Birth Announcement

Brittany Teal Crandall Bousquet and David Bousquet announce the birth of their daughter, Amelia Rai Bousquet. She weighed 7lb 8 oz and is 20 1/4" long, She was born at 2:42 p.m on August 3, 2015, in Lansing, Michigan. Proud grandparents are Yvonne and Steve Crandall and Debbie and Kevin Bousquet.

Ceremony to Honor Native American Veterans

This ceremony took place on August 1, 2015, beginning with the assembly of participants close to 12:30 pm at the Beaver Island AMVETs Veterans' Memorial.

 Draft Ceremony Agenda

·      At 12:45 the color guards from Grand Traverse and Little Traverse raise their separate Tribal flags on the left and right flagpoles.

1:00 PM

·      Flyover by Island Airways

·      Welcome to visitors, housekeeping, history of park (movie at 3:00 etc.) Bob Tidmore

·      Pledge of allegiance  Alvina Napont

·      Albert Colby opens ceremony

·      Joe Mitchel from Charlevoix opening ceremony

·      Comments from Albert Colby

·      Comments from Grand Traverse Tribe Speaker

·      George Anthony; the history of Native Americans and their service in the Armed Forces. 

·      Comments from other guests

·      Reading of the name of each veteran—the ringing of a bell will follow each name

·      Rifle Salute for Robert Keshik from High Island who was killed in action in Korea August 5, 1950.  Post 46 will provide the men and rifles.

o   The color  guards and Post 46 lower all flags to ½ mast.

o   Joe Mitchel blessing

o   The reading of Robert Keshik’s background and service history.

§  Detail attention—

§  Detail Present Arms

§  Taps---Post 120 from Grand Traverse City

§  Rifle Salute—Post 46 Beaver Island

§  Detail Order Arms—

§  Detail—At Ease—

·      Closing comments—Albert Colby

·      Detail Dismissed---Post 46 and color guards—Bob Tidmore

(DSC pictures by Phyllis Moore, P pictures by Deb Bousquet)

The bricks in the Memorial Walk at the Veteran's Memorial for the American Indian Veterans

The bell to be rung for each veteran added to the walk

Phyllis' panorama

Panaorama from pics by Deb

Additional pictures of the event

Phyllis' Video of Specific Parts of the Dedication

Flyover by Island Airways

Rifle Salute

Taps

Yah Wheh Ha

View video of the entire dedication HERE 

Goodbye....Goodbye

by Cindy Ricksgers

Beaver Island Emergency Services Authority

Meeting of July 30. 2015

Video of this meeting HERE

Things You Don't Expect on a Golf Course

While it wouldn't be unusual to see a monarch on the golf course in July, it certainly is unusual for one to land on your hand gloved with a golf glove while sitting in the shade awaiting your competition for the day.

Phragmities Administrator Position

Actual Facts about Differences in Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support

(and Who’s in Charge after declaration of an emergency) Part III
By Joe Moore, paramedic and paramedic instructor

Who should make transport arrangements for all emergency patients on Beaver Island?

The following question was submitted to the Director of EMS, Marvin Helmker, Michigan Department of Community Health, now MDHHS.
So who should be arranging emergency medical transport of the patient?
Marvin Helmker, EMS Division of MDCH, states:
“I would say more appropriately (the paramedic would function) in accordance with the local MCA protocols, as well as consultation with the receiving ED physician.”

In a life threatening or could-become a life threatening condition, where should the patient be transported?
Here are some quotes from the State of Michigan EMS protocols:

“Transport Destination Decisions A. In matters of imminent threat to life or limb, (the ambulance must) transport to the closest appropriate facility*. …

c. No other individuals are permitted to determine destination of patient
without prior approval of on-line medical control: (police, fire, bystander physician, etc.) 
(And there are protocols for this to happen, after EMS provider contact with medical control physician.)

*Closest appropriate facility may be a facility capable of providing definitive care or, if definitive care is not readily available, resuscitative care for the patient’s condition in consultation with on-line medical control or as defined by protocol.”
“The patient experiences an imminent threat to life or clinical deterioration and, in the medical judgment of the EMS personnel, the patient may be transported to the closest appropriate facility. Documentation of the reason for the diversion shall be included in the EMS patient care record.”

Does the primary care provider have the authority to dictate treatment of an emergency patient?

