EMS Today

Host Bram Duffee explores research on epinephrine’s role in traumatic cardiac arrest. The discussion features a trauma surgeon and researcher from a Level 1 trauma center who explains why epinephrine may not only lack benefit but could cause harm in trauma cases like car crashes or gunshot wounds. Drawing from a six-year study across seven trauma centers involving over 1,600 patients, the findings...

Rolling Sixes is a groundbreaking six-part documentary series spotlighting the combined police, fire, and EMS crews of Kalamazoo Public Safety—the largest integrated public safety agency in the U.S. Created by Zach Hamelton, a former TV and film producer turned public information officer, the series blends cinematic storytelling with immersive, real-world footage captured via GoPros and cinema cam...

The JEMS Report: How a Timid Soul Found Purpose in EMS Service   Eric Chase sits down with Jeffrey Hammerstein, a retired paramedic with over 40 years of experience in Wake County (NC) EMS. Jeffrey shares his journey from a fearful, shy child to a confident frontline responder who found meaning in offering reassurance and care during life’s most critical moments. He discusses the emotional toll of...

Just a Little Salt: Real Stories, Hard Truths and Humor with Fireman Lance   Fireman Lance opens up about the realities of life on the job—from brutal physical challenges and mental exhaustion to the tight-knit culture and unexpected humor at the fire station. Lance shares stories of rookie mistakes, intense calls and hilarious firehouse pranks involving ghostly dolls and prank sprays. He sheds li...

JEMS Product Pod: TRAUMAGEL is Revolutionizing Hemorrhage Control   JEMS Development Editor Mike Brown welcomes Joe Landolina, co-founder and CEO of Cresilon, alongside Sean Allen, Director of Education for TRAUMAGEL, to dive into a breakthrough in hemorrhage control technology. TRAUMAGEL, a plant-based, easy-to-use hemostatic gel, stops moderate to severe external bleeding within seconds without...

Not A-Fib: Criminal Liability and Legal Challenges for EMS Providers   This episode of the Not A-fib podcast looks into the increasing scrutiny EMS providers face from a legal standpoint, highlighted by high-profile cases like Elijah McClain's tragic death in Aurora, Colorado, and a recent Springfield, Missouri incident. Attorney and EMT Frank Flaspohler, who serves as legal counsel to Missouri am...

The JEMS Report: Tylenol Use in Pregnancy   Dr. Sarah Fabiano and Dr. Jeremy Cushman break down the recent FDA release linking acetaminophen (Tylenol) use during pregnancy to autism spectrum disorder.  They discuss the distinction between association and causation, highlighting how studies can show correlations without proving direct cause and effect. The doctors also address the complexity behind...

Just a Little Salt: Kevin Hazzard on the Reality of Emergency Medicine, Burnout, and Storytelling   In this revealing episode of “Just a Little Salt,” seasoned Atlanta paramedic and author Kevin Hazzard shares the unvarnished truth about life on the front lines of emergency medicine. Reflecting on his decade-plus of experiences, Kevin dives deep into the emotional challenges of responding to traum...

Just a Little Salt: Badge 502 on EMS, Dispatch and Viral TikTok Fame   In this candid episode of “Just a Little Salt,” the Salty Paramedic sits down with Badge 502— Anthony Christian an EMT, 911 dispatcher, CPR instructor and viral content creator. Anthony shares his journey from retail to first responder during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, how creating humorous EMS videos started as a way...

The JEMS Report: ROSC and Roll   Cardiovascular perfusionist Brian Kress joins Mike Brown to dissect a high-stakes cardiac arrest case that underscores the critical moments following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). They walk through the fragile physiology of post-arrest patients and reveal how early, expert support in the field and hospital dramatically influences outcomes. From the impo...

Just a Little Salt: Firefighter Fenton on Leadership, Family and Humor in Firefighting   Firefighter Fenton opens up about balancing two decades of firefighting with family life, creative content creation and staying true to himself. From the harrowing experience of losing a fire truck amid a wildfire threatening homes—teaching him tough lessons in leadership and priorities—to the lighter side of...

Just a Little Salt: Patrick Pianezza on ‘Code 3,’ EMS Realism and Mental Health   In this debut episode of Just a Little Salt, former paramedic and co-writer Patrick Pianezza shares the story behind the upcoming film “Code 3,” releasing September 12. Drawing on over a decade in EMS, Patrick reveals how a college creative writing assignment transformed into a heartfelt, medically accurate portrayal...

Chief’s Cadence:  Ethical Leadership in EMS with Attorney Steve Wirth   In this episode of The Chief’s Cadence, Chief Shane Wheeler sits down with Attorney Steve Wirth, a pioneering paramedic turned attorney and EMS leader, to uncover the complexities of ethical leadership in emergency medical services. Drawing from decades of hands-on experience, Steve explores the hard choices EMS professionals...

The JEMS Report: Inside EMS Medical Direction and Rehab Strategies at Large-Scale Fire Incidents     Dr. Jeremy Cushman shares his journey from EMT to full-time EMS physician and regional medical director covering over 100 agencies in New York’s Finger Lakes and western regions. He talks about the evolving EMS physician role and the relationship between medical directors and first responders. The...

What is high-risk airway management (HRAM)? It is exactly the stuff nightmares are made of: Patients who present to us, outside of the hospital, with severe injuries and competing treatment priorities. Performing RSI on these patients is a lot like walking alone down a scary alleyway in the big city. Read the full article on EMS Airway .

Not A-Fib:  Mobile Integrated Healthcare, Advocacy and Mental Health in Missouri Chief Justin Duncan, CEO of Washington County Ambulance District in Missouri, shares insights on pioneering mobile integrated healthcare in a sprawling 1,500-square-mile rural area. Winning the $150,000 Building Bridges to Better Health challenge, his program blends community paramedics, telehealth, and partnerships w...

The JEMS Report: Practical Insights for Out-of-Hospital Birth Challenges   In this episode of the JEMS Report Podcast, managing editor Jeff Frankel sits down with Dr. Liz Travis, a maternal care researcher, to discuss the growing challenges EMS providers face with out-of-hospital births. They unpack the critical gaps in traditional EMS training, particularly as maternal care deserts expand, leavin...

Airway management in the prehospital environment is difficult just by virtue of where we are doing it and the lack of resources available to help us manage the difficulties. Add to that a patient with mangled facial anatomy or is dangerously peri-arrest due to hemorrhage and the danger can seem insurmountable. What the research tells us is that there are really three big buckets of problems in air...

Not A-Fib :Inside New Orleans EMS’s Body Worn Camera Program and Mass Casualty Response   In this episode of the Not A-fib podcast, Deputy Chief Christopher Keller of New Orleans Emergency Medical Services shares the origins and impact of their innovative body worn camera program. The program protects staff, supports quality assurance and aids patient care. Keller discusses navigating privacy conc...

The JEMS Report - How Drones Are Transforming EMS Logistics and Healthcare Delivery   JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel sits down with Ryan Walsh, CEO and founder of Valqari, to explore how drones are revolutionizing emergency medical services and hospital logistics. Drawing on his special operations experience, Walsh reveals how Valqari developed autonomous drone technology to deliver critical me...

EMS Research: Severe Hemorrhage Technology Developed by Military Researchers   Severe hemorrhage is one of the toughest challenges faced in the prehospital environment, especially when every second counts and resources are limited. But a recent study on the use of 25% human serum albumin (HSA) in trauma care could change how responders approach these critical moments. The study was led by United S...

The JEMS Report - How Critical Incident Response Canines Are Changing First Responder Support   JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel sits down with Janeen Baggette, the founder of K9s for Freedom and Independence, to explore a unique approach to first responder well-being. With a background as a military medic and law enforcement handler, Janeen shares how her nonprofit trains specialized Critical In...

Infection control consultant Katherine West breaks down the critical distinctions between infection prevention practices in EMS settings versus medical facilities.   She clarifies how EMS-specific CDC guidelines account for unique factors like ambulance ventilation systems, the rear exhaust fan and closed suction systems that impact airborne and droplet disease transmission risks.   Katherine addr...

JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel sits down with occupational therapist Bonnie Ekman and paramedic leader Alanna Badgley to explore sensory modulation therapy as a breakthrough tool for first responders’ mental health.   Bonnie explains how engaging all eight senses helps regulate the nervous system, moving beyond traditional talk therapy when first responders are stuck in fight-or-flight activati...

JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel hosts a deep dive into the mental health challenges facing first responders. Featuring Dr. Robin Jacobowitz, interim director at SUNY New Paltz’s Institute for Disaster Mental Health, and paramedic and union leader Alanna Badgley, the discussion centers around a groundbreaking 2024 New York State Mental Health Needs Assessment. The study exposes alarming rates of...