Inside EMS (EMS1 Podcasts)

This week on Inside EMS, our cohosts discuss a recent study out of UC Davis Health that highlights the benefits of using naloxone in opioid-associated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest response. Chris and Kelly discuss the results and debate how this knowledge could impact OHCA protocols.

Top quotes

• “If you look at the … survival of hospital discharge, the number needed to treat was 26. So 1 in 26 patients you would do this to has a chance of surviving the hospital discharge. That's pretty compelling. It's going to change my practice.” — Kelly Grayson

• “It's obviously needed information considering how bad the opioid overdose epidemic is in the United States. The numbers are compelling – the fact that this affects so many of our out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and that this actually shows pretty strong evidence of improved outcome.” — Kelly Grayson

• “We think about over the past 20 years, and now with fentanyl being part of that process, we're starting to see a lot more [drug-related cardiac arrests] and there's an urgent need for this evidence that allows us to now figure out if Narcan can make a difference in OHCAs.” — Chris Cebollero

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

After 30 years in EMS in Louisiana, the past 15 as a critical care paramedic, Kelly Grayson is leaving the Bayou state – and the rig – for a full-time paramedic educator role in New York.

Kelly will begin his position as the lead instructor as the lead instructor for the new CoAEMSP-accredited paramedic program at Clarkson University in Pottstown, New York, in August.

Chris and Kelly discuss what motivated Kelly to make this leap, and what happens when you change jobs and have to prepare for the next chapter.

Memorable quotes from this episode

“I can render no higher praise for an EMS agency than to say they let me do my job without handcuffs.”

“When we lose a longtime member of the workforce – it hurts – and I hate to be the one to do that.”

“You never want to burn a bridge. Even if you hate the place you work, you never know that you may have to go back to them one day and say, you know, ‘are you looking for any help?’”

“If I make a commitment to a place, I’ll follow their rules, cheerfully.”

“Make yourself valuable to prospective employers. If you’re not happy where you are, you can make a good living at EMS, you can have career satisfaction in EMS. You might not be able to have those things at the place you are currently.”

“It’s an employee’s market right now.”

“Vote with your feet.”

Together, they discuss:

• When it’s time to make a career change
• The skills you need when you come off the truck
• Shifting the paradigm in EMS education
• Developing and standing up a new paramedic program
• Bringing affordable EMS education to rural communities
• How to leave a position without burning bridges

This week our cohosts are talking about everyone’s favorite activity: public speaking. While you may not love talking to a crowd, knowing how to effectively deliver a presentation is not just for leaders. Providers at all levels should know how to communicate on a complex topic to a group of people. And who knows more about expounding on complex EMS topics than Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson?

The pair highlight their extensive experience as educators and industry speakers, discussing:

• The key components of effective public speaking
• How to make presentations more dynamic
• Why you should be intimately familiar with your material
• Tips and tricks for new public speakers

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by LogRx. Learn a better way to track your narcotics at LogRx.com.

New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans are always a spectacle, but this year, tragedy struck at 3:15 a.m. A truck barreled into the crowds, triggering what first responders feared was a vehicle-ramming attack. Within moments, New Orleans EMS was in full mass casualty mode — triaging, treating and coordinating with law enforcement amid the unfolding chaos. But things quickly escalated. As Chief Bill Salmeron recounts, responders soon discovered not only multiple critical patients, but also a shootout, a downed suspect and the chilling realization that explosive devices had been planted nearby. 

In this gripping episode, Chief Salmeron shares the inside story of how his team handled one of the most intense incidents in recent New Orleans history. He walks through the initial response, communication challenges and how well-drilled interagency coordination played a pivotal role. But beyond the logistics, he also speaks to the emotional toll — how EMS crews handled the psychological weight of triaging patients, working alongside grieving families and processing the magnitude of the event in the days after. 

Top quotes

“You don’t see that many fatalities in one place with possible explosives, an active shooter — or at least you shouldn’t in a civilian EMS world — but we do.” — Chief Bill Salmeron

"Anybody can command a scene. You don't have to be a paramedic. You don't have to be a chief or a doctor or whatever it is." — Chief Bill Salmeron

Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this special edition of EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence is joined by Mike Taigman, improvement guide at FirstWatch, and Nicole Holm, MA, BCC, a chaplain with Allina Health Emergency Medical Services.  This edition was recorded the day after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Holm and Taigman discuss resilience and the role of chaplaincy in EMS. The conversation identifies coping strategies and methods to prepare a workforce to deal with such levels of mental trauma in the future.

Read more: Uvalde aftermath: What should we do today? - “Sadly, this isn’t the last time we will see these headlines, but for us, today, put the tourniquet away and focus on the heart and soul of those in our charge.”

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

“Tell me a time when you were stressed and how you dealt with it.”

You’ve like heard, answered or asked a variation of that question in one or more interviews during your career. But how can interviewers get more from their questions?

In this episode of Inside EMS, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss a recent article by Lexipol Editorial Director, Greg Friese, MS, NRP; “How to use ChatGPT for paramedic interviewing, selection.”

In the article, Greg outlines how leaders can use Chat GPT to craft panel interview questions, and a sample prompt:

I am interviewing applicants for a full-time job as a paramedic at a busy, private ambulance service that responds to 911 calls and interfacility transport requests. One component of the process is a panel interview with the operations supervisor, a field training officer and an experienced paramedic. Recommend five scenario-based questions the panel should ask each applicant. 

In this episode, Chris and Kelly put Greg’s prompt to the test and debate, should we be using AI in our daily work in EMS?

Tune in to this episode

Listen in as our hosts discuss:

• Other use cases for generative AI in EMS – from scenarios to deployment plans
• How AI is a potential resources – as well as a potential headache – for educators
• Takeaways from the recent 2023 NAEMSE Symposium
• Flattening the forgetting curve – retaining training

And don’t miss a side debate: is there a case for prehospital ultrasound?

Memorable quotes

“When we think about interviewing, that’s when people really will put the dog on; they are giving us the very best of who they are and we are just getting answers to questions that may or may not be true, and we really have to try to decipher, but how do we challenge these people who are coming in?” — Chris Cebollero

“Our dean walked into the office and said, ‘I need you all to start thinking about how we can use ChatGPT and generative AI to enhance and augment our paramedic program.” — Kelly Grayson

“The better you are at writing prompts and giving it some specific direction, the better content it’s going to churn out for you.” — Kelly Grayson

Let us know how you’re using AI in EMS: contact editor@ems1.com.

Rate and review

Catch a new episode of Inside EMS every Friday on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, PodBean, Amazon Music, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS feed.

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or if you’d like to join us as a guest.

In this episode of Inside EMS, our Cohosts, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson, break down the skills needed to be a servant leader.

Notable quotes from this episode

“My job as a leader is to get work done through other people.”

“The true measurement of leadership success is how engaged, satisfied and productive the workforce is.”

“What I believe as a leader is that my job as the chief of the department is not any more important than your job of working on the ambulance. It’s that we have different roles and responsibilities for reaching the vision.”

“The most important component of servant leadership is realizing that it’s an honor for you to be in the position that you’re in and you can get taken out of that position as fast as you were put into it.”

Together, they discuss:

• Chris’s recent article and video on servant leadership
• Reversing the organization chart
• Practicing responsibility upward
• The skills a servant leader should bring to the table

Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or if you’d like to join us as a guest.

In this week’s episode of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive into a vital topic: the culture of accountability in EMS. Sparked by FireRescue1’s Chief Marc Bashoor’s thought-provoking article, "Where is our culture of accountability?", the hosts explore why change is so difficult to embrace, how leadership impacts culture and what steps agencies can take to help foster accountability across an organization. From managing expectations to addressing fairness in discipline, our cohosts discuss the challenges of enforcing standards and avoiding the normalization of deviance. Whether it's implementing safety protocols or shifting organizational norms, this episode unpacks how leaders and teams can work together to inspire meaningful change.

Quotable takeaways

• “The only one who likes change is a wet baby.” — Kelly Grayson
• “If you don’t correct something, that thing becomes the new standard.” — Kelly Grayson
• “Vision is where we’re going; strategy is how we’re going to get there and culture is the behavior of the organization in reaching the vision.” — Chris Cebollero
• “Turnover isn’t the end of the world.” — Kelly Grayson

----more----

ABOUT THE SPONSOR Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.

RATE & REVIEW

Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

In this episode of Inside EMS, host Chris Cebollero shares five tips for becoming the best industry professional possible, and stressed the importance of behaving like a leader, regardless of position. 

Cebollero's advice touches on the importance of acting like a leader, focusing on skill growth, staying in control of your emotions, advancing your listening skills and showcasing your professionalism at every turn. 

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

Fresh off their appearance at EMS World Expo, Inside EMS cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson break down what it takes to become a successful conference speaker. The duo discuss the process for getting engaged in events at both the state and national level, how to develop a professional presentation, the agonizing-but-cathartic process of crafting a catchy title and the critical need for to fully prepare before the event. 

To cap off the episode, Chris gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at his personal preparation process ahead of a speaking engagement. 

• Conference dos and don’ts
• How to select education sessions at an EMS conference
• EMS conferences: 10 reasons for volunteers to attend
• 10 ways to get the most out of a virtual conference

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this year's Inside EMS year-in-review episode, our cohosts, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson, take a critical look at the major incidents that defined EMS in 2023. Together, they tackle:

Paramedics behaving badly

The episode begins with a focus on the troubling trend of subpar patient care and missteps. The hosts emphasize the importance of delivering compassionate and professional care on every call. They discuss the case in which EMS providers faced charges of first-degree murder after a patient died due to positional asphyxia, underscoring the need for accountability in the profession.

Violence against providers

Next, the hosts address the increasing incidents of violence against EMTs, including stabbings and assaults. They highlight the need for better safety measures and policies to protect EMS personnel.

Criminalization of medical errors

Shifting gears, the hosts delve into instances of medical errors, such as administering the wrong drug. They stress the critical importance of delivering high-quality patient care on every call, regardless of the nature of the complaint.

Focus on CPR

The discussion then turns to a dramatic moment in the NFL when Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after a hit during a game. The hosts commend the quick response of athletic staff and paramedics, emphasizing the significance of well-executed resuscitation efforts.

The demise of ET3

Finally, Chris and Kelly address the unexpected premature end of the ET3 model, a pilot program aimed at improving EMS care and reimbursement. The hosts express disappointment in CMS's decision and question the rationale behind it.

In conclusion, this year-in-review podcast provides valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of the EMS field in the past year. It highlights the need for accountability, safety measures and ongoing efforts to improve patient care and EMS policies.

Memorable quote:

"Every single call that we run has to be done with the utmost dedication, commitment, professionalism, as if it was the last or maybe even the first EMS call we've ever run. Complacency is what kills there."

EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, hosts Chris Cebollero Kelly Grayson delve into the intricacies of patient assessments in emergency medical situations. They dissect the value of thorough assessments versus focused evaluations, highlighting the critical role of differential diagnosis and the dire need for feedback in honing EMS skills.

The duo debate whether a detailed head-to-toe assessment is always necessary or if a focused assessment based on the chief complaint suffices. Chris opines that a thorough examination provides a fuller picture, vital in cases where patients may not have seen a healthcare professional in years. Kelly, on the other hand, advocates for a focused approach, emphasizing efficiency and relevancy to the primary complaint, especially in high-pressure emergency scenarios.

The dialogue unveils a significant challenge in EMS education and practice – the delineation between a medical and trauma assessment, and the traditional versus a more systems-based approach to patient evaluations. They both acknowledge that the nature and depth of assessments could vary based on the patient's ability to participate in the examination.

One eye-opening anecdote from Chris revealed a situation where a misdiagnosis by a doctor led to a critical oversight in patient care, underscoring the importance of independent assessments and differential diagnosis in EMS practice. Chris shares a valuable lesson from this experience, emphasizing the need to "talk oneself into the diagnosis" rather than accepting a preliminary diagnosis at face value.

Kelly also addressed a fundamental challenge in EMS – the lack of feedback, which stifles the opportunity for professionals to refine their assessment skills and knowledge base. He asks, "how difficult it is to improve the art of assessment and your skills if you don't get feedback?"

The hosts encourage EMS professionals to share their insights and best practices, acknowledging the collective effort required to enhance patient assessment methodologies and ultimately, patient care. They wrap up the discussion with an invitation for listener feedback, fostering an ongoing dialogue to advance EMS practice.

The episode serves as a catalyst for a broader conversation on patient assessment best practices, urging EMS practitioners to continually evaluate and refine their approach towards patient care, thereby enhancing the overall quality and efficacy of emergency medical services.

RATE AND REVIEW

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or if you’d like to join us as a guest.

EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors. 

This year, EMS brought more than its fair share of jaw-dropping moments, and as we wrap up 2024, we’re revisiting five of the craziest stories that made headlines. From a massive chemical plant fire in Texas prompting a shelter-in-place order, to a sand hole tragedy on a Florida beach, these events highlight the unpredictability of EMS work.

Ever had a crash victim ejected so far from their vehicle, they landed on a roof? That’s exactly what happened in Michigan. Or a tractor-trailer cab dangling precariously off a bridge? Louisville firefighters made a daring rescue of a semi-driver in just such a predicament. And let’s not forget the aquarium at a Texas hospital that literally cushioned the blow of a car crashing into the ER. Turns out, those tropical fish weren’t just for decoration after all.

These stories remind us that no call is ever routine, and the unpredictable nature of EMS keeps us on our toes. It’s also a good reminder to revisit training and be ready for the “what-ifs,” from trench rescues to chemical response protocols.

Quotables

• “In public safety, everybody’s an expert about someone else’s call.”
• “If you work a wreck after midnight and don’t find a drunk, keep looking — someone is missing.”
• “The body can take a crazy amount of trauma and still survive.”
• “All I can think is some hospital administrator somewhere is saying, ‘See? That aquarium was worth it.’”
• “Dark humor isn’t always the best coping mechanism, but it’s how we survive the job.”

Top 5 craziest EMS calls of 2024

• Aquarium likely saved lives when car crashed into Texas ED
• 2 dead, dozens injured in hazmat leak at Texas refinery
• 911 calls from fatal Fla. sand hole collapse released
• Ejected in fiery crash, Mich. driver lands on roof of house
• Dash cam video shows Ky. truck left hanging off bridge after crash

Enjoying the show? Email the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

ABOUT THE SPONSOR Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

As the industry waits for more details in the case involving two Illinois EMTs charged with murder in the death of a patient, cohosts Kelly Grayson and Chris Cebollero discuss the lack of compassion show by the providers and the scourge of apathy that plagues EMS. The conversation explores how EMS leaders can help keep industry personnel on a more professional path.

"Members of the workforce will stay for low pay if they are treated well, or good pay if they are not treated well, but they won’t stay for both.” — Kelly Grayson

"We must define our own professionalism, and every call we go on now has the opportunity to become a national news event. It is not 'if' but 'when.'" — Chris Cebollero

• Malpractice or murder: When do EMS providers cross the line from negligence to a crime?
• Video: Is deeply disturbing patient care murder?
• Listen: 'How does this happen?' – Wolfberg and Wirth weigh in on EMT murder charges
• You've seen the video; now what? 14 action steps for EMS leaders to root out bad behavior
• You’ve seen the footage – Now what? Part 2: 15 steps for providers to compassionate care 
• Prone positioning: Therapy or apathy?

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson delve into the crucial role of preceptors in EMS training and the impact they have on shaping the future of the profession. They emphasize the significance of preceptors as the "keepers of the flame" who pass on traditions and knowledge to new generations of EMS providers.

Memorable quotes

• "Preceptors have a fundamental understanding of their role in shaping the future of the profession." — Kelly Grayson
• "Legacy. The keepers of the flame are not the instructors. They're not the officers. Officers come and go, but the preceptors are the keepers of the flame and pass on the traditions." — Kelly Grayson
• "Preceptors are probably the most important component of EMS education." — Kelly Grayson

The hosts discuss the challenges and responsibilities of being a preceptor, emphasizing the need for preceptors to understand their role in shaping the future of EMS. They also touch on the importance of legacy and how preceptors play a pivotal role in maintaining and passing down the profession's traditions.

Grayson underscores the value of preceptors, highlighting that they are the individuals who can guide and mentor new EMS providers, ultimately affecting the lives of countless patients. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing preceptors as vital contributors to EMS education.

Listen to next: ‘You don’t know everything there is to know about EMS’

EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson analyze the most popular stories of the week, beginning with an incident in Rochester, New York, where an EMT hit a police officer's squad car that was parked in the ambulance bay with the rig door, leading to the officer eventually handcuffing the provider. 

Our co-hosts then discuss the statement put out by the NAEMSP regarding NREMT's change to education standards – which is open for public comment until Aug. 17. 

The talk then turns to an assault of a paramedic and nurse after a patient was placed in triage at a local hospital. Every EMS organization should be aware of the rise in violence and have a plan in place to keep EMS providers safe on duty.

Critical insights into the implications of recent court rulings on EMS practice and patient care

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson delve into the complex and ever-evolving legal and ethical dimensions EMS. This episode comes in the wake of a significant court ruling in which two paramedics were found guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the Elijah McClain case. The hosts discuss this judgment's far-reaching implications for EMS professionals, emphasizing the heightened legal scrutiny and accountability now present in the field.

Memorable quotes

"More and more, we are starting to see prosecutors making examples of paramedics, EMTs, who are not doing the right thing, or them thinking they're not doing the right thing, and our peers are now starting to get connected with murder and manslaughter charges, and it's something that we have to be very, very cognizant of." — Chris Cebollero

"I think that where this case went off the rails is that both paramedics involved forgot that they were first and foremost patient advocates and were acting as law enforcement." — Kelly Grayson

"We're doing our job with ego and this isn't about you. This is about the people that call for our help, and we've got to break that habit, because our poor interactions with people are leading to those national calls when these folks die." — Chris Cebollero

"What could be the worst day of somebody's life ... that's powerful, right? People forget what a privilege that is. But we have to be able to remember that our ego is not good for medicine." — Chris Cebollero

"You should train and educate yourself enough that you're not in doubt very often, but you should be conservative and call someone for, for consultation. That's what medical control is for." — Kelly Grayson

Key takeaways

Cebollero and Grayson discussed the growing legal scrutiny faced by EMS professionals, with the following takeaways:

• Importance of accurate medication dosage. The conversation emphasized the criticality of correctly estimating a patient’s weight for administering weight-based medications. Misjudgment in dosage, as seen in the McClain case, can lead to severe consequences.
• EMS education and training needs. The podcast underscored the need for continuous education and situational awareness among EMS practitioners. The hosts debated how such high-profile cases could influence EMS practices and potentially lead to overly cautious behavior, which might not always be in the patient's best interest. Cebollero and Grayson stress the necessity for precise patient assessment, a skill that goes beyond technical expertise to encompass a deep understanding of the patient's condition and needs. Their discussion points to a growing need for EMS education and training to adapt and address these challenges, ensuring that EMS practitioners are equipped to make informed decisions in high-stakes situations.
• Patient advocacy and interaction. Another key aspect of the conversation is the role of paramedics as patient advocates. The hosts argue that EMS professionals should prioritize their medical responsibilities over any perceived obligation to law enforcement. This episode critically examines the ethical considerations in EMS, particularly in scenarios involving mental health or police involvement. By sharing personal experiences and insights, Cebollero and Grayson highlight the delicate balance EMS providers must maintain between following protocol, ensuring patient safety and navigating complex legal landscapes.

Read for more: The EMS system failed McClain and the justice system failed the paramedics]

Rate and review the Inside EMS podcast

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or if you’d like to join us as a guest.

Catch a new episode every Friday on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, PodBean, Amazon Music, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS feed.

EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.

Welcome to this special crossover edition of EMS One Stop and Inside EMS, recorded live at the EMS World Expo 2024 in Las Vegas. Hosted by Rob Lawrence and Chris Cebollero, this episode features insightful discussions with Dr. Ray Barashansky and Tracy Loscar, EMS Deputy Director at Matanuska-Susitna (MatSu) Borough Department of Emergency Services, Alaska.

The episode covers key themes such as leadership development, emotional intelligence in EMS, and the importance of mentorship programs like "Stand and Deliver," aimed at cultivating the next generation of EMS speakers.

• “The next generation of EMS leaders is here, and it's our responsibility to pass the torch with the lessons we've learned." — Rob Lawrence

• “We need to stop staying siloed. Growth happens when we learn from each other’s experiences and different perspectives.” — Chris Cebollero

• “Designating EMS as an essential service is critical, but without form, function, and funding, it's just words on a page.” — Dr. Ray Barashansky

• “Stand and Deliver is about giving everyone a chance to step up, present their ideas, and get real-time feedback from experienced national speakers." — Tracy Loscar

• Leadership Transition in EMS. The influx of new attendees at the Expo reflects the need to develop the next generation of EMS leaders. Rob and Chris highlight the importance of passing the torch to younger EMS professionals.

• Emotional intelligence in EMS. Dr. Ray Barashansky emphasizes how emotional intelligence impacts supervisors and leaders in EMS. He discusses his presentation on this topic, sharing insights on how emotional intelligence can shape better leaders.