Marvin Helmker says, “It is my understanding that once a caller has declared a medical emergency, EMS is in charge of patient assessment and treatment upon arriving on the scene.  If another medical professional is on the scene, the hope would be that this individual would work cooperatively with EMS for the benefit of the patient.  If this does not occur, the highest licensed EMS provider on the scene should contact medical control for their direction in how to proceed.  Typically, if the non-EMS medical professional on scene wishes to assume patient care responsibilities, he/she would be required to accompany the patient in the ambulance to the hospital.  (see 333.20967, PA 368 of 1978, Part 209)”

To whom is the EMS agency accountable?

Based upon R 325.22202, An EMS agency is accountable to the medical control authority, not to the providers of the rural health center.

“(A medical control authority must)(g) Make each licensed life support agency and individual accountable to the medical control authority in the provision of emergency medical services, as defined in department-approved protocols.”
“Rule 210. (1) Each life support agency and emergency medical services personnel licensed under this part is accountable to the medical control authority in the provision of emergency medical services within the medical control authority region, as defined in department-approved protocols.”

Who determines the transport method and destination of the patient?

No one except the medical control physician has the authority to demand BIEMS personnel transport a patient to a specific location or using a specific emergency air transport service nor does anyone have authority to demand a patient be transported to a facility that is not the “closest appropriate facility” as defined in EMS law, rules, and protocols.  The transport destination is determined by the EMS agency personnel after consultation with the medical control physician and the patient.

PUBLIC HEALTH CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 368 of 1978

333.20967 Authority for management of emergency patient or management of scene of emergency; declaring nonexistence of emergency.
Sec. 20967.
(1) Authority for the management of a patient in an emergency is vested in the licensed health professional or licensed emergency medical services personnel at the scene of the emergency who has the most training specific to the provision of emergency medical care. If a licensed health professional or licensed emergency medical services personnel is not available, the authority is vested in the most appropriately trained representative of a public safety agency at the scene of the emergency.
(2) When a life support agency is present at the scene of the emergency, authority for the management of an emergency patient in an emergency is vested in the physician responsible for medical control until that physician relinquishes management of the patient to a licensed physician at the scene of the emergency.
(3) Authority for the management of the scene of an emergency is vested in appropriate public safety agencies. The scene of an emergency shall be managed in a manner that will minimize the risk of death or health impairment to an emergency patient and to other individuals who may be exposed to the risks as a result of the emergency. Priority shall be given to the interests of those individuals exposed to the more serious remediable risks to life and health. Public safety officials shall ordinarily consult emergency medical services personnel or other authoritative health professionals at the scene in the determination of remediable risks.
(4) If an emergency has been declared, the declaration that an emergency no longer exists shall be made only by an individual licensed under this part or a health professional licensed under article 15 who has training specific to the provision of emergency medical services in accordance with protocols established by the local medical control authority.

Time to definitive care is the most important issue that a EMS provider must consider during the determination of transportation destination and method. 

So which method of transportation gets the patient to definitive care in the shortest amount of time? 

The answer to this is so obvious to everyone on the island that I can’t believe that it is even questioned.  If an aircraft is sitting at Welke Airport on Beaver Island, ready and available, the priority one patient can be at Charlevoix Area Hospital Emergency Room or McClaren Northern Michigan Hospital Emergency Room in less than an hour.  Since “Time is Muscle” in a cardiac emergency, and “Time is Tissue” in a possible stroke, and time is an important issue in most priority one and priority two patients, why would it make sense to contact any off-Island air transport providers for most priority one and two patients?  There may be situations in which the paramedic would make a decision to contact an off-Island air transport, but these are few and far between, and would be based upon a decision made between the medical control physician and the paramedic according to the legislation, rules, and protocols.  Time is also saved because the BIEMS paramedic doesn’t have to provide an oral and written report to anyone since the BIEMS paramedic will get into a BIEMS licensed aircraft heading to a destination that was determined by that paramedic and the medical control physician.  The BIEMS licensed air transport vehicle will take just 20 minutes to fly and land at Charlevoix Airport or Harbor Springs Airport and no more than ten minutes to the definitive care at either hospital mentioned above.

