EMS Today

In this episode of Just a Little Salt, Cody Spaulding talks with Jon Vought, a firefighter and the owner of Rescue 1 CBD, to break down what CBD actually is and why it’s become a serious topic in the fire service. Jon explains the difference between hemp and marijuana, how cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, and what the research says about CBD’s impact on inflammation, s...

Respiratory crises in the field rarely fit textbook categories. JEMS Development Editor Mike Brown talks with Hamilton Medical’s Jesse Carroll to separate Type 1 (hypoxemic) from Type 2 (hypercapnic) respiratory failure and recognize the mixed presentations clinicians actually see. They walk through practical cues (SpO2 trends vs end‑tidal CO2), common causes (CHF, COPD, obesity, neuromuscular wea...

JEMS Development Editor Mike Brown sits down with Jonathan Epstein, who leads the American Red Cross healthcare product management team, to unpack the Red Cross’s new Resuscitation Suite. Jonathan explains how the suite reimagines BLS, ALS and pediatric/neonatal resuscitation with EMS-first blended learning, a “practice as you perform” approach that embeds local protocols and integrated cognitive...

Trevor Williams didn’t take a typical path into the fire service. He grew up overseas, living in places like Zaire during the Rwandan genocide and later Haiti during periods of civil unrest. His family’s missionary work with humanitarian organizations exposed him early to crisis, relief work, and the reality of helping people when things fall apart. Years later, that mindset carried straight into...

Flight nurse and creator Nurse Gwenny joins the show to talk frankly about what it really takes to thrive in emergency care when the textbook ends and the hard calls begin. She walks through her path from pre‑med burnout to ER and flight nursing, why traditional courses left her memorizing instead of understanding, and how that frustration drove her to build highly visual, short-form education tha...

Infection control consultant Katherine West breaks down the latest HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) guidelines published in mid-2025. Highlighting key changes since the 2013 update, she explains the shift toward less toxic antiretroviral regimens, elimination of routine baseline lab testing for PEP, and new protocols for exposures involving patients with undetectable viral loads. West emphasize...

Host Chief Shane Wheeler and Assistant Chief Jon Detweiler dive into the complexities of team conflict and the essential role of trust in leadership. Drawing from his decades-long career, Jon shares firsthand experiences managing difficult conversations, especially transitioning from peer to leader. He highlights why many leaders mistakenly view conflict as failure rather than opportunity, and str...

In this episode of Just a Little Salt, licensed counselor Kimberly Ingram dives deep into the unique challenges first responders face in their relationships. Drawing on her extensive experience working with law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other public safety professionals, Kimberly sheds light on the impact of shift work, chronic stress, and trauma on emotional connection at home. They...

Matt Aalto shares insights on cultivating a resilient fire department culture through clear expectations and genuine accountability. Drawing from decades of experience leading both volunteer and career crews in Oregon, Matt highlights how trust, communication, and proactive conflict resolution create an environment where firefighters thrive—both on and off duty. The discussion tackles the challeng...

Eric Chase sits down with John Graham, a respected EMS leader with 27 years of experience, to explore the challenges of mental health in emergency medical services. Reflecting on personal losses within the EMS community and the long-standing culture of “tucking away” trauma, John shares his journey toward embracing vulnerability and therapy. The conversation uncovers the often-unspoken struggles E...

Mike Brown, William Belk and Mike Doss dive into the challenges and evolving practices of simulation-based training. They explore the idea of designing scenarios where even perfect performance doesn’t guarantee success, emphasizing the need to prepare students for unpredictable, high-stress realities without overwhelming beginners. The conversation highlights the important role structured debriefi...

FDNY Chief John Esposito shares insights from his 34-year career, revealing what sets a commissioner apart from a chief, and the realities of managing one of the largest fire departments in the world. Esposito reflects on his early days, the mentors who shaped him, and the profound impact of good leadership in firefighting. He offers a rare glimpse into the toughest decisions made during emergenci...

Steve Tafoya takes a dive deep into a new bill aimed at transforming treatment-in-place capabilities and establishing Medicare reimbursement models tailored for emergency medical providers. Drawing on 25 years of frontline experience and a strong legal and business background, Steve sheds light on the current reimbursement challenges EMS agencies face, with only about 14-25% of calls being fully r...