• Stand and Deliver Program. Tracy Loscar introduces the "Stand and Deliver" initiative, a program that identifies and mentors emerging EMS speakers, offering real-time feedback from national experts.

• EMS as an essential service. Dr. Barashansky discusses his recent editorial about EMS being recognized as an essential service and the need for formal structure, funding and legislative support to ensure its sustainability.

• Mentorship and learning from each other. The hosts and guests stress the importance of learning from one another, breaking silos within EMS, and continuously evolving as professionals through shared experiences.

ABOUT THE SPONSOR

Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.

This is a special edition of the Inside EMS Podcast – enjoy a crossover post from Chris Cebollero's Ultimate Leadership Podcast.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of the Ultimate Leadership Podcast, Chris Cebollero is joined by Vivian James Rigney. Vivian is in a relatively small group of individuals to have climbed the highest peaks on all seven continents of the planet. When he summited Mount Everest, Vivian had a life-changing experience, which he recounts in his recently published book, “Naked at the Knife-Edge: What Everest Taught Me About Leadership and the Power of Vulnerability.”

Vivian James Rigney is president and CEO of Inside Us LLC, a boutique executive coaching consultancy, operating throughout five continents. He has helped implement leadership development initiatives for some of the world’s leading companies and their executive teams. As an executive coach for some of the world’s most successful leaders, he is known for building a strong rapport with people and asking tough and incisive questions, with an uncanny ability to help them reveal and become their best version of themselves. 

This week, our Inside EMS cohosts discuss the rise in popularity of semiglutide drugs – like Ozempic – used for weight loss. Chris and Kelly discuss what providers should know about the use of these drugs, for their personal use and how complications may present in patients.

Top quotes

• "If you're using semiglutide drugs purely as your only means of weight loss, you're going to rebound." 

• “You eat at odd hours, you eat at odd intervals. You eat something nuked in a microwave at a 7/11. Those are horrific eating habits, and it teaches your body to just hoard calories and food, and you wind up gaining weight that way. There's a lot of fat people in EMS, myself included, that are proof of that.” 

• "A lot of drugs out there came on the market for something and now we're using it for something else." 

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by Eko. Learn how CORE stethoscope technology helps EMS providers make confident split-second decisions by clicking here.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the death of firefighter trainee Peyton Morse, and Greg Fries’s recent analysis, “Respond to ‘I can’t breathe’ like it’s a mayday – because it is.”

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

“My first reaction was, what the hell. My second reaction was, well, I guess if there’s not going to be any participation agreement, then we’re not bound by confidentiality anymore, and I’ll just email the Booz Allen presentation to every member of Congress, and say, ‘here’s the savings to the Medicare program, please pass the TIP and TAD language. And I honestly think we should do that, and we probably will.” — Matt Zavadsky

In this crossover episode of Inside EMS and EMS One-Stop, Matt Zavadsky, MS-HSA, EMT, chief transformation officer at MedStar Mobile Healthcare (an ET3 participant), joins cohosts Chris Cebollero and Rob Lawrence to discuss the recently announced end of the ET3 program.

Top quotes from this episode

• “That must be a mistake … I was just dumbfounded, absolutely dumbfounded.” — Matt Zavadsky
• “We can’t stop this – we’ve got to continue to move this along somehow and ensure that we’re still doing the things we need to do for our patients.” — Chris Cebollero
• “Continue to do what you do while we try to sort out this mess, because we thought we were on the right route, and then someone’s now put out a roadblock, so we have to work out how to detour or indeed knock it down. Keep up the good work while we try to work out how to get around this.” — Rob Lawrence
• “We as a profession cannot let this be the final word.” — Matt Zavadsky

In addition to why CMS didn’t see the savings they were anticipating, and the hoops agencies had to jump through to participate in the ET3 program, the group focuses on what’s next for reimbursement reform.

Together, they discuss:

• How the national associations (NAEMT, AAA, IAFC, IAFF) are working to get legislation introduced in Congress to get treatment in place and transport to alternate destinations (TIP and TAD) covered
• The need for data from organizations that participated in the ET3 model that proves the cost savings
• Admittance avoidance vs. arrival avoidance at the ED
• Turning frustration with Medicare into action

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or if you’d like to join us as a guest.

This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by Pulsara. Learn more about how you can build a regional system of care for free by clicking here.

This is a special edition of the Inside EMS Podcast – enjoy a crossover post from Chris Cebollero's Ultimate Leadership Podcast.

In this episode of the Ultimate Leadership Podcast, we flip the script a bit, we are not talking about professional development, but instead the 5 tips you need to know about keeping yourself as healthy as possible. Host Chris Cebollero is joined by Dr. Nick Barnes. In this crazy time of the pandemic, what is the best way to keep ourselves healthier? Dr. Barnes shares his expertise on developing a nighttime routine, clean eating, the power of movement and how hydration aids the body in cell nutrition. Get insight into how to become the best version of yourself. Come and join the discussion.

This episode of EMS One Stop is sponsored by Blink; the mobile app helping EMS providers to better communicate with their field staff. Learn more about how Blink's two-way communications features are helping to reduce first responder turnover at www.joinblink.com.

Communicating is the subject of this edition of the EMS One-Stop podcast. Host Rob Lawrence welcomes UK-based George Monk, from Blink, and Ron Quaranto, a board member of the American Ambulance Association and co-chair of the AAA Workforce Board.

Quaranto is executive vice president for operations of Cataldo Ambulance, based in Boston. 

Cataldo is the largest 911 provider in Massachusetts, and the discussion focuses on the challenges of leading a large organization in the pandemic including retention and recruiting, vaccines and mandates, and – above all – communicating with the workforce, in Cataldo’s case, now spread across 20 deployment areas.

In this week’s episode of the Inside EMS podcast, host Chris Cebollero and guest host Rob Lawrence delve into the dynamics of EMS leadership, legislative challenges and the pursuit of better reimbursement practices for EMS services. The conversation also digs into EMS on the Hill Day and how providers can impact legislation through advocacy.

Memorable quotes

• "We say, 'When is someone going to do something?' And really, the charge is, 'When is everyone going to step up and do something?'" — Chris Cebollero
• "We have to battle hard to increase our reimbursement, which therefore equates to income, which therefore equates to wages. It's not a case about we all want to go home in a Rolls-Royce.” — Rob Lawrence
• "To get things done in EMS, we actually have to be good at convincing our locally elected officials." — Rob Lawrence
• "The power of the folk out there, when they put their uniform on, when they get in front of these elected officials, is absolute." — Rob Lawrence

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by LogRx. Learn a better way to track your narcotics at LogRx.com.

Last week, Inside EMS cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson laid out the top 10 indications of a bad EMS supervisor (Did you miss it? Catch it here!). This week they’re tackling the top signs of a bad employee, such as poor attendance, lack of initiative and a bad attitude – that’s not you, right? Listen as our duo reflects on each characteristic and where they have seen (or exhibited!) those traits in their career.

Memorable quotes

• "If you’re emotionally intelligent and honest with yourself, you probably see yourself in some of these things."  

• "It’s not over until the paperwork – or the ambulance – is ready for the next day."  

• "Being disengaged shows up in things you don’t think matter, like documentation and keeping the ambulance stocked." 

ABOUT THE SPONSOR

Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.

RATE & REVIEW

Enjoying the show? Send an email to the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode, host Rob Lawrence delves into the essential work of State EMS Associations, their functions and the key legislative activities they are undertaking.

His EMS leader guests for this podcast, recorded at the recent AAA Stars of Life event, include:

• Terrence Ramotar, director for government affairs for the SE region for Global Medical Response, and president of the Florida Ambulance Association
• Jimmy Pierson, president and COO of Medic Ambulance Service in Northern California, and president of the California Ambulance Association
• Chris Anderson, COO of Bell Ambulance of Milwaukee, and president of the Professional Ambulance Association of Wisconsin

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, Kelly Grayson rejoins Cohost Chris Cebollero to discuss his recent medical scare and to celebrate 10 years of Inside EMS.

Kelly recently suffered a massive pulmonary embolus, which severely compromised blood flow to nearly 100% of both his lungs.

Though he admits delaying care was not the brightest decision at the time, he now knows how close he came to losing his life, and is committed to taking his health seriously – both mental and physical.

“Be good patients and don’t be stupid. We are the world’s worst at taking care of ourselves.”

“It slapped me upside the face on April 14 that it’s time to start walking the walk about your own health.“

“Even if you have the capacity to rationalize, and the capacity to be clinically analytic during your own medical emergency, ultimately, all it’s going to do is give you piece of mind when you die that you knew what killed you.”

• ‘Is this what dying feels like?’ A wake-up call and a plea: Don’t be stubborn about your health
• After the wakeup call: First steps of a wellness journey “The problem with people testing their limits is that they often find them.”

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson welcome Chief Gary Ludwig to the podcast. The group discuss imparting knowledge to new medics and Ludwig’s latest book, “385 Things Veteran EMTs and Paramedics Can Teach You: Emergency Medical Technician and Paramedic Tips and Tricks of the Trade.”

The book contains information on patient assessment, managing airways, starting IVs, penetrating trauma, crimes scenes and more.

Chief Ludwig shares his experience with terrible PCRs, and why we should be teaching medics to write reports like our law enforcement partners.

He shares tips like:

• Why you should always stay in the left lane
• How to avoid tipping stretchers
• Why to avoid abbreviations in PCRs

For a signed copy, visit www.garyludwigbooks.com.

About our guest

 Gary Ludwig is a well-known author, educator, speaker, and consultant who has served in three fire departments over his career. His fire, EMS, rescue, 911 and emergency management career spans a total of 46 years, including 35 years in two metropolitan cities, St. Louis and Memphis. He has been a paramedic for over 44 years.

He served as the president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) during the 2019-20 term, and was selected as the International Career Fire Chief of the Year in 2022.

He has a master’s degree in business and management.  He has written over 500 articles for professional fire and EMS publications and is the author of four books.  He has also been invited to speak at over 400 professional EMS or fire conferences or seminars.

He has won numerous awards including the International Career Fire Chief of the Year in 2022, the James O. Page EMS Leadership Award in 2014 and the IAFC EMS Section’s James O Page Achievement Award in 2018.

He has managed two award-winning metropolitan EMS systems (Memphis and St. Louis) and was fire chief of an ISO Class 1 fire department (Champaign).  In 2022, he was appointed by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to the National Advisory Council for FEMA.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, the discussion centered on the practical application of leadership in EMS. The conversation highlighted the gap between commonly used leadership buzzwords and their real-world implementation.

