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CALHOUN COUNTY MEDICAL CONTROL AUTHORITY (CCMCA)

The Calhoun County Medical Control Authority (CCMCA) operates under Public Act 368 of 1978 Section 333.20918 of Michigan law. It is responsible for the oversight and direction of all pre-hospital medical operations as defined by the law. This includes ambulance services, medical first response organizations, fire departments that respond to medical emergencies and non-ambulatory transport services. The establishment of the CCMCA allowed for the use of Advanced Life Support (ALS) by pre-hospital providers in the county. The CCMCA Medical Control Board acts as both an Advisory Board and Medical Control Board.

 CCMCA Links

Additional CCMCA Information

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Contact the Calhoun County MCA

 

Dr. Ginger Swiderski
Physician Medical Director
swiderskimd@gmail.com

Clark Imus, MA, BAS, EMT-P, I/C
Secretary/Treasurer
imusc@kellogg.edu 
269-565-2650

CCMCA Voting Board Members

  • Dorothy Malcolm – Chairperson
  • Theresa Dawson – Vice Chair
  • Dr. Ginger Swiderski – Medical Director
  • Nick Smith – At Large EMS Advisory Committee Board Member
  • Clark Imus – Secretary/Treasure Kellogg Community College

EMS Advisory Committee/Representatives

  • Dr. Ginger Swiderski, Emergency Department Physician (Medical Director)
  • Vacant, Emergency Department Physician (Assistant Medical Director)
  • Dorothy Malcolm, Bronson Battle Creek Hospital Administrator
  • Theresa Dawson, Oaklawn Hospital Administrator
  • Kathy Cowels, Bronson Battle Creek Emergency Department
  • Angie Brown, Oaklawn Hospital Emergency Department
  • Steve Frisbie, LifeCare Ambulance
  • Nick Smith, Marshall Area Firefighter Ambulance Authority
  • Brian Walls, Albion Community Ambulance
  • Marty Erskine, Urban Medical First Responder
  • Daryl Cummins, Rural Medical First Responder
  • Clark Imus, Kellogg Community College Training Representative
  • Michael Armitage, Emergency Services Dispatch Administrator

Click here for the current CCMCA Board, EMS Advisory Committee, and PSRO Roster.

Calhoun County MCA: Documents

Calhoun County MCA 2023 Protocols

  1. Section 1 General Treatment PDF
  2. Section 2 Trauma PDF
  3. Section 3 Adult Treatment PDF
  4. Section 4 Peds OB PDF
  5. Section 5 Adult Cardiac PDF
  6. Section 6 Pediatric Cardiac PDF
  7. Section 7 Procedures PDF
  8. Section 8 Systems PDF
  9. Section 9 Medications PDF
  10. Section 10 Special Operations PDF
Calhoun County MCA: FAQs

Why does the CCMCA exist?

The State of Michigan requires that if a transporting agency wants to provide higher medical care than the Basic EMT level, they must have a Medical Control Authority who will oversee that care. Within Calhoun County, that decision was made in 1988 when Leila Hospital established the CCMCA. This allowed for Advanced Life Support procedures to be done by pre-hospital providers. What resulted were lives saved and the quality of care increased in the Calhoun County area.

Why is the CCMCA located and managed through Kellogg Community College?

This is part of a win-win arrangement for both organizations. Kellogg Community College was in need of the services of a Medical Director for its EMS Programs. The CCMCA was in need of clerical, financial, and support services for its operation. After discussions between the two organizations, a decision was made to merge the operations into one. Both organizations have had a positive working relationship and success as a result of this action.

How is the CCMCA funded?

The CCMCA receives its funding from voting members. These include hospitals, ambulance services and education services. The Hospitals pay approximately 75% of the yearly operating budget and the ambulance services 25%. The exact amount is determined by a formula that is based on Emergency Department Visits. Kellogg Community College also pays a flat fee into this budget.

How is the CCMCA governed?

The CCMCA is governed by the Board of Directors. This is composed of board members representing each of the components of the EMS System. Depending on the position, there are voting members and non-voting members. The Executive board provides leadership and is composed of a Medical Director, Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary-Treasurer and Member-at-Large.

What does the CCMCA do?

The CCMCA is responsible for overseeing and providing medical direction to all pre-hospital agencies that have a duty to respond to medical emergencies. This includes ambulance services, first responder organizations (police, fire and public safety), and medical first response teams. This oversight includes creating protocols, monitoring the actions of providers and individuals, and reviewing effectiveness of pre-hospital operations.

All licensed pre-hospital agencies must have endorsement from the CCMCA to operate within Calhoun County. An agency agrees to abide by the protocols and direction of the CCMCA as part of this endorsement. As part of this process, the organization must provide the CCMCA with a list of the licensed individuals within their organization, along with up-to-date certifications such as CPR, Basic Trauma Life Support, ACLS, etc.

The CCMCA also provides interest-free loans to pre-hospital transporting agencies to update and acquire new equipment for use in the pre-hospital setting. This loan is part of a grant originally established by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Over the past years, it has been directly responsible for improving the quality of care in Calhoun County.

Does CCMCA have anything to do with Homeland Security?

Yes. The CCMCA works with Homeland Security by aiding in the response to disaster situations. These can be due to acts of terrorism, nature or accidents. CCMCA works within the command posts of the County Emergency Operations Center and City of Battle Creek Emergency Operations Center should an emergency occur. CCMCA also participates in yearly drills to increase the effectiveness of pre-hospital providers in an emergency. The CCMCA has a Biohazard trailer used for response to biohazardous materials and in training.

What are pre-hospital protocols?

