KBEMS may have their own building within 4-5 months

By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection

FRANKFORT — The Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services may soon have their own building, but you might not want to drive an ambulance there when you visit.

Brian Bishop, KBEMS' executive director, told the board at their monthly meeting this afternoon that all bids for the new location have been received and the lowest price was for the McClure Building. 

"As far as I know right now, we will be going to this building," Bishop said.

Bishop explained that the board has to accept the lowest bid. "This is out of our hands by regulation and statute," Bishop explained.

The McClure Building is located in downtown Frankfort on the corner of St. Clair and Main. Aside from street parking, the only other parking option is a nearby public parking garage which has a low clearance that prevents taller vehicles -- such as ambulances -- from using it.

The board also delayed selecting a new EMS for Children Project Manager.

After a lengthy closed executive session Search Committee chairman Judge Anthony Stratton said they "have concerns with the board starting a new EMS-C program." Stratton said that before making any decision the board would like to see course rosters from classes held under the previous grant, a list of teaching activities, a list of instructors that assist with the program, and an equipment inventory.

The committee reported last month that they had received four applications for the position and would make a recommendation to fill the position at today's meeting. Three applicants were reportedly interviewed earlier today. One applicant has withdrawn from consideration.

The position would be funded by a $300,000 federal grant that provides salaries, equipment and travel for pre-hospital pediatric education over a three year period ($100,000 each year). 

In other action:

• The board approved modification to Senate Bill 66 grant awards from the 1999 - 2000 award period.
  • Whitley County EMS was approved to spend $21,557 on equipment. The grant had been awarded to the county on behalf of Mountain Lifeline which has since gone out of business and has been replaced by Whitley County EMS.
  • Lexington Fire Department was approved to spend $7,000 on equipment that differs from their grant application. The department had initially been awarded the grant for educational supplies but later found other funding for those supplies.
  • Green County Ambulance Service was approved to spend $15,000 on a new Type II ambulance. The service had initially been awarded $20,000 for a Type III ambulance and will have to return the $5,000 excess.
• The board tabled until the next meeting a request by Garrett County EMS to spend $11,538 from a 1999 - 2000 Senate Bill 66 grant award on tuition, salary, and employee bonuses for a Basic Trauma Life Support Class and on registration for a conference. The money had originally been awarded to fund participation in hazardous duty retirement but the county has since decided that they will not participate in the enhanced retirement program. "Speaking on behalf of the education committee I certainly hope you can approve it," said board member Lee Brown.
• The board approved 12-month waivers from the 24-hour/seven days a week requirement for paramedic coverage for two new advanced life support services: Gallatin County EMS and Casey County EMS.
• The board approved new ambulance run forms for Ambulance Service of Laurel County and the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport. Both programs are not local government entities and they can no longer receive run forms from the state. Board member Mike Swift asked if federal military installations could continue to receive run forms from the state. Legal counsel Patricia Bausch explained this is a state constitution issue that she will need to research.
• The board appointed board members Mary Guidugli and Judge Anthony Stratton to represent the board on the Kentucky Association of EMTs' state EMS awards committee.
• Executive Director Brian Bishop reported that the Kentucky EMT Instructors Association testing contract would automatically be renewed.

Absent from today's meeting were board members Dr. Eric Bentley, who was ill, and Connie Smith. Mayor Dodd Dixon arrived late.

The board excused Dr. Mary Fallot from the May 3 meeting because she was attending an EMS-related program. Also excused was Connie Smith from the May 24 meeting due to a technicality.

A tentative list of meeting for the next fiscal year was announced by chairman Mark Bailey and includes:

• July 12, 2001, 1:00 p.m. at the Northern Kentucky Airport, Terminal One, Second Floor Navigation Room.
• September 11, 2001, 1:00 p.m. at the Executive Inn Tennessee Room (second floor) in Owensboro during the 2001 Kentucky EMS Conference and Expo.
• November 1, 2001, 1:00 p.m. at the Fire & EMS Training Center in Paintsville.
• January 10, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 111 of the Capitol Annex in Frankfort.
• February 7, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 111 of the Capitol Annex in Frankfort.
• March 7, 2002 at 2:00 p.m. in Room 111 of the Capitol Annex in Frankfort.
• May 2, 2002, 1:00 p.m. at Somerset-Pulaski County EMS.

However, due to scheduling issues, the board was unable to confirm the date for their next meeting.

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