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 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.

“Even after all these years of being in EMS, I still want to learn.” Flying solo this week, Chris Cebollero takes a note from EMS1 columnist Tim Nowak, walking listeners through his “11 keys to success for the rookie EMT.” Though directed at new EMTs, Cebollero makes the point that Nowak’s list of advice is really poignant for anyone at any point in their EMS career.  

Listen to learn: 

• The role ego plays on scene … and how to move past it 
• How to test your quick-thinking reflexes and level-up 
• The slow creep of complacency and how to avoid it 

Top quotes 

• "When someone needs you and needs your ability and needs your knowledge and needs your skill, you don't need to be looking for the OB kit." 
• "Never settle for the minimum, whether it's the standard of patient care, compassion, continuing education hours." 
• “You are going to make mistakes. You need to learn from your mistakes. You need to make sure that you don't do those mistakes again.” 

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 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 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 light of the recent monkeypox outbreak, both the CDC and Atlanta’s National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) have issued specialist guidance to both EMS and healthcare.

To discuss this emerging issue, Rob Lawrence is joined by Alexander P. Isakov, MD, MPH, professor of emergency medicine at Emory University.  He is also the director for Emory’s Section of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, whose faculty and staff provide medical oversight for 911 communications centers, first responders, and air and ground ambulance services in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Additionally, Dr. Isakov founded and directs the Emory-Grady EMS Bio-Safety Transport Program, which supports the Emory University Hospital Serious Communicable Diseases Unit and the CDC for the transport and management of persons confirmed or suspected to have a high consequence infectious disease. 

Discussed in the podcast are the signs and symptoms of monkeypox, methods of transmission, precautions for providers and notification requirements. The conversation also includes COVID-19, and the current upward trend in cases.

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.

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 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 of  EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence speaks with Stefan Korshak, senior defense correspondent for the Kiev Post. U.S.-born, now Ukrainian resident Korshak is a journalist and foreign correspondent reporter specializing in conflict zone work. 

Rob and Stefan discuss the general situation in Ukraine, humanitarian and refugee issues, and support being provided to displaced citizens by the Ukrainian Government, and the unity and morale of the general population.

In the second half of the podcast, Stefan recounts a recent visit to the front line and his interaction with ambulance and frontline medical support and evacuation operations.  To conclude, Stefan identifies current needs and it’s ambulances … as long as they are 4x4 AWD and armored.

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 a recent news article out of Florida regarding a Fla. patient's Do Not Resuscitate order. The family of the patient alleges EMS providers violated the legal wishes of Celeste Salanitri, 81, who suffered from end-stage Parksinson's disease, after she was treated for a fall at an assisted living facility. 

"There is so much ambiguity when it comes to DNR's that EMS providers need to be up on how to handle when nursing staff or family members say there is a DNR in place," Cebollero says. 

Our co-hosts end the show by describing a series of DNR scenarios to consider how they would respond in the moment. 

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 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 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.

Anna Muller is a TikTok sensation who has been viewed on her channel over 20 million times. Muller now spends her time as a transformational life coach and public speaker.

As a keynote speaker at the American Ambulance Association 2022 Stars of Life Ceremony on May 3, 2022, in Washington D.C., Anna described the moment two paramedics saved her life after she made a difficult 911 call. That call changed her life, and generated a TikTok message that has touched millions since.

In this EMS One-Stop Podcast, Anna tells Rob Lawrence her story of survival, hope, courage and resilience, and how the interaction with EMS changed her life. Anna and Rob also discuss the patients’ eye view of being the patient in crisis and receiving care from EMS. 

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 EMS1 Editor-in-Chief Kerri Hatt's recent article, "Fentanyl: Separating fact from fiction," which dispels the myths surrounding the drug and details how first responders should safely approach a scene where fentanyl is present. 

• Educate public safety partners about fentanyl protection
• Opioid overdose: Fact vs. fiction
• Fentanyl fever and MIH opiate interventions
• MRSA, fentanyl, bed bugs: What are you bringing home with you?
• 6 strategies to protect first responders from fentanyl
• Quiz: Fact vs. fiction on fentanyl exposure

“When your communication is intuitive … that’s what makes EMS an art for me.” This week, our cohosts discuss what makes a good EMT partner and a supportive paramedic mentor. The discussion was inspired by EMT-B Clay Gilman’s recent EMS1 poem submission, “To my medic, from your EMT.”

The conversation also touches on:

• The use of BLS intercepts in place of paramedic intercepts 

• How empowering EMTs can provide staffing relief 

• Why EMTs should be taught to think above all 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.

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 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. 

