Region 1

Mark Harrison

Present

Region 2

Nell Thomas

Absent

Region 3

Jim Inman

Present

Region 4

Josh Wenzel

Present

Region 5

Region 6

Sherman Hockenbury

Present

Region 7

Mark Bailey

Absent

Region 8

Steve Becraft

Absent

Region 9

Terry Fraley

Present

Region 10

Michael Mason

Present

Region 11

Joe Bradshaw

Absent

Region 12

Terry Akin

Present

Region 13

Duane Lee

Present

Region 14

Wendell Hatfield

Present

Region 15

Rodney McKibben

Present

Region 16

Bob Gainer

Present

At Large

Joe Prewitt
David Webb
Charles O’Neal
Jim Duke
Jamey Locke

Absent  
Present
Present
Present
Present

Others Attending

Five others were in attendance.

ITEM

DISCUSSION

ACTION

Call to Order

Joe Bradshaw was not able to attend.  Vice-President Sherman Hockenbury called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm EST.

None needed

Minutes Approval

Motion by Duane Lee and second by Bob Gainer to accept the minutes of the previous meeting.

Motion passed

Treasurer's Report

Jamey Locke presented the report and distributed the financial sheet.  Total cash balance of all accounts is $34,527.72.  Recent expenditures, which are all conference, related appear to be $83,877.44.  These bills will be audited and a final report provided at the next board meeting.  Motion to accept the report by Bob Gainer and second by Jim Inman. 

It was noted that to date, 31 ambulance providers have responded to the membership assessment request.

Motion passed

Old Business

Sherman noted that Medicaid is reimbursing ambulance base rate plus supplies.

None needed

New Business

Brian Bishop offered a KBEMS report. 

KBEMS is considering hiring a physician medical director under a 3-year contract to work on target specific objectives.  These objectives would be accomplished during the next 3 years. 

Mr. Bishop reported that KBEMS needs to be attached (administratively) to something.  Many different areas of government have been looked at including DHS and OEM/Military Affairs.  The board could be attached to KCTCS in a similar fashion as the Fire Commission.  The move could be accomplished either through legislation or by Executive Order.  A lengthy discussion with many questions ensued.  It was noted that organizationally, KBEMS would be under KCTCS and laterally to the Fire Commission.  Following the discussion, Charlie O’Neal made a motion and a second by Terry Akin that KAPA should endorse the move of KBEMS to KCTCS. 

A motion was made by Charlie O’Neal and a second by Jamey Locke that any legislative package pertaining to a KCTCS move/merger, be a completely separate initiative or legislative package. 

EMAC: Providers requesting reimbursement for wages must provide documentation of hours and wages for disaster related time.  For post audit purposes, providers should retain a copy of their payroll report to support the expenditures. 

January 2006: KBEMS would like to have a meeting with providers to critique the EMS response to Rita and Katrina.  Mr. Bishop noted that they are considering ways to develop “EMS Regional Strike Teams” which, could be utilized for in state or out of state mutual aid requests. 

Ambulance License Renewal: Many renewal applications are currently outstanding.  Ambulance licenses will expire on December 31 and must be received by the end of the month. 

Certified and Licensed individuals: Those individuals whose credentials are due to expire December 31, 2005 must get their applications to KBEMS by the end of the month.  EMT’s and Paramedics may NOT work on January 1, 2006 unless they have received their new card. 

Medicaid:  Last year, KBEMS committed $300,000 to be transferred to Medicaid so EMS providers would receive an increase in Medicaid reimbursement.  It was intended to be a one-time deal.  Apparently, the state now believes that this funding level should be available every year in order to maintain ambulance reimbursement rates at the current level. 

Radio Frequency:  155.160 with an open PL tone should be available in all EMS radios.  This open channel could be utilized for mutual aid communications.

Motion passed (unanimous consent)

Motion passed

Upcoming Retirement

Bob Gainer announced that he would be retiring effective August 1, 2006.

Legislative Committee

The legislative committee of KAPA met in November to discuss and review the3 KBEMS legislative package.  The package is essentially the same as the one introduced during the last session.  One change the committee felt was needed was with regard to EMS protocols found in Section 8 of KRS 311A.180.  New language would read as follows:

(1)     Each emergency medical services medical director for an ambulance service, or other emergency medical services provider, shall submit his or her protocols, standing orders, and similar medical control documents to the board. 

(2)     Emergency Medical Services medical directors shall oversee the development of and have the authority to approve protocols for providers for which they serve as medical director.  Licensed emergency medical services providers shall be required to provide a copy of their approved protocol to the board for their records, thirty (30) days prior to the date of implementation.  The board may review submitted protocols to assure compliance with the approved scope of practice for each discipline.  Issues regarding inappropriate medical practice shall be referred to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure for review.

Motion by David Webb and second by Terry Fraley to endorse the KBEMS legislative package with the above revision.

KBEMS is scheduled to meet on December 8, 2005 to vote on the same.

Motion passed.

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn at 3:30 pm CST by Terry Akins and second by David Webb.

Motion passed