Key points

• Employee engagement and empowerment. The need for genuine engagement and empowerment in the workplace was stressed. Kelly Grayson shares an example of providing discounted meals for employees during hectic schedules as a concrete example of servant leadership.
• Leadership by buzzwords. Our cohosts raise concerns about leaders in EMS who rely on buzzwords without understanding their practical implications. They suggest many EMS leaders are caught up in an "ego vortex," focusing more on authority and titles rather than service and care.
• Personal leadership journey. Chris Cebollero shares his personal journey from being a "horrible leader" to understanding the essence of effective leadership. He emphasizes the importance of emotional control and viewing challenges as solutions.
• Systemic issue in EMS leadership. The discussion highlights a systemic problem in EMS leadership, pointing out the lack of formal training and understanding of the art and science of leadership. Our cohosts stress that success in leadership should be measured by the engagement, satisfaction and productivity of the workforce.
• The Peter Principle. The conversation touches on the Peter Principle, where individuals are promoted to their level of incompetence. They note often, leaders are not equipped with the necessary tools and training for their roles.
• Difference between managers and leaders. A distinction is made between managers and leaders. Managers are described as those who enforce policies and procedures, whereas leaders are seen as doing the right thing and then justifying it officially.

Learn more: Visit the EMS Leader Playbook

Memorable quotes:

• "The true measurement of leadership success is how engaged, satisfied and productive the workforce is. Nothing else matters." — Chris Cebollero
• "Leadership is both an art and a science. You've got to know and understand the science before you can paint the portrait of organizational success." — Chris Cebollero

This episode underscores the need for a paradigm shift in EMS leadership, moving away from traditional authoritative styles to a more engaged, empathetic and service-oriented approach.

Rate and review

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or if you’d like to join us as a guest.

EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.

Heart blocks present a significant challenge to EMTs and paramedics, demanding a high level of expertise and precision in both diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the nuances of different types of heart blocks is crucial for effective patient management. The ability to accurately recognize and differentiate between various heart blocks, such as bifascicular, trifascicular and other types, is not just a matter of academic understanding but a vital skill in the fast-paced environment of EMS.

In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss how to train EMTs and paramedics to recognize, differentiate and treat heart blocks.

Memorable quotes

"Some of the drugs that we give are sometimes cause many problems as they solve." — Kelly Grayson

"The best way to make an arrhythmia go away is to be prepared for the arrhythmia." — Kelly Grayson

“One of the things that we're talking about here is pacing. And I don't think that that's two things that we do very well in EMS. Paramedics don't pace and paramedics don't cardiovert. And one of the things that you've got to be able to remember is when those patients need both.” — Chris Cebollero

Key takeaways

• Understanding heart blocks, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson delve deep into the recognition and differentiation of heart blocks. Grayson emphasizes the challenge EMTs face in distinguishing between various heart blocks, such as bifascicular and trifascicular blocks, highlighting the need for thorough training and understanding.
• Treatment approaches. The podcast hosts discuss the traditional and contemporary treatment approaches to heart blocks, focusing on medications like atropine, lidocaine and procainamide. Grayson points out the delicate balance between treating the arrhythmia and avoiding exacerbating the patient's condition.
• Electrical therapy preference. Both hosts advocate for the use of electrical therapy ("the Edison medicine") in critical cases of arrhythmias. They stress the importance of pacing in cases of bradycardia and cardioversion in tachycardia, especially when the patient is hemodynamically unstable.
• Patient-centric care. A recurring theme is the importance of treating the patient, not just the monitor readings. This includes understanding when to apply treatments and recognizing when a wait-and-see approach might be more beneficial.
• Educational insights. Grayson shares his teaching methods, including the use of analogies and the "AV block cheat sheet" to simplify complex concepts for EMTs and paramedics in training.

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by LogRx. Learn a better way to track your narcotics at LogRx.com. 

EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.

The What Paramedics Want in 2024 report, produced by EMS1 and Fitch & Associates, found respondents to the 2024 EMS Trend Survey ranked leadership No. 4 in the critical issues facing EMS today (behind only retention, funding & reimbursement, and career development).

In this episode of Inside EMS, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson expose the unpleasant side of EMS leadership by naming the top 10 signs of a bad manager. From communication breakdowns to micromanagement nightmares, they explore what makes some managers, well … not so great, while dishing out hard truths about inconsistent leadership, the dangers of favoritism, and the importance of empathy.

Want to know if your manager is part of the problem – or if you're on your way to becoming one? Check it out!

TOP QUOTES

• "Communication is the language of leadership."
• “When you show no concern for the employees, for their interests, you have a breeding ground for developing a toxic work environment.”
• “The true measurement of workforce success is how engaged, satisfied and productive the workforce is – nothing else matters.”
• “You need to care about these people and love them a little bit, as well.”

ABOUT THE SPONSOR Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.

REACH OUT Enjoying the show? Please contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

Educating the public about when it is appropriate to call EMS – and how quickly we should get there

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this EMS Week episode of Inside EMS, Cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive into where emergency care begins, and how community paramedicine launched a paradigm shift years in the making. They discuss how EMS did a fine job of educating the community about the obstacles and dangers of the job during COVID-19, but need to capitalize on and maintain that momentum moving forward.

Memorable quotes from this episode:

• “Community paramedicine has everything to do with EMS week.”
• “Advocacy is what this is all about, and we as a profession have kind of fallen down on the job for quite a while on educating the public about the capabilities of EMS, and the obstacles and hardships that we face, and that’s what EMS Week is all about.”
• “We need to leverage our advocacy and teach the real first responders, the public, about what’s appropriate to call EMS for and what they can do to crowdsource that urgent care.”

Chris and Kelly discuss:

• How emergency care begins at dispatch and nurse triage of 911
• ET3 and the telehealth model
• Kelly’s experience with treatment-in-place and alternate destinations
• Response time standards

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or if you’d like to join us as a guest.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the 14-cent pay increase announced for Austin-Travis County EMS; the first pay increase since 2018 – and not one that delivers a living wage to the members of ATCEMS. The Austin EMS Association was reportedly asking for an increase in EMT base pay from $19 an hour to $27 an hour. 

[Read next: A 14-cent raise. Are you kidding?]

In this week’s episode of Inside EMS, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson delve into situational awareness, and the complexities and challenges faced every day by EMS professionals. The discussion emphasizes the importance of staying alert and prepared in emergency situations, following Cooper's Colors – a model illustrating different states of awareness from "tuned out" to "comatose."

This week’s conversation touches on:  

• The significance of situational awareness in EMS and how it can be the difference between life and death in emergency scenarios.
• Strategies for maintaining and improving situational awareness on the job, including practical applications of Cooper's Colors and mental preparation techniques.
• The psychological and emotional challenges of EMS work, offering insights into how EMS professionals navigate stress, uncertainty and the complexities of emergency response.

Memorable quotes

• "I think that paramedics are great at ensuring the scene is safe. I think paramedics and EMTs are poor once we say the scene is safe ... we forget about what's going on." — Chris Cebollero
• "’Safe scenes’ are what get EMTs killed because we don't go into unsafe scenes. It's the scene that we initially deemed safe that gets you killed because you don't see it coming." — Kelly Grayson

About the sponsor

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by LogRx. Learn a better way to track your narcotics at LogRx.com.

EMS1 uses generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.

Chris Cebollero is flying solo on this episode of Inside EMS as he details the impact of authenticity and integrity in EMS. Through anecdotes and insights, he illustrates how credibility influences leadership effectiveness, team trust and the reputation of the EMS profession.

Memorable quotes

• “EMS is a very egotistical business; it’s the egotism that keeps us from asking ‘why?’”
• “Experiences come from mistakes and mistakes come from a lack of experience.”
• “Never allow your emotions to dictate your actions.”

About the sponsor

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by LogRx. Learn a better way to track your narcotics at LogRx.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by Maria Beermann-Foat to discuss her recent article, "The first 90 days: 12 strategies for laying a foundation for a rewarding career while onboarding new employees," part of EMS1's special coverage package, "Year one: Creating a career path for new EMTs."

The conversation covers Beermann-Foat's 12 strategies, as well as tips for how to make the best impression possible on new employees over the first 90 days and a discussion on how this strategy assists with developing a strong employee culture. 

• The first 90 days
• Turnover: We have measured it, but can we manage it?
• Improving personnel performance through evaluations and training
• 3 ways you're losing EMS providers and how to stop the revolving door
• 4 steps to improving EMS retention through onboarding

This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by Eko. Learn how CORE stethoscope technology helps EMS providers make confident split-second decisions by clicking here.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss an article by Mike Taigman centered on mental health, "A 5-step wellness checkup," with tips for learning to focus on the things you can change and forgetting the those you can't. 

The conversation turns to the recent fatal shooting by actor Alec Baldwin on the set of his upcoming movie, "Rust." Baldwin was handling a prop gun when multiple shots were fired, injuring the movie's director and killing the film's cinematographer. Our co-hosts discuss what providers need to know about firearm safety. 

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

"Amateurs talk tactics. Professionals talk logistics" — General Omar Bradley

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence chats with Superintendent Joe O'Hare of Boston EMS. After an illustrious EMS career, O'Hare is heading into a well-earned retirement. Rob and Joe reflect on leadership lessons learned as well as Joe’s experience as EMS commander during the Boston Marathon bombing.

The conversation covers leadership, partnership, cooperation, interoperability, logistics, NIMS, ICS and the Olympic flame.

“We've got to be on top of our game when it comes to clinical dosing of medications, from oxygen to ketamine.”

This week, Inside EMS cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive into an article by Joshua Davies on the use of chemical restraints in the field. They discuss the pros and cons of different medications, including a lively discussion on the use of versed and why ketamine is a good drug … when dosed and used properly.

Top quotes

• "You should have a fairly extensive formulary of antipsychotic and sedative agents available to you."

• "We need to stop worrying about what we're seeing in the news and train our providers."

• "We really have to be able to give our medical director confidence that whatever is in the protocol and whatever they want to give us in the protocol, we have the competency to do that work and do that skill."

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by Eko. Learn how CORE stethoscope technology helps EMS providers make confident split-second decisions by clicking here.

In the final episode of Inside EMS for the 2021 season, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson count down the top five stories that generated the most debate and buzz by readers this year. Did you miss any of these high-engagment articles? Listen to the podcast and read for more.

• Okla. FF disciplined for transporting burned child in engine
• Unvaccinated Wash. firefighters will no longer be able to respond to medical calls
• Toxicologist: You can't just touch fentanyl and overdose
• Ambulances held hostage: Can the hospital make you stay?
• A triad of findings: 3 case presentations for Cushing's Triad

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence welcomes Matt Zavadsky, MS-HSA, EMT, chief strategic integration officer of MedStar Ft Worth.

