MAY 5, 1999

HELD AT THE MINOT COMFORT INN

SPECIAL MEETING TO DISCUSS THE VETO OF SENATE BILL 2307

President Fred DeBowey began the meeting by stating that he felt that it is necessary for the ND 911 Association to form a position statement on the issue of the Governor vetoing the bill. Terry Traynor from the Association of Counties provided some ideas on why this might have happened and what we should do, as an association, in the future. He felt that we should write a letter to the Governor in order to gain some direction from his office. Other discussion included: public education to change the publics’ perception that this is a tax; Gayla said that the injured farmer from Pierce County would be willing to testify in support of the bill; and more media coverage-standardized public service announcements provided to all 911 Coordinators to disperse to media.

An award was presented to Terry Traynor for his assistance to the ND 911 Association at the 56^th Legislative Assembly.

Tim Wiedrich from the ND Emergency Health Department spoke about EMD certification. He spoke with Derek Hanson after the ND 911 Association meeting in Bismarck in order to clarify the certification process. The EMD certification is good for 2 years. The Emergency Health Services Department only distributes cards with expirations with one of two dates, March 31 or September 31. So, depending on when you take the class, you may end up with an expiration date of a little less than 2 years or a little more than 2 years. After the card expires, the cardholder still has 2 years to take the refresher. BUT, the re-certification card will still be scheduled to expire on your original expiration date. Example: A person has a card dated to expire March 31, 1999. If that person were to take the refresher before expiration, his re-certification card would have an expiration of March 31, 2001. If that person did not got take a refresher until March 31, 2000, his re-certification card would still have an expiration date of March 31, 2000. This is meant to discourage individuals from going too far beyond the recommended 2 year re-certification period. If any individuals go 2 years beyond the expiration date of their card, they will be required to retake the entire course.

Gayla Meier moved to accept this plan for EMD and EMD re-certification. Rick Hessinger seconded it. No discussion. Motion carried.

Discussion on the fact that the Emergency Medical Priority Company, which is the course that Derek Hanson is currently teaching, has alleged that Derek is in violation of their licensure (copyright) agreement. Originally, Medical Priorities sold the flip cards and instruction materials to the State Emergency Health Department with the understanding that the cards could travel with the instructor from class to class. Now, Medical Priority is taking the position that this is a violation of copyright laws and that each set of cards must be owned by the agency sending each student to a class. The company would also like to send out their own representatives to teach the course, which would significantly increase the cost per student. All EMD and EMD Refresher courses are on hold until this matter is resolved. There was discussion on having the EMD taught in a more general format, so that each agency could send their student to the class with whatever cards they currently use.

Jerry Marschke made a motion to have the ND 911 Association Executive Committee explore the option of forming a Training Committee and provide names of individuals they feel should be appointed to this committee. Pete Eggimann seconded the motion. No discussion. Motion carried.

Pete Eggimann would like to thank everyone that helped with the ND 911 legislative issues.

Pete made a motion to form a Public Relations Committee that would meet quarterly to come up with public service announcements specifically on the wireless 911 issue. Fred Marquardt seconded the motion. The motion was amended that specifically a member from a state radio county be on this committee. Motion carried. The people that volunteered to be on this committee are Pete E., Janelle Pepple, and Jerry Marschke.

Pete Eggimann made a motion that all 911 Coordinators be polled to see if they are in agreement of the ND 911 Association acting as a liaison with the wireless carriers in development of a statewide plan for Enhanced 911 wireless implementation. The intent would be to plan for a statewide uniform contract with the wireless carriers. Gary Kostalecky seconded the motion. Discussion from Rick Hessinger that each state radio county must agree individually, state radio could not enter into an agreement for them. Motion carried.

Those in attendance at the meeting composed the enclosed letter to be sent to the Governor.

Meeting adjourned.