Code 321 Podcast

Courtney Newman flips the script and interviews Nick on one of EMS leadership’s hardest skills: communication. They unpack trust, timing, feedback, conflict, gossip, written versus verbal conversations, and how strong teams handle hard moments with clarity, curiosity, and kindness, without losing sight of culture, relationships, or the patient at the center.

Nick Carson and Prescott Nadeau discuss why mistakes happen in emergency services and how learning from them, through humility, training, and strong systems, makes teams safer and more effective on the street and on the fireground

A deep dive into Into Thin Air  by Jon Krakauer, as Nick and Medical Director of Precision, Dr. Chance Sullivan, unpack the 1996 Everest disaster, exploring altitude physiology, human behavior, decision-making traps, and the striking parallels between mountaineering and high-risk work in EMS, fire, and flight medicine. Link to Book: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Thin-Air-Personal-Disaster/dp/0385494...

Prescott Nadeau talks with Drew Clymer about what really happens in backcountry rescue: soaring call volumes, seasonal patterns, technical litter carries, and a high-stakes Camel’s Hump search. Drew Clymer is the Vermont State Search and Rescue Coordinator and the Deputy Chief of Stowe Mountain Rescue. 

Everyone remembers their first time on stage: sweaty palms, shaky slides, and the voice in your head saying, “You’re not ready.” In this episode, Nick, Prescott, and David Weiss talk honestly about conquering stage fright, connecting with audiences, and using conferences to grow as providers and educators. It’s equal parts encouragement and practical advice for anyone ready to step into the spotli...

Nick and Prescott sit down with special guest Chris Smetana to tackle one of the toughest topics in fire and EMS: how to recruit, retain, and reinvigorate the workforce. From cadet programs and early training to leadership accountability and burnout, they break down why providers leave, what keeps them engaged, and how culture and mentorship make all the difference. https://www.jems.com/ems-manage...

Nick Carson and Prescott Nadeau reflect on their journeys through Fire and EMS, including what they’ve learned, what they’d do differently, and the advice they wish they had heard earlier. From rookie mistakes to the power of mentorship, this episode offers honest insights into life in the fire service and how it shapes the people who serve.

When the mechanism is high and the vitals don’t match, what do you do next? In this episode of Code 321 , Nick and Prescott sit down with flight paramedic Stew Hall to talk real trauma. Bleeding you can't see, curveball patients who "look fine," and why good BLS can make or break the golden hour. From the back roads of Vermont to the back of the aircraft, this is trauma care right of boom . 

This month, Prescott is joined by his twin brother, Major Will Nadeau of the U.S. Marine Corps. They dive into the shared values of the military and fire service — tradition, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. From clean trucks to combat readiness, this powerful episode explores why the little things matter and how holding the line on standards builds elite teams.

Nick and Prescott sit down with longtime friends and fellow firefighters Dave, Whitney, and Eddie for an honest, funny, and heartfelt chat about life in the fire service. From rookie stories to firehouse culture and leadership lessons, they reflect on what brought them to the job—and what keeps them coming back. It’s all about the people, the kitchen table, and the moments that matter.

Steve Petit is a Deputy Chief of Administration for the City of Burlington Fire Department in Vermont. He has over 20 years of experience in the fire service in various levels of leadership. Steve has also served in EMS and Technical rescue capacities with a special passion for teaching Rope Rescue Operations. This episode, Nick and Prescott talk with Steve about how you can get yourself ready to...

Dr. Chance Sullivan joins Nick and Prescott to talk medicine in the mountains this month. Chance is an attending ER physician in Colorado just outside Denver. Before medical school, he worked as a backcountry guide in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. He has spent two summers as an expedition physician in Alaska for the Juneau Icefields Research Program and also spent a season working at...

Welcome back to Season 5! After almost 5 years of the show, Code 321 officially has a new co-host. Prescott Nadeau, a long-time friend of the show and host of his own Life, Fire, Layout podcast, joins our team to discuss all things morale. Nick and Prescott talk about what makes employees happy and what both sides of the chief's desk can do to make the organization thrive. 