Matt describes how Walt Disney World’s culture and approach to the guest experience contain important lessons for EMS agencies, our leaders and our providers. The conversation covers:

• The importance of branding
• How reputations are built and can implode
• The importance of “cast member” selection for your agency
• How paying attention to the 1,000 little things create a magical immersive experience for your employees and patients

EMS1 is the premier media partner at the Pinnacle EMS conference and Rob and Matt also highlight the pre-conference session, “Hot topics in high-performance/high-value EMS,” as well as the AIMHI webinar, “How much funding do you need?” which will be featured in a future episode.

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence sits down with EMS attorneys Steve Wirth, of  Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, and Scott Moore. With vaccination mandate deadlines looming, the discussion focuses on current vaccination requirements, accommodations – including the increase in numbers of those with deeply held religious beliefs.

They also examine the right of the employer to require vaccination in return for employment and pay, as well as the free choice of the employee to celebrate their liberty and freedom and move on elsewhere if they feel they can’t comply.

In this episode of the Inside EMS Podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss Orange County, Florida's adoption of live stream technology for 911 calls, a move that promises to enhance the quality of emergency response through better triage and patient care.

This episode of Inside EMS Podcast exemplifies the ongoing evolution of emergency medical services, marked by technological innovation, educational advancements, and the importance of leadership and community engagement in shaping the future of EMS.

Learn more: Fla. county launches livestream option for 911 calls

Cebollero and Grayson discussed how integrating video technology into 911 dispatch can improve EMS response in the following ways:

• Enhanced triage accuracy. Live streaming allows dispatchers to visually assess the situation, leading to more accurate triage and resource allocation. This visual context can be crucial in determining the urgency and nature of the response needed. By providing dispatchers with a live visual feed, EMS teams can be better prepared upon arrival, knowing what to expect and potentially improving patient outcomes.
• Supporting scene safety. Live streaming video in 911 dispatch can significantly improve scene safety for emergency medical personnel by providing real-time visuals of the incident site before their arrival. This advanced insight allows paramedics and EMTs to assess potential hazards, understand the severity of the situation, and prepare appropriate safety measures in advance. This technology empowers responders with crucial information, enabling them to make informed decisions about their approach and ensuring they can protect themselves effectively while delivering critical care.
• Improved dispatcher-patient interaction: The ability to see the caller and the scene in real-time enhances communication between dispatchers and those in need, fostering a more empathetic and effective exchange of information.
• Efficiency in emergency response. Visual cues obtained through live streaming can help in quickly identifying the nature of the emergency, potentially reducing response times and increasing the chances of a positive outcome.
• Enhanced training opportunities. Recorded live streams can serve as valuable training tools, offering real-life scenarios for emergency responders and dispatchers to learn from and improve their skills.
• Cross-agency collaboration. The integration of live streaming technology encourages collaboration between EMS, fire departments, police and other emergency services, enabling a more coordinated response to incidents.

While enthusiastic about the potential of new technologies, Cebollero and Grayson also discussed the need for caution and the anticipation of unforeseen challenges, particularly concerning the privacy and security of live streamed 911 calls.

Also in this episode

• Innovations in EMS. Chris Cebollero shared his new role with QuickMedic and their innovative approach to utilizing paramedics for urgent care in collaboration with healthcare partners, indicating a shift towards more versatile roles for EMS professionals. He emphasized the importance of leadership and vision in developing effective teams across multiple states.
• Education and training. Kelly Grayson shared experiences from teaching a new accelerated paramedic program, stressing the importance of rigorous standards and personalized feedback to ensure student success, highlighting the evolving educational methodologies in EMS training.

About the sponsor

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by LogRx. Learn a better way to track your narcotics at LogRx.com.

EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss a recent court case where a nurse was found guilty of criminally negligent homicide for a medication error that lead to the death of a patient. 

Chris and Kelly discuss the facts of the case and how the verdict could impact EMS. They also outline the steps providers should take to protect themselves when dispensing and administering medication on duty. 

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this week's episode, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by Adam Heinz, executive director of REMSA Health in Reno, Nevada. The trio discusses the future of EMS, how agencies should rethink current systems and the role of EMS providers, and the best ways to recruit and retain new career professionals. Adam also shares the four P's for developing a successful EMS system.

This episode of EMS One Stop is sponsored by Blink; the mobile app helping EMS providers to better communicate with their field staff. Learn more about how Blink's two-way communications features are helping to reduce first responder turnover at www.joinblink.com.

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence catches up with Harris County ESD11 EMS Chief Executive Doug Hooten. ESD11 is now at day 80 of being a new service provider – get an inside look at their progress.

Doug provides background on ESD11’s fleet of hybrid Ford Ambulances and the challenges of building a full fleet before the go live date, and also comments on his recruiting initiatives, which – even in the current era of shortages – sits at 110% staffed.

Rob and Doug also discuss operation enhancements and initiatives, from offering staff a doggy daycare, to the creation of a Resilience Officer post to look after the wellbeing of all staff.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This week, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle the topic of TXA, including its uses and how to administer it. In a recent article, "Understanding TXA," columnist Jonathan Lee offers an overview on how TXA is becoming a mainstay in the field and makes a case for it to be considered for shock and trauma patients. Grayson, who carries TXA on his ambulance, shares the protocols for the drug's administration and management. 

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T. FirstNet uses the latest technology to keep your lines of communication and data open – to help you respond faster, smarter and safer.

In this episode of Inside EMS, our cohosts,  Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson, are joined by former EMS Director for the state of Utah, and current FirstNet Board Member, Paul Patrick.

The discussion revolves around communication and making communication a stress-free resource. Patrick shares his knowledge on how communication can be hampered in MCI response, how we changed our communication practice during the pandemic and what we learned for the future of communication.

He then shares some information about the history of FirstNet, how it came about and what it means for the first responder community. 

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T. FirstNet uses the latest technology to keep your lines of communication and data open – to help you respond faster, smarter and safer.

In this episode, host Chris Cebollero interviews co-host Kelly Grayson about his new book, "Perspectives, Volume I: An Emergency Medicine and Public Safety Anthology." The concept for the book came from a successful excercise on Grayson's blog, in which he would create a fictional patient and elicit the perspective of an ER nurse and a police officer to understand how they see the same patient. 

For his book, Grayson expanded on the concept, and invited a number of public safety and public health professionals to collaborate on the work. Our co-hosts discuss how readers should approach the book, where the idea came from and what a lay person can glean from the pages.

“All of EMS is volunteerism.” This week, host Chris Cebollero is joined by industry advocate and EMS1 columnist Nancy Magee to discuss the current state of volunteerism in the profession. The conversation explores how leaders can balance the demands placed on volunteers with proper recognition, support and understanding, while also being responsive to the community’s needs.

“Volunteering is its own reward. It really can help you in your head space, but you don't get that until you try it.” 

“People have to know that what they do made a difference. You're important to the agency. We need you and what you do every day, whether it's putting a little old lady back in her bed or recognizing that she's decompensating and not that she dropped the remote this time.”

“It has to be understood by the community that EMS costs money. And you're getting a great bang for your buck if you have competent, local, readily available volunteers.”

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by Eko. Learn how CORE stethoscope technology helps EMS providers make confident split-second decisions by clicking here.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss a hot topic in the EMS1 community: EMT placement of a supraglottic airway in the field. The conversation touches on the future of EMS, the expanded role of EMTs and how training should adapt. 

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss an article by Andrea Abbas, MS, NRP, IP, CP-C, "5 leadership flaws that hold us back." The duo discuss the difficulties of leading multi-generational crews, their own personal management styles, how complacency can cause a disconnect with field crews and more.

According to Cebollero, "the true measurement of leadership success is how engaged, satisfied and productive the workforce is – everything else is extra gravy."

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T. FirstNet uses the latest technology to keep your lines of communication and data open—to help you respond faster, smarter and safer.

Contact us

Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, Cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive into critical thinking. They point out the need to teach EMT students how to make the leap from linear to critical thinking, and the key critical thinking skills needed to make decisions:

1. Being curious: Asking the question why
2. Reasoning
3. Self-awareness

Memorable quotes from this episode

“Critical thinking is all about the discipline of being able to take in information to experience what’s happening, to have a good observation of what’s happening and to reason and make the best decisions that we can.”

“I think one of the hallmarks of intelligence is intellectual curiosity.”

“This is a missing component of critical thinking. Just because we’ve gotten some information doesn’t mean that information is acted on without good analysis.”

“When you can divorce yourself emotionally from the information that you’re processing, it makes it much easier to analyze.”

Together, they discuss:

• Linear thinking vs. critical thinking
• Taking emotions out of thinking
• Emotional intelligence
• Falling victim to confirmation bias

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

Our Inside EMS cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by guest Major Chris Lokits from Louisville Metro EMS (LMEMS) to discuss paramedic intubations in the field. LMEMS is part of the Prehospital Airway Control Trial (PACT), a four-year Department of Defense research study aimed at "improving survival among people who have difficulty breathing after a trauma," through the University of Louisville. A significant number, up to 15%, of people with traumatic injuries die due to a lack of airway management. 

Dr. Raymond Orthober, LMEMS medical director and assistant professor of emergency medicine at UofL, is helping lead the university's participation in the clinical trial. 

• 5 tips to provide safe and effective ventilation
• Airway management: Improving first-pass intubation success (eBook)
• 5 tips for securing a patient's airway
• Improve endotracheal intubation with First and TEN approach
• 5 things to know about endotracheal intubation

In this week's episode of Inside EMS, Cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson lean on their experience as field training officers and EMT instructors to discuss EMS skills mastery.

If our message to new EMT graduates is, “You don’t know everything there is to know about EMS,” then how do we teach them what they need to know in the field?

Top quotes from this episode

“It’s not laziness; it’s cognitive offloading.”

“If I’m not using it, why am I teaching it?”

“Is the way you intubate today the way you intubated when you started in EMS?”

“There is nothing that substitutes for constant repetition and practice.”

Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or if you’d like to join us as a guest.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by guests Lisa Giruzzi and Robbie MacCue, founders of the EMS Leadership Academy in New York. The robust conversation emphasizes the most important attributes of a leader, and the group discusses what future EMS leaders should know about the current state of the industry and where it's headed. Giruzzi and MacCue also share the philosophy of the EMS Leadership Academy and discuss the upcoming Fourth Annual EMS Leadership Summit. 

Learn more about the summit here. 

In this episode of the Inside EMS Podcast, co-host Kelly Grayson is joined by international guest host Rob Lawrence for a candid and timely conversation on one of the most pressing issues in EMS today: fatigue and its impact on provider safety and wellness.