The same equipment will accompany the patient and the paramedic from the ambulance and in the aircraft, so the switching of equipment will not be necessary at the airport.  Time will not need to be taken to write out the report for the ambulance run, prior to turning the patient over to the air transport service.  How much time does this save?  Well, if you consider the calls in which an off-Island air transport vehicle was called, the time taken after the patient is loaded into the aircraft may exceed fifteen minutes, while equipment is attached, baseline vital signs are taken, and yet another patient assessment takes place by EMS providers not familiar with the patient and the previous assessments done on Beaver Island.  In just another few minutes using Island Airways aircraft, the patient could be at the hospital instead of sitting on the tarmack of the township airport.

So, the Beaver Island EMS paramedic in charge, or the EMT in charge, should be making the transport method decision, the transport destination decision, and the method of treatment decisions in consultation with the medical control physician; and the rural health center provider should be alerting EMS prior to any transport arrangements being made.  This is what the BIRHC policy, signed by Dr. Newcomb, states.  This is what the EMS law, administrative rules, and the State of Michigan protocols, adopted by Charlevoix Medical Control Authority, also state.

What's New at the Library?

See what's new this week at the Beaver Island District Library at:

*** http://wowbrary.org/ nu.aspx?fb&p=9446-57 ***

There are one new bestseller, one new children's book, and 24 other new books.

The new bestseller this week is "The Martian: A Novel."

Summer Men's Golf League Results

	#				WEEK 8 RESULTS
PLACE:	TEAM	TEAMS:	S.	P.	T.P.	T.S.	S.AVE.
1	7	Ivan & Buck	39	14	83	282	40.29
2	8	Howard & Joe	38	13	78	267	38.14
3	2	Jeff M. & Ryan	39	7	71	267	38.14
4	1	Ron W. & Larry	0	0	69	258	36.86
5	4	Chuck & Ernie	42	6	69	284	40.57
6	5	Francis & Larry	40	13	68	306	43.71
7	9	Gerald & Kirk	42	7	68	296	42.29
8	6	Ron S. & David	43	14	67	340	48.57
9	3	Dan & Rob	40	6	59	250	41.67

0 means the team had a bye week

Chuck and Ernie is the only team that hasn't had a bye week

	WEEK #8 RESULTS
	Team #8 beat Team #2 13-7
	Team #6 beat Team #3 14-6
	Team #7 beat Team #4 14-6
	Team #5 beat Team #9 13-7
	WEEK #9 SCHEDULE
	Team #1 vs Team #9
	Team #2 vs Team #5
	Tam #3 vs Team #8
	Team #6 vs Team #7
	Team #4 BYE

Meeting Video Recordings

An Editorial by Joe Moore

There have been some suggestions that Beaver Island News on the 'Net has purposely edited out certain portions of certain meetings for the benefit of certain board members. First of all, since I do all the editing, processing, and posting of videos, I wish to notify everyone who subscribes to News on the 'Net, that I do NOT edit out anything purposefully from a public meeting video. If something is missing from the video, it certainly is accidental. If anything thing is edited out of the video, it is because someone's name has been used in the public meeting in a disciplinary setting without the person being present to defend themselves. This has only happened once in all the years of providing video to these meetings. Once in a while there will be a glitch or a forgetful videographer will forget to turn the video camera on record or something like that, but none of this is done on purpose or at the request of any board member.

These videos are completed and recorded and posted and are kept available for a minimum of four years. They are only removed after four years because the memory requirements and storage costs would be prohibitive without financial help to accomplish a longer period of storage. Usually four years is sufficient, but if someone wants to step up and pay for additional storage of the video, BINN will gladly do so. If the boards were willing to provide an external hard drive, I would happily keep these videos for longer, recording them on the external hard drive as I process the video.

I would like to repeat this one more time. BINN does not and never has purposely removed any video of any public meeting, nor any portion of any video of a public meeting because a board member asked it be removed.

Electronically signed by Joe Moore, editor of BINN

Actual Facts about Differences in Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support

(and Who’s in Charge after declaration of an emergency) Part II
By Joe Moore, paramedic and paramedic instructor

ALS Runs by Joe Moore, paramedic, during 2014

Here is a link to a youtube video that explains the differences between ALS and BLS ambulances:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn0PmGn8y-Y

Here is the Wikepedia article explaining the difference between ALS and BLS:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_life_support

Joe Moore, paramedic, went on a total of 71 ambulance runs and flights in the year of 2014.  Advanced life support skills and equipment were available for all 71 events.  Out of 71 patient runs and patient flights, 15 patients were treated and transported at a basic life support level including four who were flown off the island with Island Airways,  5 patients were not transported (two of these were treated at the advanced life support level and released), and 2 patients were dead on scene.  The rest of these runs and flights were advanced life support and required a paramedic.  Every single one of these was entered into a data base as required by the State of Michigan, Department of Community Health and can be verified.

