News

Lana Poirier
Paramedic
Trinity EMS

Lana Poirier started at Trinity EMS in September of 2019. She began her time with Trinity EMS as an advanced EMT and quickly obtained her paramedic license. Since then, she is always striving to better herself clinically and operationally whether it’s reviewing protocols with her peers or trying to learn more about the ICS system with the supervisors. Lana is also a strong employee advocate for Trinity always taking the time to encourage and teach new EMT’s and fellow new paramedics, treating her peers as family. Since joining Trinity, Lana has been an awesome addition to the Trinity Family and is top of the list when recruiting new EMT or Paramedics to come join our team.

One of her peers said, “Lana is a dedicated provider to every patient she encounters and we are lucky to have her!”.

Another said, “Lana provides excellent patient care and strives hard to be kind and better herself and fellow employees.”

Shawn Hunter, EMT-B
Education Manager
Trinity EMS

Shawn Hunter has been an EMT-B with Trinity EMS since 2016. Quickly moving up the ranks, Shawn became the Education Manager for Trinity in 2018. Shawn works tirelessly for Trinity, getting involved in all facets of the Operations and IT department. Shawn is the lead on many new projects within Trinity, including most recently, Trinity’s efforts in battling the COVID 19 pandemic. Shawn was the point person for all things COVID, making enormous sacrifices on keeping up with the ever changing (sometimes daily) regulations in EMS and informing the entire Trinity Family. Shawn followed up with all employees who had potential exposure as well as the contact tracing. He also leapt into the COVID 19 mobile testing sites and later the COVID 19 vaccination sites. Shawn continually goes above and beyond his day to day efforts to help all members of the Trinity family. One employee said, “Shawn has showed professionalism and displayed the highest quality of care to patients, employee and employee’s families during this pandemic”. Another said, “I’ve worked with Shawn for years and he is always looking for ways to improve the lives of those around him - whether work related or helping someone through a touch call they may have had.”

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is converting all exit numbers on freeways to a milepost-based numbering system, per Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requirement. Currently, interstates and freeways in Massachusetts utilize a sequential exit numbering method. MassDOT has committed to the implementation of mile-based with construction scheduled to begin late in the Summer of 2020. Download a flyer or read more at www.newmassexits.com.

Thank you to all member organizations who voted in the MAA elections. Your new board is:

• Dennis Cataldo
• John Chemaly
• Bill Mergendahl
• Patrick S. Tyler

Nominations are now open for the MAA Board of Directors. Nominations will be accepted until midnight on December 13, 2019.

Each company may make one nomination for a board member.

Voting will begin on December 14, 2019 and will end on December 31^st at 11:59 p.m.

ALL NOMINATIONS ARE TO BE EMAILED TO GENERAL COUNSEL AT ccifra@cgdllaw.com. 

The Massachusetts Department of Paid Family & Medical Leave has posted an announcement regarding the three month delay for the Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) employer contributions. 

It was announced earlier this week that the Governor, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House signed an agreement to delay the employer contributions that were supposed to start on July 1, 2019 until October 1, 2019. 

In the announcement they confirmed that there is a corresponding three month delay for an employer’s requirement to provide each employee with a Paid Family Medical Leave Notice.  Also, the announcement confirmed that the Department will increase the employer contribution rate from .63% to .75% of employee wages in order to ensure the delayed funding does not impact the ability to pay benefits starting next year. 

The announcement also stated that the final regulations will be posted to their website by June 17, 2019. 

Thank you to Scott Moore, Esq of Moore EMS Consulting for providing this update.

Get micro-updates from YOUR association on Twitter at @MassAmbulance!

The Massachusetts Ambulance Association is proud to introduce the 2019 #StarsofLife from our home state. Meet these truly exceptional #mobilehealthcare providers from Cataldo Ambulance Service, Armstrong Ambulance Service *Official Page*, and Action Ambulance Service Inc. at https://ems.zone/19MAstars! #SupportEMS #NotJustaRide

The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has released template notices employers may use to fulfill the notice requirement to employees and 1099-MISC independent contractors under the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA), G.L. c. 175M. Employers must provide a notice to their current workforce by May 31, 2019.

Read more at The National Law Review.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Robert Cataldo, President of Cataldo Ambulance Service. Robert was a leader for decades, and inspired thousands of mobile healthcare professionals. Our thoughts are with the Cataldo family and staff.

The post below will be updated to include funeral arrangements as they are announced.