Pre-hospital protocols are the medical direction given for licensed pre-hospital personnel to follow when presented with various medical conditions in a patient. They provide both direction so that the quality of medical treatment is within the standard of care for that level of license.

Where do the pre-hospital protocols come from?

The pre-hospital protocols are actually part of a larger set of protocols developed at the regional and state level. Once received, the protocols are reviewed for conformance to the needs of the Calhoun County area. Changes are made when necessary, and the protocol is approved by the CCMCA board based on the Medical Director’s recommendation. The State of Michigan EMS Coordination Committee must ultimately approve the protocol for it to be implemented.

How does the CCMCA monitor pre-hospital providers and individuals?

The CCMCA has an established Public Standard Review Organization Committee that meets on a regular basis to review calls from all aspects of the pre-hospital and hospital setting. As part of this review process, the individual’s actions are compared to the protocols for consistency and proper application. Both the individuals who participated in a call and providers are involved in this process. In addition, specific protocols are reviewed for effectiveness in various situations. Changes are made, based on what is learned within this review.

The CCMCA also reviews specific complaints or issues brought before it by the general public, agencies or licensed providers. Every complaint is investigated. Actions are taken that are consistent with what is learned within the investigation. These can include the suspension of an individual’s right to practice within the Medical Control Authority and recommendation to the State of Michigan for further actions.

What are the levels of pre-hospital providers?

Medical First Responder, Basic EMT, Specialist EMT, Paramedic and EMS Instructor-Coordinator.

What does a Medical First Responder do?

 Medical First Responders stabilize the patient until the ambulance arrives. They provide lifesaving procedures and techniques to allow the patient to move to the next phase in pre-hospital medicine, transport to the hospital. All techniques performed by the MFR are at the Basic Life Support level. Generally, the techniques an MFR performs do not penetrate the body. The training program for an MFR usually lasts between 64 – 80 hours in length.

What does a Basic EMT do?

Besides all of the actions an MFR may perform, this is the first level that allows an individual to work on a transporting ambulance. Basic EMT’s have a greater knowledgebase than MFR’s. While they still perform at the Basic Life Support level, they also have the ability to administer some medications and can perform more skills. A Basic EMT’s education usually lasts between 200 – 250 hours.

What does a Specialist EMT do?

Besides all of the skills and knowledgebase of a Basic EMT, the Specialist can administer Intravenous fluids and insert advanced airways into a patient. A Specialist must first license at the Basic EMT level before they are allowed to progress to the Specialist level. Besides the hours spent at the Basic EMT level, Specialists usually take an additional 75 – 125 hours of education.

What does a Paramedic do?

Paramedics are currently the highest level of pre-hospital licensing. Besides all the knowledgebase and procedures of all the previous levels, they can perform Advanced Life Support procedures. The medical knowledgebase of a Paramedic is significantly greater than all other levels. Critical thinking skills, rapid application of protocols, and honed psychomotor skills are a requirement at this level. Besides the Basic EMT level of training, Paramedics require an additional 750 – 1,250 hours of education to become proficient.

What does an EMS Instructor/Coordinator do?

EMS Instructors / Coordinators are responsible for educating the other levels of EMS licensing. These individuals are licensed at the Basic EMT, Specialist EMT or Paramedic level. In addition, they are knowledgeable in how to best educate others in art of EMS. After three years of field experience at one of the other levels, EMS I / C’s must take an additional 150 – 200 hours of education.

I’m interested in becoming an EMT. How do I start?

Contact the Kellogg Community College EMS Program at 269-565-2650. KCC offers all levels of EMS licensing.

I have a concern or question for the CCMCA. How do I contact them?

For questions, contact the CCMCA at 269-660-2364.

For complaints, please complete the EMS Concern/Complaint form here.

Calhoun County MCA: Board Meeting Minutes

2023 Minutes

2022 Minutes

2021 Minutes

2020 Minutes

2019 Minutes

2018 Minutes

2017 Minutes

2016 Minutes

2015 Minutes

2014 Minutes

Calhoun County MCA: Protocol Training


More information on online protocol testing coming soon.

Please contact Clark Imus at imusc@kellogg.edu for any questions.

Calhoun County MCA: Professional Standard Review Organization (PSRO)

Recurrent Case Review

  • Medication Assisted Intubation
  • Needle Decompression
  • Cardioversion
  • Needle Cricothyrotomy
  • OB Delivery
  • Pediatric Arrest
  • Pediatric Medication Administration
  • VTP, SVT (Adult >150, Ped >220), High AV Blocks

Monthly Case Review

  • January: Pain Management
  • February: Toxicology
  • March: Advanced Airway Management (ETT, IGel, Etc.)
  • April: High-risk medication administration (Ketamine, TXA, Adenosine)
  • June: STEMI Care
  • July: Infectious (sepsis)
  • August: Trauma Emergent Transport
  • September: CVA/TIA
  • October: Allergic Reaction
  • November: Pediatric
  • December: Geriatric Falls

 

Intermuscular Epinephrine Injection Training Resources

 

Calhoun County Medical Control Authority is now authorizing MFR and Basic EMTs to administer Epinephrine via Intermuscular Injection, with approval from the CCMCA. Below you will find resources to complete the necessary training.

  1. Watch CCMCA Training Video or Complete department training using the provided PowerPoint.
  2. Complete skills training and evaluation using the CCMCA IM Epinephrine Injection Skill Sheet
  3. Complete the online quiz with a score of 70% or higher (paper quiz also provided)
  4. Submit Training records to CCMCA@kellogg.edu
  5. Training is good for one calendar year from the time of completion

Training Resources

Please contact Clark Imus at imusc@kellogg.edu for any questions.

“There is no higher honor than to be given the responsibility to care for another human being.”

Richard K. Schachern