KBEMS sends two regulations to LRC

By JOHN HULTGREN
Kentucky EMS Connection

OWENSBORO — The Kentucky Board of EMS voted to approve the matching grant and the disciplinary action draft regulations this evening, sending them on to the Legislative Research Commission for review.

Earlier in the meeting, the board voted 11-4 to approve all the draft regulations recommended by the regulations committee for public comment only. The board also said their staff would travel around the state during October holding meetings for public comment. They also rescinded the original timeline for the regulation process and approved extending the date for public comment.

The matching grant regulation was apparently put on the fast track because the regulations define the process for approving applications. According to board legal counsel Patricia Bausch, it was possible that the LRC could reject the application form if the board proceeded with the application process without a final regulation, risking the loss of the entire grant amount. 

The regulation committee had broadened the matching grant regulation, authorizing money to be used for both education and non-ambulance vehicles.

An informal survey conducted by board chairman Anthony Stratton showed that no one in the audience had any problems with the matching grant regulation. However, numerous individuals in the audience indicated they did have problems with the disciplinary action regulation.

Many in the audience left the meeting near the start of the closed session. The board reportedly revisted the issue after the closed session, voting then to send the two draft regulations on to the LRC. 

After the meeting, some board members told the Kentucky EMS Connection they voted to send the disciplinary action regulation on because the board needs a regulation that allows disciplinary action.

In other action:

• The board re-elected County Judge/Executive Anthony Stratton to the chairperson position. Dr. Eric Bentley was elected vice-chair.
• Appointed a task force to study the EMT-Intermediate issue. Board deputy director Charles O'Neal informed the board the several state legislators intended to look into the EMT-I issue during the next legislative session. [O'Neal did not name these legislators, but told the board members he would share their names with board members individually.] O'Neal recommended that the board have something prepared in case the legislators do bring the issue up. Board members Lee Brown and John Blumenstock, who were appointed to the task force, said they want to start the project with a needs assessment.
• Appointed Dr. Daniel O'Brien as the state medical advisor. The board will contract with the University of Louisville for his services.

The board meeting was held Tuesday evening at the Kentucky EMS Conference and Expo in Owensboro.

In other meetings earlier today:

• The Kentucky Ambulance Providers Association re-elected Mike Swift as president, Joe Bradshaw as vice-president, Mark Harrison as secretary, and Billy Miller as treasurer. Elections were also held for all even-numbered regions, and in most cases current representatives were unopposed and re-elected. In contested elections: Nell Thomas is the Region 2 representative, Sherman Hockenbury is the Region 6 representative, and Terry Aiken is the Region 12 representative. Jamie Locke and Billy Miller were elected as at-large representatives.
• The Kentucky Association of Air Ambulance Services approved sending a letter to each hospital asking that they designate a staff member to ensure that trash is picked up around hospital helipads. President-elect Gary Sizemore said trash is becoming an increasing problem and presents a serious safety hazard.

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