The discussion begins with a heartbreaking story out of Georgia, where a nurse, after working consecutive night shifts, fell asleep at the wheel, leading to a fatal crash. It’s a tragic reminder of the very real risks that come with long hours, disrupted sleep and chronic fatigue in healthcare—and EMS is no exception.

Kelly and Rob reflect on their own experiences with sleep deprivation, shift work and the toll it takes on performance, decision-making and personal safety. They dive into the need for fatigue management policies, smarter shift scheduling, and how EMS leaders can — and must — prioritize provider health.

Timeline

00:00 - 00:05: Rob introduces himself as the international correspondent for Inside EMS, stepping in for Chris Cebollero.

00:05 - 00:33: Kelly and Rob discuss the swap between Chris and Rob, along with their roles in the EMS community, providing context for the conversation.

00:33 - 03:10: Rob and Kelly discuss the tragic accident in Forsyth County, Georgia, where a nurse fell asleep behind the wheel after a night shift. They reflect on the broader issue of fatigue in healthcare professions.

03:10 - 07:01: Kelly shares his personal experience with fatigue, recounting instances of feeling like a "zombie" after long shifts and the dangers of working extended hours.

07:01 - 10:35: Rob and Kelly dive into the challenges of managing fatigue in EMS, the ongoing debate about shift lengths, and the need for policies to improve rest and working conditions.

10:35 - 12:23: The hosts discuss the importance of leadership in managing fatigue, with Rob emphasizing the need for downtime between shifts.

12:23 - 15:02: Kelly talks about his previous employer's fatigue mitigation policies and how they ensured safety through workload monitoring, proper shift lengths, and adequate pay.

15:02 - 18:00: Rob reflects on his work in California, including meetings with lawmakers to address EMS workforce issues during EMS Week.

18:00 - 23:07: The hosts discuss the systemic issues that contribute to fatigue, including poor wages, long shifts, and the overall working conditions in EMS. They conclude with a call to action for better policies and leadership to ensure the well-being of EMS professionals.

Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

This episode of EMS One-Stop is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, recorded at the Pinnacle EMS 2022 leadership conference, Host Rob Lawrence chats with Joe Ryan, MD.

Dr. Ryan is adjunct clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at Stanford University and is well known as a veteran EMS medical director at some of the most notable EMS operations in the country, past and present, including MAST in Kansas City; City of Pittsburgh EMS; Sun Star in Pinellas County, Florida; Santa Clara County EMS in California; and REMSA in Reno, Nevada. 

Dr. Ryan was at Pinnacle to pay homage to his lifelong friend, Jack Stout, whose life was celebrated at the conference.

In the podcast, Dr. Ryan discusses the origins of high-performance EMS and his involvement with Jack Stout as he set EMS systems up. Additionally, Rob and Dr. Ryan look to the future and discuss the “silver tsunami” in geriatric healthcare.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, cohost Chris Cebollero reflects on his time in the military and the privilege of serving in the military’s Honor Guard. Chris explains the significance of the 13 folds of the American flag and the honor felt in folding the flag that would be given to a family member of a fallen servicemember.

Chris is joined by Folds of Honor’s Senior Vice President of Outreach, Luke Sherman. Sherman is a past chairman and now senior member with the Board of Directors for the National Tactical Officers Association; a 29 year veteran of the Tulsa Police Department; and owner and principal with Aegis CPG, a Tulsa-based security consulting company.

Sherman shares how the Folds of Honor scholarship program will now benefit first responders, including paramedics and EMTS.

Lt. Col. Dan Rooney started Folds of Honor after his second tour of duty in Iraq. As a fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, he became painfully aware of the realities families face when a loved one in uniform is fallen or disabled.

On his return flight home, the pilot announced the plane carried the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin on board. Lt. Col. Rooney watched as Corporal Bucklin’s twin brother walked somberly alongside the flag-covered casket to meet his family on the tarmac.

Lt. Col. Rooney committed to meeting sacrifice with hope through Folds of Honor, providing life-changing scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen or disabled servicemembers. Folds of honor has awarded more than 44,000 educational scholarships totalling about $200M since 2007

And now, the mission expands to the families of America’s first responders.

Additional resources

Learn more about supporting Folds of Honor’s mission to help fund educational opportunities for military and first responder families, or to apply for a scholarship at FoldsOfHonor.org.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the importance of the 2022 EMS Trend Report and how every voice in EMS matters as to the future of our field.

"It is our responsibility to leave the profession better than we found it," Cebollero said. 

The conversation then transitions to retirement and how EMS professionals can take advantage of the retirement benefits at every agency they work.

Finally, our co-hosts discuss a recent position paper released by 13 industry groups regarding the use of lights and sirens by first responders. The document lays out the challenge of emergent response, who is being hurt, and gives 10 suggestions on how to change the culture. 

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T. FirstNet uses the latest technology to keep your lines of communication and data open – to help you respond faster, smarter and safer.

This week, Inside EMS co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the recent mass shootings across the country in New York, Texas and Oklahoma. What does the increase in shootings mean for EMS providers and should agencies prepare? Should organizations increase training for these types of scenarios? The discussion also revolves around hardening targets, arming teachers and industry impact. 

• Rapid response: 5 ways to be prepared for an MCI in your community
• Child death calls: How to talk to your family and support your mental health
• Preparing a workforce to deal with emotional trauma

This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by Pulsara. Learn more about how you can build a regional system of care for free by clicking here.

In this episode of Inside EMS, cohost Chris Cebollero is joined by guest co-host Corey Ricketson, vice president of national accounts for Pulsara, who shares his experiences visiting multiple EMS agencies throughout the country. The discussion focuses on the role of EMS during the pandemic and how EMS needs to adapt for the future, as well as how interoperability, connection and communication should be part of the main focus for EMS agencies.

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This week, President Biden announced that Russia is in the planning phases of a significant barrage of cyberattacks against the United States, and reported Russian-sponsored cyber aggression at sustained levels never seen before.

To discuss the implications of the effects of a cyberattack on EMS infrastructure, EMS One-Stop Host Rob Lawrence welcomes EMSA COO, Frank Gresh, and FirstWatch Cyber Security Strategist, Bill Ott.  

Mike Taigman also joins to discuss the recent FirstWatch alert.

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by Verizon Frontline, the advanced network and technology for first responders. To learn more, visit verizon.com/frontline.

The 2024 anniversary of 9/11 marks 23 years since the tragic events that forever altered the course of history and the landscape of public safety.

As we move further from that fateful day, the significance of remembering and learning from 9/11 grows even more critical. For many, especially younger generations, 9/11 is transitioning from a lived experience to a historical event, making it essential for public safety professionals to ensure that the lessons identified are not only remembered, but actively applied in today's ever-evolving emergency response environment.

In this special crossover episode of the Policing Matters, Better Every Shift and Inside EMS podcasts, Co-hosts Jim Dudley, Aaron Zamzow and Rob Lawrence highlight the importance of remembering 9/11 not just as a historical event but as a continuing influence on how public safety agencies operate today.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This week cohost Kelly Grayson is joined by guest host Greg Friese, editorial director for Lexipol, and the pair discuss a Canadian research study on the diversity of CPR manikins used in instructive social media posts within North and South America.

During a two year period, researchers found that fewer than 10% of the more than 200 manikin images used in social media instructional posts represented Black or Asian patients, while fewer than 2% represented overweight individuals.

“I kind of rolled my eyes at the study itself, but it does speak to a larger issue,” Grayson said. “No CPR manikin looks like me; none of them have legs and they all have at least one less chin than I do, but [this research] does speak to a larger issue in EMS, and society as a whole, about diversity and inclusivity in our profession.”

What do you think about the study? Listen to the full conversation and add your comments on the topic below.

• The 'hidden curriculum' in EMS education: Teaching the good, the bad and the ugly
• Teaching differential diagnosis
• How to recognize lazy students, bad instructors

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence welcomes Jay Fitch, PhD, of Fitch & Associates; and Tom Judge, executive director of LifeFlight of Maine.

EMS1 is the premier media partner at the Pinnacle EMS conference, and Rob is a part of this year's Pinnacle Shark Tank Innovation Generator pre-conference session. In this series of podcasts, the EMS cast of the Shark Tank will join Rob to discuss their own hot topics.

In this episode of the series Rob, Jay and Tom discuss the upcoming conference and some of its key sessions, as well as current issues that those attending will ultimately look to solve. Rob also asks Jay, who has been operating in the EMS space for five decades as a leading consultant, what he is currently advising his clients as they look to operationally survive.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the challenges we are having with recruiting and retaining good EMS providers. Kelly offers tips for getting the very best out of the new workforce.

The duo focus on the importance of having a normal onboarding process. As most systems are short-staffed, too many agencies are cutting short the onboarding process and throwing new employees to the wolves.

The discussion then moves to the topic of hazing and bullying new employees. It is this behavior that will turn a new employee off to the organization. Chris asks, "is it time to put this practice to bed?"

Read Kelly's article, “Top 10 ways to ruin a good EMT,” and listen to the discussion below.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In the first episode of the 10th year in EMS, Cohost Chris Cebollero is joined by the legal powerhouse of Page, Wolfberg & Wirth’s EMS Attorneys Doug Wolfberg, Esq.; and Steve Wirth, Esq. to discuss the case everyone is talking about.

An Illinois prosecutor has filed virtually unprecedented first-degree murder charges against two EMS providers over the death of a patient in their care. Wolfberg and Wirth broke down the points of the case and the lessons for EMS in an EMS1 article, "Malpractice or murder: When do EMS providers cross the line from negligence to a crime?"   

In this episode, Wolfberg and Wirth share their first impressions of the case and the body camera footage of the incident.

Wolfberg noted what hit him was the “callous, cold, very detached, aggressive demeanor of the providers.” “You get into EMS because you care for people – how do you get to the point to what we saw in the video – that’s really where I keep coming back to,”  Wolfberg said.

Wirth added, “it wasn’t until I looked at the video that I felt outraged – outraged is the word that comes to my mind – how could a human being deal with another human being in this fashion – basically treat another human being as an inanimate object.” He asked, “how does this happen … because we can’t allow this to happen; we can’t.”

Are first-degree murder charges warranted in this case? See how EMS1 listeners are weighing in.

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

On Jan. 29, 2022, FirstWatch took an exceptional step in issuing a cyberattack warning as cyber and ransomware attacks in the U.S. were peaking. FirstWatch’s systems identified public safety infrastructure and sites were included in this round of direct attacks.

In this rapidly recorded EMS One-Stop podcast, Rob Lawrence first chats with Mike Taigman as to why FirstWatch decided to send out a far-reaching alert.

He is then joined by FirstWatch cyber security specialist, Bill Ott who discusses the types of attacks observed as well as the up-to-the-minute situation as attempts on public safety systems are continuing.