This makes a total of 49 advanced life support ambulance runs and flights completed by one paramedic, Joe Moore.  Runs entered into the data base by another paramedic will not show up in my list of runs.  Nineteen (19) of these were advanced life support flights of patients off the island using Island Airways.

Thirty (30) of these were advanced life support ambulance runs on Beaver Island.  NIneteen of these thirty patients were flown off the island using Island Airways at an advanced life support level. Four additional patients were taken off island by Valley Medflight.  One was taken off island by USCG helicopter, and one was taken off the island on a USCG boat.

This makes five advanced life support runs of Joe Moore’s patients being treated and released by the BIRHC.

I have worked side by side with all the providers of the Beaver Island Rural Health Center:  Michael McGinnity, Penny Kiss, Susan Meis, Bev Russell, Chris VanLooy, and Sue Solle.  I have worked in the BIRHC and in Charlevoix Hospital for clinical with Dr. Newcomb and Dr. Mann.  We have all worked together for the benefit of the patient.

So, I guess I know the difference between an ALS run and a BLS run.  If a patient has received an IV, an advanced airway, or any medication by mouth, an injection into a muscle, or a medication by the IV line, this patient is NOT a basic life support patient.  It is an advanced life support run requiring a paramedic. 

While I am explaining this, I need to also explain that the assessment and the treatments by a basic EMT in a basic life support ambulance are entirely different than the assessment and treatments provided by a paramedic in an advanced life support vehicle.  The paramedic does a body-systems assessment and makes a differential diagnosis, and treats the body system(s) that are affected. 

If you are not sure about that, I would suggest that you compare the education of a basic EMT of 192 hours of classroom time with 32 hours of clinical with 1100 hours of classroom time for a paramedic, clinical skills based upon completion of the skills in the clinical environment of a hospital, and an internship with an Advanced Life Support ambulance.  A new paramedic has at least six times the educational hours and six times the experience of a new EMT.

If the BIRHC and the BIEMS are allowed by Charlevoix Medical Control Authority  to continue the wonderful partnership that has been established, then it makes no difference whether the treatments happen at the BIRHC, prior to the BIRHC, or whether the ambulance bypasses the BIRHC.  An advanced life support run is not determined by where the advanced treatment takes place.   BIRHC is not a licensed facility.  There are no transfers from a doctor’s office or a rural health center.

Scenario 1:  As an example, let’s suppose that a patient walks into the medical center with chest pain.  The provider at the BIRHC gives the patient the treatments for chest pain including all of the same treatments that are required and these are done at the BIRHC.  The provider then determines that the patient needs to go to the hospital.  This patient is still an advanced life support patient even if all of the treatments are provided at the rural health center because a basic EMT cannot monitor a patient that has had advanced life support interventions because more interventions may be needed, and a basic EMT cannot do these interventions.

Scenario 2:  In this scenario, the chest pain patient calls for the ambulance from his home.  The patient could have had all the same treatments completed by the paramedic before the patient was taken to the medical center.  This makes it an advanced life support run.

Scenario 3:  Or, the same treatments as in scenario two were completed without a stop at the medical center.  The decision to bypass the BIRHC is made by the paramedic on call.   It is still an advanced life support run. 
In all three scenarios, the runs require a paramedic and the runs are advanced life support runs due to the level of care provided to the patient.

So, tell me now why we don’t need advanced life support on Beaver Island.  Tell me now how a primary care provider can step right in and do the job of a paramedic in the field.  And lastly, tell me what State of Michigan legislative statute allows an RN, an FNP, or a PA to function in the back of an advanced life support ambulance or an air transport vehicle licensed by the State of Michigan.  The fact is that they can, if and only if, they are also licensed as a paramedic or there is another paramedic onboard.

