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ENFIELD TOWN COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 19, 2005
A Special Meeting of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita in the Enfield Room of the Enfield Town Hall, 820 Enfield Street, Enfield, Connecticut on Monday, September 19, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Dodd, Edgar, Egan, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, Peruta, Reveruzzi and Tallarita. Councilman Crowley entered at 6:43 p.m. Councilmen Tait was absent. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson; Director of Finance, Gregory Simmons; EMS Director, Art Groux: Director of Economic Development, Raymond Warren.
EMS STATUS REPORT
Mr. Shanley reported the EMS service was up and running at 8:00 a.m. today.
Mr. Groux stated today they started 24-hour EMS service and are providing paramedic service during those times that AMR isn’t available. He noted the majority of policies have been written and formalized. He stated they have addressed issues such as uniforms, equipment, inventory forms, daily vehicle inventory checks, etc. He stated they do have the approval from DEA for the site license for controlled substances. He noted during this time frame they also did the in-service and training program for the police officers on the new defibrillators.
Mr. Groux stated they have had a few challenges along the way, i.e., difficulty in effective communication with current EMS providers through the four fire departments. He noted they adapted a communication plan which goes directly to the fire chiefs to make sure communications continue and improve.
He stated the hiring process did not move at the pace they had hoped. He explained they didn’t have any historical information to go from to decide how this process would work, therefore, they erred on the side of implementing a very comprehensive review and testing of all applicants. He stated that process did narrow down their pool. He noted as the fall season approached they had a dramatic increase in applications.
Mr. Groux stated they are working with the fire departments to refine the supplemental first response agreement which they started today.
He stated there was a draft plan that was approved for the implementation of EMS, and they’re in the process of updating that plan to include some system reviews and benchmarks with community education components which weren’t part of the initial plan. He noted they’re reviewing the staffing pattern analysis to include an ongoing review and a demand analysis and regular system performance review to see exactly where they fall on a regular basis, i.e., do they need to make adaptations to their schedule and staffing patterns.
Mr. Groux stated the dispatch computer system still needs updating so they can adequately track the responses of Enfield’s EMS. He noted they learned Tuesdays are their busiest days and Wednesdays are their slowest days. He stated at this point they don’t have a documented need for three units every day of the week.
He stated in the review of the last two months, they learned 19% of all of the patients that needed ALS care in July and August received it from a service outside of the Town of Enfield.
Mr. Shanley stated at this time they have eleven full-time people with a 12th employee likely this week, as well as three volunteers and a fourth volunteer coming this week. He stated they are testing nine more people next Tuesday. He explained these are more tests than they will need for people.
Mr. Shanley pointed out every person they hired needed a minimum experience level and they had to pass written, physical, psychological, and drug tests. He noted the personnel they hired went through a rigorous process, and that process will continue going forward. He noted volunteers have to undergo the same testing process.
Chairman Tallarita questioned if all of the eleven employees hired are available for full-time employment. Mr. Groux responded yes. Chairman Tallarita questioned the breakdown of EMT’s and paramedics. Mr. Groux responded they have eight EMT’s and there are three paramedics in that group, and there’s one volunteer paramedic. Chairman Tallarita questioned the goal. Mr. Groux responded at this point it would be four full-time paramedics, and 14 full-time EMT’s. He noted that would staff two trucks 24 hours per day. He noted they would also have part-time and volunteers to fill a third truck during high-peak times.
Mr. Shanley stated the current utilization of the police department has been reduced by about 30% since they began in June. He noted for the next few weeks they will keep the utilization of the police department at the same level as they’ve been for the last few weeks. He explained as the new group comes on, the last “weaning” will be the police.
Councilman Edgar stated he heard on the news this evening that Enfield is adding two new ambulances. Mr. Groux stated his belief they’re probably referring to the Post working with the Town to replace two of the old existing vehicles.
Councilman Edgar questioned if they are now meeting all the certification requirements, and Mr. Groux responded they’re fully in compliance.
Councilman Edgar requested further clarification regarding communication problems. Mr. Groux stated there are certain people they were advised to communicate through in varying departments. He noted in some cases communication didn’t necessary go up as well as down. He stated in hindsight, this probably should have been communication that was directly with the chiefs of the fire departments rather than through other conduits. Councilman Edgar questioned whether this involved dispatch personnel. Mr. Shanley clarified this wasn’t a function of the communication center, but rather a function of person-to-person communication.
Councilman Crowley questioned whether any questionnaires have been sent out about ideas they could get from firemen, paramedics, etc. Mr. Groux responded no. He stated they could do something in the future, and they wouldn’t just involve those involved in EMS, but also their customers.
Councilman Crowley questioned how long AMR will play a role in Enfield. Mr. Shanley clarified Enfield’s role is to supplement the advanced life support function because the resource that exists is stretched very thin.
Councilman Crowley questioned how much longer the police will be asked to help out, and Mr. Groux stated his belief police support will diminish within the next three and a half weeks.
