Inside EMS

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 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...

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 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 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...

EMS agencies are facing mounting challenges, from staffing shortages and rising operational costs to increasingly complex compliance requirements. However, advanced data systems and integrated technology offer solutions to these persistent issues.   In this episode of Inside EMS, Clinical and Business Consultants Jason Bartholomai and Chuck Sweeney of ZOLL Data Systems discuss how robust EPCR syst...

This week, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson host a virtual book club as they count down the top 10 essential texts that paramedics should have on their shelves – a mix of useful references, anatomy and physiology deep dives, and heartfelt memoirs that capture the essence of EMS work. From learning resources, to comic relief, there’s something for everyone in this list. Did our cohosts exclude a f...

How old are you in EMS years? Are you using clinical skills that should be put out to pasture? Listen as cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson debate the effectiveness of “retired” EMS skills, like nasal and digital intubation, and whether the value of those skills has held up over time. Memorable quotes “If you’re not proficient with all the tools in your box, what does that say about your tr...

Last week, Inside EMS cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson laid out the top 10 indications of a bad EMS supervisor (Did you miss it? Catch it here! ). This week they’re tackling the top signs of a bad employee, such as poor attendance, lack of initiative and a bad attitude – that’s not you, right? Listen as our duo reflects on each characteristic and where they have seen (or exhibited!) those...

The What Paramedics Want in 2024 report , produced by EMS1 and Fitch & Associates, found respondents to the 2024 EMS Trend Survey ranked leadership No. 4 in the critical issues facing EMS today (behind only retention, funding & reimbursement, and career development). In this episode of Inside EMS, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson expose the unpleasant side of EMS leadership by nam...

Welcome to this special crossover edition of EMS One Stop and Inside EMS, recorded live at the EMS World Expo 2024 in Las Vegas. Hosted by Rob Lawrence and Chris Cebollero, this episode features insightful discussions with Dr. Ray Barashansky and Tracy Loscar, EMS Deputy Director at Matanuska-Susitna (MatSu) Borough Department of Emergency Services, Alaska. The episode covers key themes such as le...

This episode of the Inside EMS Podcast is sponsored by Verizon Frontline, the advanced network and technology for first responders. To learn more, visit verizon.com/frontline . The 2024 anniversary of 9/11 marks 23 years since the tragic events that forever altered the course of history and the landscape of public safety. As we move further from that fateful day, the significance of remembering an...

This week on Inside EMS, our cohosts discuss a recent study out of UC Davis Health that highlights the benefits of using naloxone in opioid-associated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest response. Chris and Kelly discuss the results and debate how this knowledge could impact OHCA protocols. Top quotes “If you look at the … survival of hospital discharge, the number needed to treat was 26. So 1 in 26 pa...

This week on the Inside EMS podcast, our hosts delve into a heated discussion on the topic of time requirements and response times in EMS – are they necessary or a nuisance? Listen and watch as Kelly Grayson and Chris Cebollero go back and forth on the history, the reliance and the continued use of response times as a standard metric in EMS.   Top quotes "We are in a mess and a corner we painted o...

In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, host Chris Cebollero walks cohost Kelly Grayson through his recent emergency trip to Italy after his sister experienced a major medical crisis while on vacation in the country. He talks through his shock at certain protocols that would never be found in the U.S., leading to a discussion about necessary care vs. defensive medicine and how that dichotomy is...

“Marijuana use is becoming part of a societal norm.” Our cohosts tackle one of the more contentious topics in the industry, as Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson debate the logistics and implications of allowing EMS providers to consume marijuana in their off-duty time. The use of federal money by most agencies in the country makes this a difficult task. Listen as the discussion tackles the debate...

“You need to set the standard; the standard starts and ends with you.” On this week’s episode of Inside EMS, our cohosts discuss how industry leaders can motivate frontline personnel to become the best clinical version of themselves. Chris and Kelly also preview their upcoming presentations at the Star Life Rural EMS conference, touching on topics ranging from airway management to personal develop...

“All of EMS is volunteerism.” This week, host Chris Cebollero is joined by industry advocate and EMS1 columnist Nancy Magee to discuss the current state of volunteerism in the profession. The conversation explores how leaders can balance the demands placed on volunteers with proper recognition, support and understanding, while also being responsive to the community’s needs. Top quotes from the epi...

This week, our Inside EMS cohosts discuss the rise in popularity of semiglutide drugs – like Ozempic – used for weight loss. Chris and Kelly discuss what providers should know about the use of these drugs, for their personal use and how complications may present in patients. Top quotes "If you're using semiglutide drugs purely as your only means of weight loss, you're going to rebound."  “You eat...