By way of further example, Bill also discusses the ransomware attack that occurred in Durham, North Carolina, and extracts lessons learned from that event that can be used as strategies in the current elevated threat environment. 

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this crossover edition of EMS One-Stop and Inside EMS, hosts Rob Lawrence and Chris Cebollero report together from Pinnacle EMS 2022 leadership conference and are joined by guest Bruce Evans, president of NAEMT. 

During the discussion, Bruce issues a call-to-action to save ambulance services as we know it, in the face political, reimbursement and recruiting pressures. The crew also discusses their favorite presenters and presentations from the conference, and offer a vivid description of the memorial to the late Jack Stout, considered to be the father of high-performance EMS systems.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, our cohosts and best-selling authors put our listeners on the path to becoming authors.

Top quotes from this episode

“Everybody has a book title in them and we’re going to put everybody on the path of becoming authors.”

“I have an idea of where I want the story to go, but how the characters interact, how they talk, the adventures and trials and tribulations they go through, develop as the story goes along.”

“When I'm at my best, the writing just flows, and I'm just typing away and I'm giggling or crying, as the case may be, and enjoying the hell out of it.”

“The days that it doesn't flow like a waterfall is where it takes some work ethic and some discipline, and you have to get the story on the page no matter how bad you think it is, and then find your muse and find the spark in it in the editing process.”

Together, Chris and Kelly discuss:

• How writing can be therapeutic
• Kelly’s latest short stories, “They call me Tully”, “Cecil the Combat Wombat,” and “The battle of Waffle Haus 814”
• Chris’ top 10 tips for success in “Ultimate leadership”
• Writing process: how Kelly gets through the tough days and Chris’s unique approach, that isn’t writing at all

Additional resources

• How to submit an article to EMS1
• 5 alternatives to journaling if you don't like to write
• Getting published in EMS
• How writing may have saved my EMS career

Send your book titles to theshow@ems1.com

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, Host Chris Cebollero discusses goal setting for a successful 2023. Chris breaks down the top 5 golden rules for making your goals and resolutions a reality.

Chris notes, “success does not happen by chance, you have to create the opportunities that will create your success.”

Listen for more on:

1. Developing a motivating value statement
2. Using the SMART method of developing goals
3. The importance of developing an action plan
4. Ensuring you are sticking to the plan you developed

This is a great show to outline a blueprint for your success in 2023.

In this week’s episode of the Inside EMS Podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss some of the biggest news stories in EMS from the month.

First up: A fire chief in Colorado is under investigation for running nearly 300 medical calls on an expired paramedic certification from 2019. What happens when leadership sets a bad example for their crews?

The pair also discuss several mental health initiatives, including the University of Washington’s new first responder training program and the mental health teams supporting evacuees of California’s wildfires.

Plus, Chris reacts to an idea floated by the new White House administration to reduce FEMA’s role, and Kelly gives his take on why the agency – despite its flaws – is a necessity.

Have an EMS-related news story you want Chris and Kelly to analyze? Send an email to theshow@ems1.com.

•  “If you don't want to pay for it, then, then don't gripe about poor response times ... or inadequate care, because you wouldn't pay for it.” — Kelly Grayson

• “ You know, during COVID, we were heroes.  And we squandered that goodwill and let ourselves be pushed onto the back burner until something horrific happens to California. And then firefighting leaps into the breach again. Then, those citizens are incredibly grateful, but when this is all over, they'll fade back into obscurity again.” — Kelly Grayson

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by Philips. Time to take pre-hospital emergency care to the next level. Time for Tempus.

Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest. 

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visitlexipol.com.

Inside EMS cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson respond to the social media discussion on a recent EMS1 article: "Should waveform capnography be in the EMT scope of practice?"

The comments on the topic were divided:

• "If you can bag or insert an airway, you should be able to use ETCO2. As others have said, it’s a fantastic tool for all levels of clinical practice."
• "They need to be good at what is already in their scope of practice and most of the aren’t. They’re just medic dependent."
• "... Why is this even a question? Absolutely yes."

Our cohosts discuss how to train EMTs for this skill and how to make it a reality in the educational process. Chris offers his take on the topic and suggests that nothing needs to be added to the EMT curriculum; instead, he believes it's the responsibility of the agency to teach this skill. 

Inside EMS cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson delve into a legal case out of New Jersey in this week’s episode, in which law enforcement officers and EMS providers were recently charged with the in-custody, in-ambulance death of a patient under the influence of bath salts.

The discussion also discusses a similar incident out of Colorado in which two paramedics and a police officer were convicted in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain after he was injected with ketamine.

Chris and Kelly share vulnerable moments from their careers when they regret not advocating for their patient in the face of law enforcement actions, plus we dig into all this:

• The growing legal scrutiny of EMS practices

• How to use de-escalation techniques to mitigate contentious situations with law enforcement partners

• The ethical responsibilities of EMS providers

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by LogRx. Learn a better way to track your narcotics at LogRx.com.

“Sometimes we make a decision, and it snowballs.” Our cohosts get vulnerable on this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, sharing times in their career when they suffered from cascade bias – using incorrect supplied or assumed information, which led to mistakes that compounded to the detriment of the patient. Have you experienced this in your career?

Plus, we dig into all this:

• How to enhance your decision-making skills during times of uncertainty
• Which U.S. Air Force acronym can help with bias reassessment
• How experience can work against providers when it comes to bias

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by LogRx. Learn a better way to track your narcotics at LogRx.com.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, host Kelly Grayson welcomes Nancy Magee, volunteer EMS consultant, and

Rom Duckworth, fire captain and paramedic EMS coordinator for the Ridgefield (Connecticut) Fire Department and the founder of the New England Center for Rescue and Emergency Medicine.

As a NAEMT board member, Rom recently attended the EMS advocacy event, EMS on the Hill, along with Nancy, who attended to represent the interests of rural EMS providers. 

Rom shared, “Bottom line, the experience was great, some parts a little frustrating, but I feel like we were fighting the good fight overall and it was a learning experience for me and I think an eye opening experience for a lot of the other people who were down there trying to fight for a little bit more money, a little bit more protection and a little bit more rights for EMS providers.”

Nancy and Rom recount their experiences and what they learned in Washington, including:

• What the representatives asked of legislators
• Why it’s important to be specific in grant funding
• The elephant in the room (hint, it’s fee-for-service)
• Where the money goes

Connect with us

Email theshow@ems1.com to share your feedback!

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. 

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of Inside EMS, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss an incident that sparked fierce debate within the EMS community. The incident in question occurred on October 27, 2023, when a Washington, D.C., firefighter/EMT was dismissed for stopping at a Chick-fil-A before responding to an ALS call. The hosts discuss the ethical implications of this decision, emphasizing the duty to act in emergency services.

Cebollero and Grayson, while acknowledging the challenging landscape of working in EMS, stressed that personal needs and comfort should never compromise the responsibility to respond to emergencies. They shared personal experiences of missing meals due to service calls. The hosts stress how the duty to act commitment to help others should always outweigh personal needs in emergency services.

The discussion also centered on the commendable actions of D.C. Fire and EMS in addressing the incident. Grayson was firm in his belief that the action taken by the D.C. firefighter/EMT was unequivocally unethical and damaging to the public trust. The hosts underscored the importance of upholding the greatest standards of ethics and responsibility, even when not in the public eye.

Memorable quotes

• "Ethics are how you behave when no one is looking. There's not a whole lot of gray area in ethical situations." — Kelly Grayson
• "The whole point of 911 and the honor of what we do is, you call, we come: no question." — Kelly Grayson
• "I can’t count the number of times I have been waiting in line for food and I've been dispatched to a call. I've had to get out of line. I've had to lose my money. I didn't get a chance to eat that day." — Chris Cebollero
• "We have a duty to act. We have to be able to respond as we need to respond, regardless of our own personal needs." — Chris Cebollero

Read next: Duty to act, assess, treat and transport. A legal refresher for EMS providers

RATE AND REVIEW

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or if you’d like to join us as a guest.

EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

Just over three months ago, Rob Luckritz assumed his new appointment as the Chief of Austin Travis County EMS, Texas. He got the job after a very public selection process where he not only competed against internal, time served candidates, but also a list of very qualified external candidates. Thanks to the transparency of the process, the public, both in Austin, and far and wide, were able to follow the process every step of the way.

In this episode of EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence catches up with Rob Luckritz to discuss his first 100 days in office. Luckritz describes his reception so far, what he has found and his future plans for ATCEMS. He also offers advice for young EMS leaders aspiring to get a senior job at an organization such as ATCEMS and how to prepare for an EMS leadership career.

Luckritz also takes part in a quick-fire round, highlighting his thoughts on our current EMS challenges from recruiting to available ambulances and everything in between.  

“Sometimes we made decisions and wound up getting corrective action where maybe a culture of coaching would have taught me to grow.”

Kelly Grayson puts the spotlight on fellow cohost Chris Cebollero this week as the pair discuss whether progressive discipline still has a place in EMS or if a move to a culture of coaching, as written about extensively by Chris, would have a more positive impact on retention rates, turnover, burnout and overall career satisfaction.

Top quotes

• “Experience comes from mistakes and mistakes come from lack of experience.” – Chris Cebollero

• "I've gotten enough progressive discipline, enough paper that I can wallpaper a small closet." – Chris Cebollero

• “This isn’t about me wanting to fire you. This is about me wanting to make you the very best that you can be.” – Chris Cebollero

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by LogRx. Learn a better way to track your narcotics at LogRx.com.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This week, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the murder of FDNY EMS Capt. Alison Russo, who was violently stabbed to death by a man just a half mile from her home EMS station. The conversation touches on personal safety, how to prepare the EMS workforce with additional safety equipment and self defense training.

The duo also revisit the fraught discussion about arming EMS providers in the field and how thoughts on the topic have evolved over the years. 

"Some people say, 'We're not combatants, we're compassionate.' I was a combat medic; we can do both." — Chris Cebollero

"Are we becoming so inured to the violence we face every day that we look at it as part of the job?" — Kelly Grayson

"I think we need to learn hand-to-hand combat, I think we need to worry about wearing Kevlar vests, and we need to think about arming our paramedics with some kind of weapon." — Chris Cebollero

• An outpouring of support, outrage over FDNY EMS provider's murder
• Rapid response: Risk of senseless violence is constantly looming
• EMS response is often considered safer than firefighting, but is it?
• Former partner of slain FDNY EMS Lt. Alison Russo reflects on her love of EMS
• Slain FDNY EMS Lt. Alison Russo devoted herself to volunteer agency for 30 years
• Fallen 25-year FDNY veteran was months from retirement
• FDNY EMS Lt. Alison Russo to be posthumously promoted to captain

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

If you’ve seen his videos, you’ve likely said to yourself, “been there, done that.” In this episode of Inside EMS, cohost Kelly Grayson and guest cohost Rob Lawrence welcome Firefighter-influencer Jason Patton to the show. Patton, famous for Fire Department Chronicles and Fire Department Coffee, offers a caffeine-fueled glimpse at how he got started in producing videos that have garnered him over 5 million followers.