The following statistics relate only to the runs mentioned above.  Out of 71 total runs, 15 of them were “only” basic life support runs.  This represents 21% of the runs.  They are basic life support runs because the advanced life support assessment did not reveal any advanced life support issues that required advanced life support treatments.  Using simple arithmetic, this means that 79% of the runs were advanced life support runs.  In the runs by Joe Moore, 49 of them were advanced life support runs, not the seventeen runs reported by another source.

I will very gladly grant that the providers at the BIRHC are very competent and excellent at providing care.  I will admit that many of the patients who needed care in 2014 were provided that care by these same providers.  I will also say that a lot of the advanced care provided to the advanced life support patients were provided that advanced care by these providers.  Just because the advanced care took place at the health center does not make these transports into basic life support ambulance runs.  It matters not where the advanced care took place. The method in determining that the ambulance runs and the ambulance transport and air transport are advanced life support transports is based upon what care was provided and not on where the care was provided..  If the health center wants credit for providing the advanced care, I would gladly provide them that credit.  It does not turn an ambulance transport or an air transport into anything other than an advanced life support transport.  As a matter of fact, this advanced care provided at the health center actually complements the need for advanced emergency medical care and transport of patients.

To provide you with some really specific numbers over the years, I'll start with 2015. So far in this year, there were 51 calls for service. Out of these there were 31 advanced life support runs based upon the treatments provided, 13 basic life support runs, 5 calls for service were canceled, and 2 patients refused transport. Sixteen of these involved trauma, six were difficulty breathing runs, four were chest pain patients, five were other cardiac issues, five involved acute abdominal pain, one involved unknown illness, 1 was hypoglycemia and was treated and released, and two were psychiatric emergencies.

In 2013+2014, I will only relate the conditions of my patients. COPD/asthma/difficulty breathing patients numbered 17. Trauma patients numbered 33 ranging from minor lacerations to severe head injuries. There were 17 patients with cardiac issues. Four had had a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Fifteen had suspected stroke or transient ischemic attacks. Five had either hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Seventy patients had an IV running. Fourteen were treated with Atrovent and/or Albuterol or both. Six received narcotics or benzodiazipines. Five needed IV dextrose, all patients, except minor trauma such as minor lacerations, were monitored with a cardiac monitor.

Going back in history, we find that in 2012 there were 39 ALS patients and 17 BLS patients. In 2011, there were 34 ALS and 14 BLS. In 2010, there were 40 ALS and 23 BLS. In 2009, there were 34 ALS and 29 BLS. In 2008, there were 50 ALS patients and 27 BLS patients. In 2007, there were 43 ALS patients and 24 BLS patients. In 2006, there were 47 ALS patients and 28 BLS patients. In 2005, there were 48 ALS patients and 20 BLS patients. So from 2005-partway of 2015, the number of ALS patients are almost double the number of BLS patients, or 66% of patients are advanced life support patients. The total of advanced life support patients has numbered a little over four hundred and averaged forty ALS patients per year.

So the question to be asked is which of your friends and relatives out of the four hundred would you have denied emergency medical care and monitoring at the advanced life support level?

Actual Facts about Differences in Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support

(and Who’s in Charge after declaration of an emergency) Part I
By Joe Moore, paramedic and paramedic instructor

A Basic EMT functions independently from a paramedic only in a licensed Basic Life Support ambulance based upon Basic Life Support protocols.  The paramedic functions independently in an Advanced Life Support ambulance based upon Advanced Life Support protocols governed by the county and/or regional medical control authority.  Beaver Island EMS has one BLS ambulance licensed, one ALS ambulance licensed, one licensed ALS emergency response vehicle, and one licensed ALS air transport vehicle.
These State of Michigan protocols are the assessments and treatments allowed for these two completely different life support levels, paramedic and Basic EMT.
A Basic EMT (192 hours of education and training) can do these skills:

1. Oxygen administration
2. Physical restraint of patient
3. Epi-pen for Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction after medical control contact
4. Intranasal Narcan after training by paramedic instructor and after medical control contact
5. Bandaging and Airtight dressings
6. Spinal  immobilization
7. Blood Glucose Metering
8. Advanced splinting skills
9. Determine Priority of Patient based upon assessment
10. Chest Pain protocol including Oxygen, aspirin, and nitroglycerin
11. Combitube as advanced airway
12. Basic Patient Assessment
13. Read and monitor SPO2 for oxygen levels
14. Basic Life Support if certified by the AHA
15. Basic PreHospital Trauma Life Support if certified
16. Basic Pediatric Emergencies for PreHospital Providers if certified
17. Advanced Stroke Life Support Assessment and Treatment if certified by  the UMiami
18. Cardiac defibrillation
19. Determine closest, most appropriate facility

