RETAC History

Background:

The Southeastern Colorado RETAC was formed via the passage of Colorado SB 00-180 and clarified later with HB 02-1440.  These two bills had set the funding and statutory foundation for the development of the regional and statewide RETAC system.

RETAC Power Point Presentation

Prior to the statutory requirement in 2000, this region had an Area Trauma Advisory Council (ATAC) and Regional EMS Council that encompassed the same counties as the present RETAC.  Beginning in 1995, these two Councils worked together to improve, coordinate, and develop the EMS and trauma capabilities within this Region.

With similar goals and the requirement to create a regional council, both memberships transitioned to form what is now the Southeastern Colorado Regional Emergency Medical & Trauma Advisory Council (S.E.C.R.E.T.A.C.)

The SECRETAC was established as a 501(C)(3) Not-for-Profit Organization.  The ATAC sought legal advice to develop the Non-for-Profit status and the Article of Incorporation that ended with the formal approval of the 501(C)(3) Not-for-Profit on Dec 2nd 1999.  The next two and one-half years were dedicated in building the Regional Council, development of the operational structure, hiring a Regional Coordinator, improving system integration, and meeting the requirements as set forth in SB 00-180 and by the CDPHE contract requirements.

In the spring of 2006 the council approved the fiscal operations to be relocated to the Otero Junior College, Finance Department.  The memorandum of agreement (MOU) signed by the council and the president of OJC, Mr. Jim Rizzuto, identifies the college as the fiscal agent for SECRETAC.  The council and board still have responsibility for the overall management of the organization and the staff.  The current coordinator reports to the council and all management policies, procedures and reports are subject to the standards and requirements of the community college system of Colorado.  OJC provides at no cost an office on campus in the McBride building, in the Informational Technology (IT) department.  OJC also provides office equipment and access to both IT professionals and all disciplines within the school.  This provides the coordinator with technical assistance from a variety of professional colleagues.  One of the main goals of this collaboration is too build and develop a working relationship with the Community College System and to work on future collaboration for regional EMTS community educational systems development.

In spring of 2004 the State Auditors classified the SECRETAC from a state prospectus as a “Quasi –Government”. This caused the region to add to the fiscal reporting by having to complete an Exemption of Audit with the State Auditors.  This did not exclude us from filing our federal 990 and an audit that is required by the CDPHE Contract. Currently, the OJC Finance Department handles all fiscal matters.  The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment/EMTS Section will institute audits in the (GAGE) formats, which OJC already complies to.

This process has established a professional relationship between the 6 EMST systems, county governments, local agencies, facilities, and other related organizations, which strive to build an EMST system that meets the needs of all patients.