Eric Chase sits down with Jimmy Apple, aka EMS Avenger, to explore the often-overlooked realities behind emergency medical services. Jimmy breaks down the isolation many providers face, emphasizing the power of genuine relationships and networking in advancing EMS careers. They dive deep into the psychological challenges of frontline care, including the emotional toll of death notifications and th...

By Bram Duffee, PhD, EMT-P For EMS providers who respond to a traumatic cardiac arrest, the instinct to initiate CPR is almost automatic. But could this life-saving intervention inadvertently hinder recovery in cases of severe hemorrhagic shock? A recent study, “Effect of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on Perfusion in a Porcine Model of Severe Hemorrhagic Shock,” challenges conventional wisdom and...

In this candid conversation, Ashlynn O’Dell reflects on the realities of EMS—from first calls amid rural landscapes to navigating complex patient care in unpredictable environments. She shares how EMS became her calling over nursing or firefighting and highlights the often unseen sides of the job: delivering care in difficult living conditions, managing mental health, and staying resilient against...

Joanna Sokol, a seasoned EMT and paramedic, opens up in this revealing conversation on the EMS Improv podcast. Drawing from 13 years on the frontlines and a trove of personal journals, Joanna discusses the emotional turbulence embedded in EMS—from the constant flood of forgettable calls to the rare moments that “grab you by the throat.” She shares how writing her book, “A Real Emergency,” became a...

In this episode of Let’s Get It Straight, infection control consultant and host Katherine West tackles the growing challenge of accessing dependable scientific guidance amid shifting government support and archived resources. With traditional CDC documents and expert advisory groups diminished or disbanded, she unpacks how critical recommendations—such as those comparing N95 respirators to surgica...

EMS Research Podcast Host Bram Duffee dives into a recent study examining ChatGPT’s ability to predict prehospital patient diagnoses based on paramedic care reports. ChatGPT accurately identified conditions 75% of the time and often erred on the side of caution, potentially reducing dangerous under-triage. Duffee is joined by lead researcher Erik Miller, a nurse practitioner and paramedic turned r...

In this episode of the JEMS Report, Mike Brown sits down with EMS advocates David Blevins and Sam Magill to discuss groundbreaking federal legislation introduced by Senators Collins and Welch that aims to expand treat-in-place programs and establish sustainable funding models for Mobile Integrated Health (MIH). They explore how this legislation could shift EMS from the traditional transport-focuse...

The world of prehospital medicine is constantly evolving, driven by new research, technological advancements, and a shared commitment to improving patient care and provider well-being. As EMS professionals, staying informed about these developments goes beyond a professional obligation; it is an opportunity to improve our practice, champion our profession, and ultimately make a greater impact on s...

In this episode of Just Little Salt, Dr. Alexandra Jabr, founder of Emergency Resilience and a licensed paramedic, shines a light on the challenges of delivering death notifications in emergency medical services. Drawing from years on the front lines and her advanced studies in health and depth psychology, Dr. Jabr, a new member of the JEMS Advisory Board, discusses why clear and compassionate com...

In this episode of the Not A-Fib podcast, Virginia Beach (VA) EMS Chief Jason Stroud discusses a recent operational shift limiting the use of lights and sirens for non-emergent calls. Drawing on research and local data showing minimal impact on patient outcomes but significant safety risks—including increased ambulance collisions—Chief Stroud explains why the department is prioritizing safer, more...

Ed Fowler’s 40-year career in fire and EMS culminates in a transformative chapter as he helps El Reno, Oklahoma, transition its EMS from private to an in-house, city-managed service—an innovative model focusing on sustainability, independence, and community trust. Ed shares his leadership philosophy grounded in accountability, clear communication, and mentoring future leaders. Amid this profession...

Jack, known online as Electric Medic, shares an unfiltered look at his journey through EMS—from earning his med school diploma to working high-stakes gigs like Electric Daisy Carnival cruises. He reveals what keeps him grounded amid intense calls, the challenges of overnight shifts, and why the low-speed fender bender calls grind his gears. Jack dives into his unexpected rise on TikTok and Instagr...