Here is a list of procedures that a paramedic can do that a Basic EMT cannot do.  It is based upon a review of the State of Michigan Emergency Medical Protocols authorized by the Charlevoix County Medical Control Authority.
A paramedic (1100 hours of education and training and at least 250 hours of internship) can do all the Basic EMT skills above and can do these also:

1. Monitor EKG and Understand rhythms and treatments
2. Administer IV fluids including IV drip rates
3. Monitor patient who has received IV, IM, or oral drugs
4. Administer drugs, ( Basics can do nitro, aspirin, albuterol, and oxygen)
5. Make a differential diagnosis
6. Advanced Cardiac Life Support Assessment and Treatment  if certified by the AHA
7. Pediatric Advanced Life Support Assessment and Treatment if certified by the AHA
8. Advanced Pediatric Emergencies for PreHospital Providers if certified AAP
9. Advanced PreHospital Trauma Life Support if certified by one of two organizations.
10. Read 12-lead EKG
11. Read carbon dioxide levels, monitor, and understand  meaning of waveforms
12. Advanced Patient Assessment-Body System Specific and make differential diagnosis
13. Plural Decompression
14. Perform Oral and Nasal tracheal intubation
15. Needle and Surgical Crico, a surgical airway
16. Do CPAP and BIPAP
17. Synchronized  Cardioversion and Pacing
18. Do Patient Sedation
19. Clear C-spine, pre-medical control contact, Basics after medical control and unlikely
20. Chemical Restraint of patient
21. Intra-osseus access as well as IV access
22. Do Return of Spontaneous Circulation treatments
23. Administer and monitor IV drip medications using IV pump
24. Pain Management protocol
25. Function as provider in ALS Air Transport vehicle or in ALS ambulance
26. Accept patient with ALS interventions performed

As a short summary of these two lists follows.  A Basic EMT cannot use a cardiac monitor for diagnosis or monitoring of a patient without a paramedic.  Cardiac monitoring is an advanced life support skill.  A Basic EMT cannot accept a patient with an IV running at anything except a keep vein open rate and cannot adjust the drip rate, only turn off the IV.  A Basic EMT cannot monitor a patient after receiving drugs because they have not had the needed education in indications, contraindications, side effects, and untoward effects of these medications.  In a diabetic emergency, a basic EMT can assess it, but not treat it beyond oral glucose.  Treating a diabetic emergency requires advanced life support.  In a patient with severe pain or nausea, the Basic EMT can assess it, but not provide pain relief or anti-nausea medications, and can’t independently monitor the patient afterword. A Basic EMT has lots of skills, but the paramedic has all these same skills and many more.

I am proud to say that I have become an instructor in emergency medical services and have taught EMS classes and programs since 1989.  I am licensed to teach all levels of pre-hospital care from medical first responder up through paramedic.  I am certified to teach American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and well as Basic Life Support.  I am certified to teach Pediatric Emergencies for Pre-Hospital Providers through the American Academy of Pediatrics.  I am certified to teach Advanced Stroke Life Support by the University of Miami.  I am currently trying to get recertified to teach International Trauma Life Support and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support.  I have been adjunct faculty for Kellogg Community College and North Central Michigan College.  I have provided EMS services on Beaver Island for twenty-eight years, working alongside some great healthcare providers at the medical center and now the BIRHC.

I have taught more than thirty-five complete courses at all levels of emergency medical services.  I have taught paramedics, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physicians in certification courses for most of these above mentioned classes in Charlevoix, Marshall, Petoskey, Marquette, and Traverse City.  These statements are statements of fact and are not meant to glorify me.  They are made in the same manner as a resume to provide you with the information about my knowledge of the differences between basic life support and advanced life support.  I would not have to state the qualifications if my expertise was accepted based upon my years of service.