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 episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the success of Trentin Monk, who was one of Kelly's EMT students. Trentin passed the NREMT cognitive exam in only 70 questions; at 15 years and 196 days old, that accomplishment makes him the youngest EMT ever certified in the state of Louisiana. The conversation then shifts to a new course offering from NAEMT. The organization will begin offering Political Academy, an eight-hour seminar designed to educate providers on how best to progress EMS causes in the political arena at the state and federal levels.

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 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.

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 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, Rob Lawrence welcomes an international panel to discuss falls, drops and lifts. Matt Streger, attorney with Keavney & Streger; Brian Hupp, director of EMS at the Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia, Tennessee, and newly awarded Tennessee EMS Administrator of the Year; and Simon Claridge, CEO of Mangar International, based in the UK, join the show.

While discussing falls, drops and lift, Matt describes a patient movement sim lab used by one of his clients, funded by an insurance company in order to assist with the prevention of paramedic acquired workplace injuries and with the liability associated with dropping patients.

Brian talks protocols and prevention, and Simon identifies UK health and safety law and the requirement for every vehicle to carry lifting devices. He also touches on mandatory training for care home staff and highlights the post-falls management white paper now made available to U.S. services.

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.

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. 

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 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, Rob Lawrence welcomes Tony O’Brien (Boston EMS), treasurer of the National EMS Memorial Foundation and Tim Perkins (VA Office of EMS), board member of the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride.

Tony identifies a timetable and the progress towards establishing a permanent monument in the national capital to honor the heroism, courage and enduring sacrifice of all past, present and future EMS providers and to remember and celebrate the lives of those killed in the line of duty.

Tim outlines how the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride honors emergency medical services personnel by organizing and implementing long distance cycling events that memorialize and celebrate the lives of those who serve every day, those who have become sick or injured while performing their duties, and those who have died in the line of duty.

Tony explains that H.R. 1037 – the National EMS Memorial bill – was signed into law by President Donald Trump, becoming public law 115-275 in 2018, starting the formal countdown to establishing a memorial. Additionally, Tim reveals the routes and dates of the five 2022 routes covering the East Coast, southern route, Midwest, Colorado and West Coast.

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

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the most interesting industry news of the week.

First, our co-hosts discuss a story about the creation of an EMS council attempting to pool resources to develop a mult-state EMS solution. 

"Good on these states for trying something new and trying to get it done," Cebollero said. "We need role models because there are going to be other states and other counties that need to look at this type of model to sustain for the future."

Next, our co-hosts discuss two stories that focus on safety in EMS and assault on providers by patients. 

Join the discussion: Listen to the episode and share your thoughts in the comments below. 

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. 

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence chats with NAEMT President, Bruce Evans about the upcoming virtual EMS on the Hill Day. 

The online event, which consists of virtual meetings with members of congress, spans the week of April 4-8 with groups organized by state and scheduled into Zoom meetings.

Rob and Bruce discuss the NAEMT legislative agenda and the requests that attendees will be asked to make in their meetings.  Bruce also discusses the collaboration taking place between a number of national associations and the lobbying value that it brings.

Also included: information on the forthcoming workshop to be held at the Pinnacle conference where NAEMT will provide guidance on how to run for public office.  Bruce's aspiration is to have at least one EMS professional in each state house, if not more.

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 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 are joined by Dr. Adam Saltman, chief marketing officer for Eko Health. The discussion centers on tips and best practices for accurately using a stethoscope to listen to heart tones and lung sounds. According to Dr. Saltman, data gleaned from stethoscopes help providers chart the best path for patient treatment. 

Listen to the group discussion and leave your thoughts in the comments below. Have a comment or suggestion? Send an email to theshow@ems1.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.

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. 

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by Reuben Farnsworth, clinical/operational coordinator for Delta County Ambulance District and EMS1 columnist, to discuss his latest article, "Do we really need degrees in EMS?"

"Bettering yourself and having those letters behind your name gives you a little confidence, gives you a little bit more opportunity to grow, gives you a bit more focus," Cebollero said of pursuing an undergraduate program. 

What are your thoughts? Do you think there should be degree requirements in emergency services?

In this episode, Lexipol Editorial Director, Greg Friese, MS, NRP, joins cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson to kick off the eighth year of tackling the hot topics in the Inside EMS podcast.

Friese offers some insight into what EMS1 will be focusing on in the year ahead, from physical, mental and emotional safety and wellness, to continuing to provide timely, accurate, relevant and actionable information relevant to topics like COVID-19, clinical recommendations and legal issues.

