Center for the February meeting. Everyone was in
agreement. Diane Flagg will make the arrangements.
Meeting adjourned.