It is NOT legal for an FNP, a PA, an RN, or a physician to function in the back of an advanced life support ambulance if the reason for doing so is to replace a paramedic.  There must be a paramedic in this advanced life support ambulance and/or in the advanced life support air transport vehicle.  These primary care levels can accompany the paramedic if and only if the medical control physician provides them that authority for each transport, AND this provider accompanies the patient all the way to the hospital.  These same providers are not to be on the emergency medical scene unless they have completed the same permission and conditions mentioned above, and, unless asked to remain by the paramedic in charge, they should leave.  That’s what the law, rules, and protocols state.
It is also NOT legal for an FNP, a PA, an RN, or a physician to function in the back of a basic life support ambulance while providing care at an advanced life support level.  All requirements of the above paragraph must be completed prior to this occurring.

Why is the information important for the entire community to know?  There have been inaccurate reports mailed and discussed in the community about numbers of advanced life support calls which could have been basic life support calls.  There have been suggestions of lowering the level of care to the basic life support level.  There have been suggestions that primary care providers can function as emergency care providers outside of their facility.  There have been violations of the law, rules, and protocols by removal of decision-making from the paramedics in charge at an emergency.   And, I am personally unhappy with any and all of these, and believe it is time for facts to come out about any and all of this.

Where is the Baroque on Beaver Coverage?

Beaver Island News on the 'Net would very much like to provide video and picture coverage for the festival events for Baroque on Beaver. BINN would love to have the opportunity to livestream some of these concerts for those unable to attend the concerts. There are quite a few of the founding members of the Bach on Beaver, the original name of the festival, who are unable to attend due to ill health or simply old age. There are those that live on Beaver Island who are physically unable to attend the concerts. It is certainly a shame that these individuals are unable to view the concerts due to their inability to physically be present, but the issue involves intellectual property, a legal term that prevents BINN from covering the events.

From the Baroque on Beaver website under frequently asked questions:

"Can I bring my camera or video recorder?
Photography and video recordings are prohibited during concerts."

So, Beaver Island News on the 'Net is simply unable to provide coverage of the festival concerts. Apparently, the Beaver Island Cultural Arts Association is unable or does not wish to provide these experiences to those unable to physically attend the events.

Editorial Comment: As one of the performers in the original Bach on Beaver events, this truly saddens me. The original idea was to provide classical music exposure to the Beaver Island community. Obviously, this event is truly a popular event bringing lots of visitors and musicians to the island. My vision, as part of the founding group and former BICAA board member, was to have the music playing simultaneiously in McDonough's Market, Stoney Acres, and many other businesses, so that the entire community could hear the wonderfully inspiring classical music. Then the live concerts could be at least heard by those who have to work during the festival concerts, or by those unable to physically attend the concerts, or by those sitting in their yacht in the middle of the harbor. The livestreaming service of BINN could provide all of this including a "direct to the individual" classical music experience.

The last Baroque on Beaver concerts that were able to be covered by BINN can be found on the Archives website http://beaverislandnewsarchives.com HERE

What's In A Name?

Paradise Bay

The name of the harbor on Beaver Island is frequently given as "Paradise Bay," There couldn't be any other better description of this location that the word "paradise." The following pictures answer the many times that people have asked, "What do you do on Beaver Island?"

Let's put some answers down here about what is going on here on Beaver Island on July 26, 2015. We have people kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, wading, boating in a yacht, boating with a pontoon boat, sunning themselves on the beach, playing with dogs, using jet skis, and relaxing and enjoying the beautiful day. All of these pictures were taken at the public beach next to and across from the Holy Cross Catholic Church and the Holy Cross Parish Hall. These pictures explain why the name of the harbor is "Paradise Bay," because these activities are the activities completed in a paradise.

Short Video Clip of Paradise Bay

 

If you are a classical music fan, add to this two concerts, one a pop up concert for the tour boat that docked at the Beaver Island Boat Company, and another concert at the Community Center.in the evening, and you have yet another definition of paradise.

Giant Hogweed or Cow Parsnip

Cindy Ricksgers wrote, "We have very large healthy Cow Parsnip plants on this archipelago that mimic the appearance of Giant Hogweed but do not have the dangerous side effects. I have followed up on several reports of Giant Hogweed, but have always found this to be the case. At this time, to the best of our knowledge, we do NOT have Giant Hogweed on Beaver Island or the outer islands.
We do have a much smaller invasive plant - Wild Parsnip - that has similar burning, blistering side effects. The Beaver Island Association's pamphlet on our top 10 invasive plants (available for free at the Community Center) gives a good description of it. On Beaver Island, it has been noted off McCauley Road, and at the south end of the King's Highway. In every case, if you are unsure of a plant's safety or identity, it is best to steer clear, and seek expert advice."