Listen in as they discuss:

• The power of social media
• The “can’t make this stuff up” calls we’ve all been to that produce fodder for his videos
• Patton’s tips for sharing your own message with the masses, including an outside-of-the-box suggestion for why mistakes are a good thing

Don’t miss:

• “The world, especially our world, needs humor.”
• Patton’s approach to tough topics
• What he did to get a cease-and-desist letter from National Geographic

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This week, Inside EMS host Chris Cebollero is joined by Chief Gary Ludwig to discuss killing of Tyre Nichols, which led to the firing of five Memphis police officers and three members of the Memphis Fire Department. Ludwig previously served as the deputy chief of the department for 10 years, running their EMS program.

Chief Ludwig discusses professionalism, how a “normalization of deviance” may account for the lack of concern for bad behavior, and leadership’s role in keeping our workforce safe. The pair round out the episode by discussing whether it’s time for EMS to start wearing body cameras during patient care or at other times during a call.

“The cameras are rolling and people know the cameras are rolling and this is still the behavior.” — Chris Cebollero

“We behave on these cameras inappropriately, and nothing happens to us. You go on the next call, there’s cameras there – body cams, security cameras, Ring doorbells – there’s cameras everywhere. We behave inappropriately and there’s no consequences, even though it was captured on camera, so it becomes normalized.” — Chief Ludwig

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the drug Ketamine and its use in EMS. Providers may utilize the drug to assist with many different conditions they encounter in the field. The discussion references a recent article regarding ketamine's possible use in treating anxiety and depression, and the conversation turns to other drugs that are being used to treat similar maladies, such as MDMA, which has been touted as helpful when treating terminal patients.

6 ways to avoid ketamine pitfalls

Article Bites: Pain management options

Understanding prehospital ketamine: Dosing to drawbacks

Excited delirium: The Long Beach integrated medical response

Vodcast: Patient with delirium and agitated behavior

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss traumatic brain injuries, following the recent revelations surrounding the death of comedian Bob Saget. Our co-hosts discuss what providers need to know about TBIs, as well as how to treat and manage patients with suspected head injuries. 

“We wanted to build something to solve the problem and help the paramedic, not hinder them.” Clive Savacool, CEO and founder of LogRx, joins the podcast this week to discuss preventing drug diversion/theft.

Host Christ Cebollero and Savacool discuss:

• Who sets the tone for compliance accountability in an EMS organization

• The practice of gatekeeping narcotics from “drug seekers”

• Modernizing documentation practices to increase accuracy

• The LogRx smartphone platform and solution for tracking narcotics and other drugs

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by LogRx. Learn a better way to track your narcotics at LogRx.com.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

Cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the "hidden curriculum" in EMS education on this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, differentiating the fine line between a discussion of the educational components, the potentiality for bad habits and "lore" of EMS – and all three have a place. The duo makes the case for balance when teaching about the good, the bad and the ugly of an EMS career. 

The discussion also touches on valuing experience over evidence-based medicine, how to take the ego out of the educational process, and instructor tips for teaching flexibility and the importance of doing the right thing as a matter of principle to students. 

• Passion: Is it required to teach EMS?
• Addressing toxic heroism in the EMS education system
• How to recognize lazy students, bad instructors

This week on Inside EMS, MedStar’s Matt Zavadsky joins the show for the 10th time as a guest host to discuss potential changes to how the organization operates in the City of Fort Worth … as well as a change to Zavadsky’s personal career path. The pair also discuss:

• The four options on the table for transforming MedStar
• What a MedStar change means for the 13 surrounding cities it serves
• How the economics of EMS have changed since the pandemic

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence welcomes Remle Crowe, PhD; and Mike Taigman to discuss research, improvement science and project implementation. Along the way, they also cover the UCLA Prehospital Care Research Forum, a red lights and sirens project update, and their top research projects.

EMS1 is the premier media partner at the Pinnacle EMS conference, and Rob, Mike and Remle are also part of this year's Pinnacle Shark Tank Innovation Generator pre-conference session. Over the next few weeks, the EMS cast of the Shark Tank will join Rob to discuss their own hot topics. 

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T. FirstNet uses the latest technology to keep your lines of communication and data open – to help you respond faster, smarter and safer.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the concept of self awareness and emotional intelligence. Sometimes people push our buttons, and we allow emotions to dictate our actions – why does this happen? What is the process of analyzing our emotions that allows us to control them when confronted? Cebellero outlines the components of emotional intelligence and offers tips to better understanding through reflection and developing a solid self-awareness.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

By request, this episode of Inside EMS tackles the topic of resiliency, based on a conversation cohost Chris Cebollero had with listener Benoit Rudolphe at EMS World Expo. Cebollero and fellow cohost Kelly Grayson take the idea and run with it, detailing the top six elements of achieving personal or professional resilience.

Additional resiliency resources:

•  How to build mental health resilience in EMS
• Quick Take: Building first responder resilience
• Fit for duty: How to be a resilient responder
• Enhancing first responder resilience through mindfulness
• EMT 360: Teach emotional resilience during training

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence welcomes Ed Racht, MD, chief medical officer at Global Medical Response; and Joelle Donofrio-Odmann, DO, deputy chief medical officer, San Diego Fire Department, to discuss what the future holds for EMS. The discussion focuses on how we get others in the house of medicine to realize what we do and appreciate it. 

EMS1 is the premier media partner at the Pinnacle EMS conference, and Rob, Mike and Remle are also part of this year's Pinnacle Shark Tank Innovation Generator pre-conference session. In this series of podcasts, the EMS cast of the Shark Tank will join Rob to discuss their own hot topics.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the launch of the EMS Trend Survey 2022, which will provide the data for the 7th annual EMS Trend Report. During the conversation, the hosts emphasize the importance of field providers participating in the survey. 

"This is their opportunity to have their voices heard," Cebollero said.

Grayson echoed his sentiment. "This is a chance to take stewardship of our profession," he said. 

The pair also discuss Grayson's recent article, "Whatever will we do without the skill sheets?" regarding NREMT's plan to sunset skill sheets for paramedic certification, and what other changes are needed in EMS edcuation.

Cebollero and Grayson also discuss a recent news item from Lexington, Kentucky, that found a nearly 7% decrease in call volume due to the area's robust community paramedicine program. 

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by FirstNet, Built with AT&T. FirstNet uses the latest technology to keep your lines of communication and data open – to help you respond faster, smarter and safer.

On this week's podcast, our co-hosts analyze bodycam footage released by the City of Dallas after a patient died in police custody while being transported in the back of a Dallas Fire-Rescue ambulance. According to a Dallas police deputy, the patient "became quiet and started to lose vital signs" while en route, and died shortly after arriving at the hospital. 

Listen as our co-hosts break down the video and share tips for handling a similar situation. 

In this episode of Inside EMS, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson explore leadership insights drawn from a recent post by The Humbled Medic blog, which highlights lessons from the hit Apple TV show “Ted Lasso.” Known for its humor and heart, the show serves as a surprising but fitting blueprint for leadership, especially for EMS educators and professionals. 

The hosts discuss the importance of embracing the philosophy “be curious, not judgmental,” a guiding principle that urges EMS providers to set aside assumptions about patients and colleagues. Other takeaways include the value of challenging oneself to grow, the significance of second chances, and the power of building a trusted support system.  

From embracing discomfort, to cultivating belief in others and finding small ways to show kindness, the episode encourages EMS professionals to lead with both heart and purpose. 

ABOUT THE SPONSOR  Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com. 

RATE & REVIEW 

Enjoying the show? Email theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest. 

This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by Eko. Learn how CORE stethoscope technology helps EMS providers make confident split-second decisions by clicking here.

In this week's episode of Inside EMS, Kelly Grayson is joined by guest host Rob Lawrence.

The subject of the week is trauma, and Rob and Kelly discuss the origins and meaning of the Trimodal Distribution of Death and the advances in trauma treatment. Kelly then answers the key trauma treatment question of fluids versus pressors.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

This special episode of Inside EMS is a crossover post from FireRescue1's new Better Every Shift Podcast. Hosted by Madison (Wisconsin) Firefighter Aaron Zamzow and FireRescue1 Editor-in-Chief Janelle Foskett, the show brings kitchen table conversations to the airwaves, always focused on solutions, positivity and the realities of station life.  

Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts. 

This episode of the Better Every Shift podcast is extra super because Zam and Janelle are talking all things Super Bowl with Glendale (Arizona) Captain Ashley Losch, digging into the fire and EMS preparations, training and coordination for this year’s big game. Captain Losch details the many moving parts of “Super Season,” what they’ve learned from the past two Super Bowls the city has hosted, plus how the Damar Hamlin incident prompted additional questions.

Plus, we get into all this:

• The big messaging change for this year
• Maintaining citywide staffing during the big game
• The tabletop exercise that had 150 agencies represented

• Hot seat sneak peek: Best Super Bowl halftime shows of all time
• Don’t miss: How the super-wealthy deal with Super Bowl travel
• Episode power quote: “It’s about connection, it’s about coming together for a common goal, making sure that people are safe, making sure that everyone has a good time, everyone goes home with good memories, and the sheer amount of people that are coming together to make sure that happens is really incredible.”

• Glendale Fire on Instagram

Email bettereveryshift@firerescue1.com to share your feedback, and if you enjoy the show, take a moment to rate and review Better Every Shift on Apple Podcasts. 

In this episode of Inside EMS, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by Nick Maltby, chief of service for New Hartford Volunteer Ambulance Service, and a clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety and PTSD. Nick brings a unique perspective, blending frontline EMS experience with mental health expertise to tackle one of the biggest issues in EMS today — mental health support that actually works.

• “Depression is a voice that whispers to you that you can't do all the things that bring you joy.” — Kelly Grayson

• “The first step to a problem getting worse is thinking, ‘I can't tell anybody, because if I did, they would ostracize me, they would fire me, they wouldn't be my friend,’ but it’s all in your head.” — Nick Maltby

Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

Our cohosts are joined this week by Jeff Hensley, emergency manager for MedTrust Medical Transport in Charleston, South Carolina, who discusses the requirements for the position and the characteristics of a successful emergency manager.

The discussion also touches on the role of emergency management in the community during public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic.