|
|
 History of SWEMS SW Minnesota
History of SWEMS
The Southwest Minnesota EMS Corporation (SWEMS) is a legal,
non-profit corporation which was incorporated in February, 1979. It
has been developed by, or in conjunction with, all major area
organizations concerned with emergency care development. The primary
purpose of the Corporation is to provide improvement in emergency
medical services and to do any and all things necessary, appropriate,
or incident to the accomplishment of this purpose.
The Southwest Minnesota EMS Region consists of the eighteen Minnesota
counties of Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi,
Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles,
Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift and Yellow Medicine
which cover 12,011 square miles. The Southwest Minnesota EMS
Region is basically rural and completely non-metropolitan.
There are presently 28 hospitals, 60 ambulance services, 72
first responder teams, 53 municipal law enforcement agencies,
18 county sheriff’s departments. Annual meetings are held that
include all of these members, who serve as advisory members to
the Southwest Minnesota EMS Corporate Board of Directors through
these meetings, contact with their county’s representative to the
SWEMS Corporate Board of Directors and other various contacts.
The SWEMS Corporate Board of Directors consists of eighteen members
plus a Medical Director. All eighteen Corporate Board members are
appointed by the individual County Boards within the Region.
Following the Corporate Board re-organizational appointments in July,
2000, one-third of the new appointments served a one year term,
one-third a two year term and one-third a threes year term after
which time all members will serve a three year term with a maximum
of six years served. At present there are nine EMS personnel and
nine who are either publicly elected officials (6), Hospital
administrators (1), Emergency Managers (1) or former publicly elected
officials (1). The overall fiscal and operational management of the
SWEMS Corporation is provided by the 18 member Board of Directors.
The Board is responsible for all activities of the Corporation, its
committees and its staff.
Best viewed with Internet Explorer
|