Here is a comparison of the two plants:

Out in the Donegal Bay area in the Port of St. James, there are plants that are pretty tall, and some have thought that this might be Giant Hogweed. Here are some pictures of the plants out in the Island Woods area:

How about getting a botanist to make a trip out to this site, and provide us with an explanation about what this plant is and what it is not? That's the recommendation from Pam Grassmich, who arranged exactly that with Beth Leuck (a naturalist) and Ed Leuck (a botanist).

Ed Leuck explains the differences between the two plants

Ed Leuck, Pam Grassmick, and Beth Leuck

Video Interview of Ed Leuck on the plants in Port St. James HERE

Beaver Island Veterans Project (BIVP)

The Beaver Island community, AMVETS Post 46, and local friends of veterans are proud to announce the formation of the Beaver Island Veterans Project (BIVP). The BIVP's first-year project is to invite a disabled veteran to the island for a retreat of several days. A public presentation may also be given by the visiting veteran during that time. We are currently in contact with the Gaylord and Saginaw MI VA centers to find a worthy candidate for this program. The BIVP will be hosting special fund-raisers this August and September to support this effort. AMVETS Post #46 will be accepting tax-deductible donations for the BIVP and it's programs. Volunteer support is welcome and appreciated, so please watch this space for updates.

For more information, please contact Dickie McEvoy at 231-448-2799 or mcevoy0403@aol.com, or Jean Kinsley at 231-448-2856

Run Beaver Island on Labor Day Weekend

You can plan a visit and invite a friend to the Beaver Island ½ Marathon, 10K and 5K. A new improved route for the 1/2 marathon route has been designed along with a port-a-john and more water stations. The shirts for this event will be performance fabric. Added to this year is a 10K route in additional to the 1/2 marathon and 5K. This year you can bring your pet with you on the 5K, and there will be a pet prize given for the best time. The proceeds for this Run Beaver Island event will go to the Beaver Island Rural Health Center.

Complete run info: http://beaverisland.org/run to learn about visiting Beaver Island please see www.beaverisland.org . Please share the information with a friend.

 

Lake Michigan Islands Management Plan

now available for review

The Department of Natural Resources invites those interested in the management of the Lake Michigan islands to review, ask questions and provide input on the draft Northern Lake Michigan Islands Management Plan.

This plan addresses state-managed land administered by the DNR on Beaver, Garden, High, Hog, North Fox, South Fox and Whiskey islands. In May and November 2014, the DNR hosted public meetings to gather input from island residents, partners, tribal governments, local governments and conservation organizations. Information from these meetings then was used to draft the plan.

“It’s been a great process of pulling together many different interests on the use of the state-managed land on Lake Michigan islands,” said DNR field operations manager Keith Kintigh. “We’ve used the information gathered to draft a management plan, and it’s now ready to be reviewed.”

Those who would like to comment on the draft plan are asked to email kintighk@michigan.gov before Aug. 31 or attend an open house Monday, July 20, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Beaver Island Community School, 37895 King’s Highway on Beaver Island.

Flood Area at Gull Harbor

The area out on the northern portion near Whiskey Point called Gull Harbor is flooded. Portions of the road at Gull Harbor and down near the "car wash" are flooded across the road. Several vehicles continue to drive through this flooded area churning up the gravel and clay into muddy, mucky mess. The CCRC, the road commission, has posted the ends of the road as 'Flood area' and getting stuck down there is your own fault. This roadway should be temporarily blocked off to prevent traffic. The trail area out at Gull Harbor is still accessible, and there are lots of trails behind the trail area to allow you to walk.

Posted near Whiskey Point Light on Gull Harbor Drive

Three pictures from the Whiskey Point entrance to Gull Harbor.

Three pictures from the 'car wash' end of Gull Harbor Drive

The high water isn't bothering this common tern.

Library Hours

The Beaver Island District Library will now be staying open until 8 pm on Thursday evenings and opening at 11 am Saturday mornings.

So BIDL hours are as follows:

Monday: 10-6
Tuesday: 10-6
Wednesday: 10-6
Thursday: 10-8
Friday: 10-6
Saturday: 11-5