Eryn Hart is a high-risk Maternal-Fetal Medicine Surgeon at Crowell Health West in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Before working as a doctor, she served as a 911 provider at the EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic levels. She has completed a residency in Obstetrics/Gynecology and a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal medicine. Eryn also serves in the United States Navy Reserve as a Maternal-Fetal physician. This episode e...

Courtney Tomaino is a state-level administrator and a current NREMT Paramedic. She has served in volunteer and paid EMS services in capacities ranging from CPR-certified driver to crew chief paramedic while raising a family with young kids in Vermont. She is involved in training, education, clinical practice, and administration centered around EMS providers. This episode is the second in the Lesso...

This episode of the show dives into ten common pitfalls in treating a sick hypothermia patient with a brief look into the rationale behind it. From equipment to cellular metabolism, this episode will help identify and prevent the common problems with this atypical patient. Below are the references to read through the source documents for this content.  AHA Part 10.4: Hypothermia www.circulationaha...

This special sneak peek is a selection from Precision’s national conference talks on training program methodology. Everyone wins when the training programs work, so where does it go wrong? This episode will dive into the fundamental structure of a training program and why students succeed. Did you know Precision offers consultation for training program design? Everything from writing a full curric...

This episode is for the techies. Artificial Intelligence isn’t just for Science Fiction anymore. The technology is here and rapidly moving into the healthcare field. This episode breaks down the types of AI, how it learns, and how it is being used in the healthcare system so far. How do you feel about AI in the healthcare system? Visit www.precisiontrainingusa.com to connect and share your thought...

Critical Care Nurse Riley Hoke joins the show to share the nitty gritty about DKA pathophysiology, identification, and management. Riley has worked as a 911 Advanced EMT, a Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) Nurse, and a flight nurse for the UVM Health Network transport team. This episode will dive into the complex pathophysiology of DKA and how treatment is much more than just lowering the blood...

This episode of the Code 321 Podcast features Colleen Githens, a flight-certified respiratory therapist with 14 years of experience in emergency respiratory care. Colleen has served all patient populations as an RT including as a member of the critical care flight team. Colleen shares tips about how to approach sick pediatric patients and how to prepare for the kids in distress.

Emergency Medicine Toxicology Doctor Joe Kennedy joins the show to share about how he approaches a patient who might be suffering from a toxicology emergency. From mushrooms to grandma’s medication, it’s his job to figure out what chemicals are causing the issue and correct them. Did you know the poison control hotline has an option for medical providers? Give them a call next time you encounter a...

This month's episode is for the nerds. Dive deep into cardiac physiology, pharmacology, and invasive hemodynamics of a critical care patient. Have you ever wondered what critical care transport patients are like? Have your Google machine and a hot cup of coffee ready. Remember, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology are the building blocks of great patient care. Special thanks to Dr. Doug George...

Derek Gavelis is a seasoned outdoor adventurer and current firefighter. Derek shares how years of high-risk adventure sports like rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and kayaking have taught him life lessons he applies to his career in emergency services. Derek shares how adrenaline seekers share parallels with those responding to emergencies. 

Kyle Blake is a Lieutenant assigned to Engine 1 in Downtown Burlington, Vermont, and is the Recruit Academy Lead Instructor for new firefighters in the department. Kyle is responsible for developing the next generation joining the department ranks with a novel approach to entry-level firefighter training. Today’s episode is the first in a new series from the Code 321 Podcast called “Lessons in Lea...

David Weiss is a Critical Care Flight Nurse (CFRN) who serves on the Vermont State Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team. As a nurse, David works full-time in a Level 1 Trauma Center Emergency Department and with the UVM HealthNet Transport Critical Care HEMS Program. He started his EMS career at 16, working on various EMS agencies in the Northeast. David holds specialty care certifications in Criti...