EMS Today

As EMS transitions to a more proactive primary care role in the field, how are we in education creating the context needed for students to succeed?  Greg Johnson joins us for this discussion. He is the EMT/AEMT Coordinator at Columbia State Community College where he leads a highly successful EMT and Advanced EMT program. He is well-versed in didactic, practical, and clinical development of the EM...

What does an acute stress response look like from a critical incident? Should management have the responsibility of recognizing and intervening in their crew's mental health? Hear Karen O’Barr’s story of her mental growth after a severe traumatic incident as a paramedic.

Welcome to Real Life Rescues, a podcast that goes behind the scenes and takes an in-depth look into the operational and personal accounts of EMS first responders from Israel’s largest fully volunteer EMS provider United Hatzalah. The podcast is hosted by EMT-P (Paramedic) Dov Maisel and EMT-B (EMT) Raphael Poch. Dov Maisel, in addition to being an innovator, volunteer and world-renowned expert in...

On this week’s episode of the EMS Handoff, Eric, Bradley and David take on a conversation about the changing status and laws around the country on the use of marijuana, hemp and CBD products. As the access to some of the derivatives become more readily available, what are the implications of the EMS practitioner in regards to personal use, and what expectations you have when it comes to being drug...

Katherine West looks at how community paramedics need to play a role in infection control procedures.

In the intro podcast to the Ready Room, Derrick Jacobus discusses the word no one wants to hear – suicide. Clinician suicide is an issue that is kept quiet. Resiliency. Therapy. EAP. Counseling. These are words that are not spoken in EMS, so what can we do about it? Join in to hear the introduction to suicide in EMS and provider wellbeing.

In this week’s episode of the EMS Handoff, Bradley, Eric and David come back together behind the EMS Handoff microphones after a much-needed week of rest to discuss those common “lift assist” calls. Ambulance services and fire departments have regular calls to help citizens  when they fall and are uninjured. Risk mitigation is not only something that should be done when looking at a community, it...

What does nearly 40 years of a fire career look like? Hear the story of Chief Mark Romer and his self-reflection of how mental wellness has changed in the fire service – and in his own life.

In this week’s episode of the EMS Handoff, Eric takes the lead as David took the week off. Eric and Bradley are joined in the EMS Handoff Studio to discuss the process of delayed sequence intubation. This spirited discussion, which may have a little heckling of David, includes the current evidence in airway management, especially when using medication to support the process. Tune in and see what y...

Scot Phelps and Maria talk about the Elijah McClain indictment against three police officers and two paramedics. The People of the State of Colorado vs. RANDY ROEDEMA, JASON ROSENBLATT, NATHAN WOODYARD, JEREMY COOPER, PETER CICHUNIEC, Defendants.  https://www.pwwemslaw.com/sites/default/files/elijah-mcclain-grand-jury-indictment.pdf Legal analysis: What the paramedic criminal charges in the Elijah...

"We don't have any options." - Brian Schaeffer This week, Eric, Bradley and David welcome the Disaster Preparedness committee to celebrate National Disaster Preparedness Month. This conversation begins with the work of the Disaster Preparedness Committee and then moves into discussion of preparedness of the practitioner.  Guests on the show: Anthony Scott, Debra Bell, William Tatum, Brian Schaeffe...

U.S. Army Soldier Tony Cota started his first day of basic training on Sept. 11, 2001. Hear from a soldier's perspective of the impact of wartime and coming home with moral injuries and traumatic images. Cota entered the fire service and found the strength to attend the IAFF Center of Excellence where he was able to put his mental wellness first. "When I felt like everything was coming down on me...

This week, Bradley, Eric and David come together for a conversation over a case study. In this case, study we take a look at the treatment and transportation of a 56 year old who is complaining of chest pain; and subsequent 12-lead confirms that. Would you administer the nitroglycerin or hold for another treatment? References Prehospital Nitroglycerin Safety in Inferior ST Elevation Myocardial Inf...

On this week’s episode of The EMS Handoff, Tennessee EMS Medical Director Dr. Joe Holley, and Dr. Todd Heffern, emergency department director, EMS medical director and president of the Tennessee Chapter of the National Association of EMS Physicians, discuss the role of the EMS physician medical director in 2021 and beyond.  * The "Active" Medical Director * ASEP Position Statement * NAEMSP Positio...

"Nothing is done as an individual, not fighting and not dealing with trauma, life, war.... nothing." - John Spencer, U.S. Army Major (Ret.) Retired U.S. Army Major John Spencer shares his story on his journey through war, family dynamics and his own perspectives of what "strength" means. Spencer has a book coming out that is referenced in the podcast in Spring 2022 called "Connected Soldiers; Life...

This week, Bradley and David take a look at body cam footage and a presentation that was put out by the Sheriff of San Diego County, California, after a recent incident in which a deputy was face-to-face with a powder substance and suffered a medical emergency. This video has received publicity on both sides of the conversation. With limited information, we recognize the actions of the partner who...

Hosts Scot Phelps and Maria Werner talk about a potpourri of issues in EMS, everything from the San Diego (CA) Deputy Sheriff who allegedly OD'ed on fentanyl, raises coming to the FDNY EMS and COVID-19.

In this week’s episode of the EMS Handoff Podcast, Eric, Bradley, and David discuss the hot-button topic of body worn cameras in EMS. This is a topic that has made its way through law enforcement, and now with multiple conversations, it is being discussed in EMS. Here are our thoughts.   * Patient privacy concerns * Blurring the line between us and law enforcement * What is our use of force policy...

Infection control expert Katherine West talks about best practices to protect yourself, coworkers and your patients from infection.

In this week’s episode of the EMS Handoff Podcast, Eric, Bradley, and David welcome each other (at least until David’s internet failed us all) to discuss the current status of coronavirus, vaccinations and misconceptions.  Digging a hole in the boat Let’s talk about the numbers Deaths from COVID Fall 2021 Resurgence Smallpox and COVID Science Breakdown

What is the fear behind first responders calling employee assistance program resources? Daltona (FL) Fire Lt. Heather Langston discusses her mental wellness journey and her perspectives about the fire service.

Join Hostess Brett Lyle and caffeine scientist, author and speaker Danielle Robertson Rath as they talk through how to beat burnout in the workplace. In this information-packed episode, Danielle shares details from her book, "How to Get Sh*t Done When You Feel Like Sh*t," introduces the five levels of fatigue; gives Emergent Leaders three quick ways to identify fatigue levels in themselves and the...

Lonnie Ellis is a lieutenant for Rowan County Emergency Services. He has been with the agency for nearly four years but has been a paramedic for 15 years. Lonnie started his career in Volusia County, Florida in 2006. He serves in multiple roles besides his officer role as a tactical medic for the county and Salisbury PD SWAT Teams.

What does it say about us when your uniform makes you look like a delivery driver? Scot Phelps and Maria Werner discuss.

The EMS Handoff crew goes it solo discussing the EMS Agenda 2050. Show Highlights  Retro EMS in 2021 Adaptive EMS Mindset Adequate Staffing the Clinician of the Future Virtual Hospital Telehealth, Community Paramedicine, and Home Health Auto-ambulances...Roll Out!