Councilman Crowley questioned whether the fire departments are still responding. Mr. Groux responded yes, as a supplemental first reponse.
Councilman Crowley questioned if in the future there’s anyway to include cadet volunteers. Mr. Groux responded this is something that could be looked at in the future.
Councilman Peruta questioned how they might improve communications in the future. Mr. Groux stated they’re attempting to make routine phone calls to all the department chiefs to learn if they have any concerns. He noted they will try to make that personal connection on a regular basis. Mr. Shanley pointed out a lot of the complexity comes out today because the responsibility for the primary medical care rests with the Town, therefore, it allows the communication focus to be on the supplemental first response.
Councilman Peruta questioned how quality is improved going forward. Mr. Groux stated it is key that they provide people access to the proper channels to relay any concerns they might have, i.e., through a questionnaire.
Councilman Peruta stated his understanding the police department’s role will lessen in upcoming weeks, and Mr. Shanley clarified the police will always be the first responders, however, they won’t be staffing ambulances as they’ve done in the past.
Councilman Peruta stated he would like the Council to get regular updates in the future regarding the EMS service. He went on to question whether there’s anything the Town Council can do to help. Mr. Groux responded at this point they are moving forward, and the support of the Council will make it work.
Councilman Peruta questioned if there are any major issues needing to be addressed. Mr. Shanley stated the next steps involve weaning off the driving support of the police department as they add EMS staff and the assessment of the third unit and exactly how and when that should be staffed.
Councilman Peruta questioned how they will know they’re effective and successful. Mr. Groux stated when they have some months of actual clean and trackable numbers, they will establish some benchmarks.
Councilman Fiore questioned how many ambulances there are, and Mr. Groux responded five, and two are basically back-up spares. Councilman Fiore questioned where the ambulances are housed. Mr. Groux stated three are at the police department and two are at the highway garage. Councilman Fiore questioned where the ambulances will be housed by year end. Mr. Groux stated they hope to have one stored at the Route 5 fire station and two at the police department. He added it’s based on volume in the particular districts during any time of day.
Councilman Fiore questioned the budgeting for the communication center. Mr. Shanley stated they budgeted for half replacement this year, and the other half next year.
Councilman Kaupin questioned the staffing for the third vehicle. Mr. Groux stated he is not sure if the third unit will be staffed with full-timers or part-timers because it will depend on how many hours a day and how many days a week they need that unit. Mr. Shanley noted they also have to optimize the revenue stream from the insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid and balance things so that the amount of revenue they receive and the staffing they have matches.
Councilman Kaupin stated his understanding situations may come up where they will require help from the police department. Mr. Groux explained when EMS resources are taxed, it would go to mutual aid, not the police department. Mr. Shanley stated the police department will continue to be EMT certified and they’ll always be first responders. He noted the management of the police department is always in a position to be able to call a couple officers to lend support, i.e., staffing an ambulance if there’s an emergency.
Councilman Egan questioned whether EMS will be working with Home and Community Health and VNA, and Mr. Groux responded yes, they will be in contact with a lot of the different services
Councilman Mangini thanked Mr. Groux for his presentation and the spirit of productive cooperation between all of the departments. She welcomed all the new EMS personnel.
Chairman Tallarita stated he appreciates the fact that Mr. Groux recognizes how important communication is between the other providers in Enfield. He agreed with Councilman Peruta about the need to keep the Council updated as this service moves forward. He stated when the Council took this on years ago, the goal was to improve the efficiency of the EMS process and patient care. He questioned whether Mr. Groux believes they’ve begun to achieve that and are they on the road to making this a premier EMS system that Enfield can be proud of and that the State can look to as a model. Mr. Groux responded absolutely.
Mr. Groux stated in the future they would like to be able to offer mutual aid to surrounding communities since those communities have supported Enfield in the past.
Chairman Tallarita requested another review at the second meeting in October.
MOTION #8005 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Kaupin to go into Executive Session to discuss Real Estate Negotiations and Pending Litigation.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #8005 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood recessed at 7:35 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Executive Session of the Enfield Town Council was called to order by Chairman Tallarita at 7:36 p.m.
ROLL-CALL – Present were Councilmen Crowley, Dodd, Edgar, Egan, Fiore, Kaupin, Mangini, Peruta, Reveruzzi, and Tallarita. Also present were Town Manager, Scott Shanley; Assistant Town Manager, Daniel Vindigni; Town Clerk, Suzanne Olechnicki; Town Attorney, Christopher Bromson
Real Estate Negotiations and Pending Litigation were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
Chairman Tallarita adjourned the Executive Session at 7:38 p.m. He reconvened the Special Meeting at 7:39 p.m. and stated that during Executive Session Real Estate Negotiations and Pending Litigation were discussed with no action or votes being taken.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #8006 by Councilman Mangini, seconded by Councilman Fiore to adjourn.
Upon a SHOW-OF-HANDS vote being taken, the Chair declared MOTION #8006 adopted 10-0-0, and the meeting stood adjourned at 7:40 p.m. |