Inside EMS

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 whe...

In this episode of EMS One-Stop, recorded live from the ABC 360 and XI Conference, host Rob Lawrence chats with keynote speaker Catherine Kuhlmann, a firefighter-paramedic with over 26 years of experience.   Kuhlmann discusses the importance of understanding both internal and external customer service in EMS, emphasizing the need for a healthy organizational culture to ensure the best patient care...

NOTE: Be sure to check out the Inside EMS podcast this month where Rob Lawrence will be joining Kelly Grayson as a guest cohost for Chris Cebollero.  In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, Dr. Dave Williams discusses an exciting new  master's-level course designed for EMS and fire leaders , focused on advanced improvement science. Along with  Mike Taigman , Dr. Williams is leading this progr...

Note: Thanks for following the Inside EMS podcast! Enjoy this special EMS One-Stop crossover episode with host Rob Lawrence, who will also join Kelly Grayson as a guest cohost during the month of April.   In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, Dr. Dave Williams discusses an exciting new master's-level course designed for EMS and fire leaders , focused on advanced improvement science. Along w...

In honor of First Responder Wellness Week, Inside EMS hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson go beyond the surface-level tips and dig into what true wellness looks like in this profession. Spoiler: it’s messy, personal and sometimes terrifying. Kelly shares his deeply personal journey from a spinal surgery and a near-fatal pulmonary embolism to dropping over 140 pounds and reclaiming his life. At...

In this episode of EMS One-Stop, host Rob Lawrence is joined by Dr. Dan Patterson, a clinician-scientist specializing in safety in emergency care settings. Dr. Patterson’s work centers around critical factors in EMS safety, such as sleep health, shift work, fatigue and their combined effects on clinician well-being. Timeline of key discussion points 00:00 – Introduction to Dr. Dan Patterson Dr. Pa...

Billions of dollars from opioid settlements are flowing into communities, but how does EMS get a slice of the pie? In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, host Chris Cebollero is joined by Corey Carlson, EMS segment lead at Lexipol, to break it all down. Carlson simplifies the complex world of opioid settlement funding, sharing exactly where the money is, who controls it and how EMS agencies —...

Sitting for the National Registry exam might rank up there with colonoscopies in terms of excitement, but EMS educator Dan Limmer recently took the test. Why? To stay sharp, to keep his licenses and to see firsthand how the test has evolved. And guess what? He walked out impressed. In this episode of Inside EMS, Dan sits down with host Chris Cebollero to break down his experience, share study stra...

In this episode of EMS One-Stop, host Rob Lawrence welcomes back Dr. Alex Isakov , a leading expert in infectious diseases from NETEC and Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Isakov provides valuable updates on current and emerging infectious diseases; their global impact; and the critical role EMS professionals play in identifying, isolating and protecting themselves and their patients. This discussi...

Recruiting and retaining EMS professionals has been an ongoing challenge across the U.S., made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode of the EMS One–Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence sits down with Joe Schmider, Texas State EMS director, to discuss the $21M Texas EMS Workforce Initiative — a data-driven approach to recruiting and retaining EMS providers statewide. Schmider details how Texas...

In EMS, where the stress is high and space is tight, conflict is bound to happen. Whether it’s a personality clash with your partner, frustration over unclear responsibilities or a disagreement with leadership, knowing how to navigate workplace tension is a crucial skill.   In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson break down conflict resolution strategies...

In this special episode of EMS One-Stop, host Rob Lawrence welcomes General Robert B. Neller, the 37th commandant of the United States Marine Corps, to discuss leadership, decision-making, team building and the evolving challenges facing public safety professionals. General Neller shares his perspective on leading under pressure, making critical decisions, and fostering an ethical and resilient or...

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 Bil...

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 ac...

In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence is joined by Shana Beggan, Esq.; and Mike Pellow, Esq., defense attorneys representing one of the firefighters involved in the tragic Elijah McClain case. Beggan and Pellow discuss the complex legal and systemic issues surrounding the incident, including communication breakdowns, inadequate training, and the challenges faced by EMS and...

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...

In this sobering episode of EMS One-Stop, host Rob Lawrence sits down with Chief Bill Salmeron of New Orleans EMS to discuss the tragic events that unfolded on New Year’s Day 2025, when  a vehicle plowed through crowds in the French Quarter , resulting in 15 fatalities and 57 injuries, including two police officers. Chief Salmeron provides a detailed account of the incident, the immediate EMS resp...

Join Rob Lawrence on EMS One-Stop as he welcomes Sunny Wescott, chief meteorologist at the Department of Homeland Security, for an eye-opening discussion about the impact of extreme weather on emergency services and critical infrastructure. Sunny shares her expertise on meteorological trends, the challenges of preparing for severe weather events, and the evolving role of EMS in managing climate-in...

In this episode of Inside EMS, Chris and Kelly are joined by Tim Redding, founder and CEO of  Emergency Education Consultants , to explore a topic that’s reshaping how we think about medicine: male-centric healthcare. Tim shares insights from Dr. Alyson J. McGregor’s groundbreaking book,  “Sex Matters” , which explores how medical research and education have historically centered on white male pat...

Ever wonder what really happens inside the body during shock? This week, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive into the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS).  From vasoconstriction to fluid retention, they break down this complex topic with real-life examples, a sprinkle of humor and practical tips for how EMS providers can apply this knowledge in the field. Kelly shares the importance of...

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 o...

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 vehicl...

EMS pay and retention – or the lack thereof – is at the heart of this week’s episode of Inside EMS. Hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle a news item out of Dougherty County, Georgia, where a recent exodus of EMS professionals spurred long-overdue pay raises and bonuses . The discussion then shifts to Pickens County, Alabama, where a lack of funding led to a total EMS shutdown . Chris and...

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...

In this insightful episode of EMS One-Stop, host Rob Lawrence revisits New Orleans EMS to explore their pioneering use of  body-worn cameras , joined by Chris Keller, chief of operations at New Orleans EMS. The discussion dives into the motivations, challenges and successes of implementing this technology. From its initial deployment on tactical medic teams in 2018, to its current broader rollout,...