The conversation also includes a discussion on the alarming frequency of ambulance and apparatus crashes resulting in injury or death, and what is needed to keep patients and providers safe. From engineering controls, to fatigue and workload management and continuing education, Friese identifies two main buckets from which to improve ambulance safety:

1. Provider mindset: making a commitment to staying seated and belted when in motion
2. Safety monitoring: implementing a monitoring and reporting system to measure compliance

Finally, the group discusses provider burnout, and how the EMS Trend Survey seeks to identify pressure points that are challenging providers, and the actions leaders can take to recruit and retain talent. As Grayson puts it, this is your chance to lend your voice, and your hand to “steer the ship.”

Coming soon: The EMS Trend Survey, which informs the EMS Trend Report, will be released this month. Check back at www.ems1.com/ems-trend-report/ to help guide future coverage and provide insight into the status of EMS and workforce needs

“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 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.

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

In this episode, Cebollero is joined by speaker, author and coach Bo Brabo. Bo stops by to share his leadership expertise regarding the importance of after-action reviews and how they are essential for the growth of a team and organization.

He discusses how best to cultivate a value-based organization and the keys to use those values to inspire and motivate the workforce. Bo shares his thoughts about his book, "From the battlefield, to the White House, to the boardroom."

Bo had the opportunity to work at The White House during President Bush's and President Obama's administrations. What was the biggest lesson Bo took from that experience? Join the discussion to find out.

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 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 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 the final EMS One-Stop podcast of the year, the tables are turned on host Rob Lawrence as Lexipol/EMS1 Editorial Director Greg Friese, MS, NRP, takes over the mic and welcomes Rob as the guest.

Rob is about to celebrate 30 years in EMS leading both military and civilian prehospital ambulance services and Greg drills into Rob’s views on leadership.

Having served in the British army and many deployments in the early ’80s, Rob was selected for officer training and entered Britain’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. On receiving the Queen’s Commission as a second lieutenant, he joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and the rest – as they say – is history. 

Rob and Greg discuss the influences of Sandhurst on Rob’s leadership style and how that is carried forward to this day. Topics discussed include pride, integrity, learning, humor, service, courage, communication, trust, training and serving to lead.

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 top industry headlines. Grayson kicks the conversation off with highlights of the bill signed by President Joe Biden to expand the Public Safety Officers Benefit, which aims to improve the function of the program.

Our hosts also celebrate the promotion of Micah Morgan, who became the first female to be assigned to the elite Tactical Paramedic Team at Austin-Travis County EMS. The duo also discuss a decision by ATCEMS to remove a question related to marijuana use from their career application. 

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 the light of the series of articles on ambulance patient offload times and hospital bed delays by Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, host Rob Lawrence is joined by PW&W Attorneys Doug Wolfberg, Esq.; and Steve Wirth, Esq. A solid discussion takes place on the EMS legal and ethical obligations to patients at the ED, and strategies to combat hospital bed delays, as well as the downloadable tip sheet also available at EMS1.

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 article by Jonathan Lee "Understanding prehospital vasopressors: Dopamine, epinephrine or norepinephrine?" The hosts discuss the resurgence of vasopressors in the EMS field, particularly when it comes to treating sepsis. The conversation follows what vasopressors are used for, how they work, and some of the things to look out for when administering vasopressors to patients. 

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 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. 

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.

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 chats with Christine Fiechter, executive director of the 501c3 Charity EMS Gives Life, and live liver doner Will Lindbergh, whose selfless act spurned the creation of the charity.

Cambridge, Massachusetts’ Pro EMS CEO Bill Mergendahl was inspired to launch EMS Gives Life after seeing the personal example set by one of his paramedics, Will Lindberg, who made the life-giving decision to become an anonymous liver donor.

Will was inspired to learn more about liver donation after responding to an emergency call from a patient with liver failure. In February, 2020, Will underwent a laparoscopic procedure to remove a portion of his liver, which helped save the life of 3-year-old Ian Charles, who was suffering from a rare type of liver cancer that can affect babies and young children.

Listen in to learn more about Will’s story, and why EMS Gives Life encourages first responders to give a small piece of themselves to give someone else a new chance at life – and help address the chronic unmet need for life-giving organ donations.

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 tackle the topic of EMS education. The National Registry of EMTs recently announced it was doing away with skill sheets for EMS providers, setting up an issue for educators to determine the best way to teach the skills. The discussion also touches on teaching tools that hinder rather than help instructors in the classroom. 

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, host Chris Cebollero is joined by guest co-host Matt Zavadsky, the chief strategic integration officer for MedStar Mobile Healthcare in Fort Worth, Texas, and the immediate past president of NAEMT. 

Zavadsky breaks down three reasons for the current EMS staffing shortage, and outlines what agencies can do to reserve resources, as well as how to compete with other work opportunities. Zavadsky also touches on the topic of vaccine mandates and the repercussions some responders are facing for not complying. The discussion concludes with a debate about EMS redesign and the importance of partnering with local officials.