Through the Lens of - The EMS Wizard Podcast

In this episode, John, Terence, and Mark sit down with Dalton Barrett of Edgecombe County EMS to explore the evolution and real-world impact of their Community Paramedic Program. Dalton shares how the program was designed to address gaps in care, reduce unnecessary emergency department utilization, and strengthen relationships with community partners. The conversation highlights how community para...

In this episode, John and Kathia welcome Kristy Bryant, EMS Director for Yancey County. Kristy shares her personal journey from the field into administration, shaped in large part by leading through the height of COVID. She reflects on the challenges of decision-making, leadership growth, and balancing operational demands during unprecedented times. The conversation also explores her role in navig...

In this episode of the EMS Wizard Podcast, John and Terence explore how the word help carries very different meanings across the EMS profession, from the street to the administrative office. They discuss how field providers often view help as immediate, hands-on support, while managers and leaders may define help through systems, policies, and long-term solutions. The conversation highlights how t...

In this episode of the EMS Wizard Podcast, John and Terence welcome Steve Wirth, founding partner of Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, for a conversation centered on the future of EMS and the growing importance of mentorship in the profession. The discussion explores how the field is evolving and why developing strong, supportive leaders is essential for navigating today’s challenges. Steve shares how i...

In this episode of the EMS Wizard Podcast, John, Terry, and Walter sit down with Robby Milton, Deputy Director of Support Services with Iredell County, to talk about leadership growth, adapting to change, and the evolving landscape of EMS management. Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook. 

In this episode, we explore the idea of “reading the room you’re not in” and how situational awareness extends beyond patient care into leadership and management. We compare the skill sets of paramedics and managers, where they overlap, where they differ, and whether being good in one role prepares you for success in the other. Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find...

In this episode we explore the timely and sometimes controversial question: does AI have a place in EMS narrative writing? As tools like ChatGPT become more accessible to EMS professionals, we examine how artificial intelligence could improve efficiency and reduce documentation fatigue, while also discussing the risks of inaccuracy, legal implications, and ethical concerns. We break down the pros...

In this special EMS Week 2025 episode, hosts John, Terry, and Kathia come together to celebrate the individuals, teams, and institutions that define the heart of emergency medical services. The conversation begins with a look back at the origins of EMS Week, first recognized in 1974 under President Gerald Ford, and how it has grown into a national moment of reflection, gratitude, and recognition....

The guests have infiltrated the show and brought an innocent bystander in the form of Surry County EMS Director, Eric Southern. The discussion will take you through growing pains of a rural EMS system and into the modern identity of the profession as well strategies of the ongoing burnout problem.  Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook. 

John and Terence delve into North Carolina House Bill 975, which proposes allowing EMS personnel to carry pepper spray while on duty, either openly or concealed. The bill aims to prevent the North Carolina Medical Care Commission and the Office of EMS from enforcing rules that prohibit EMS workers from carrying pepper spray as permitted under existing state law. John and Terence discuss the potent...

In this episode, John and Terry explore the implications of North Carolina House Bill 675, which proposes requiring National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) certification for initial EMS credentialing in the state. They break down the bill’s intent, discuss how it could impact EMS education programs, and examine potential challenges for agencies and training institutions. The conversation covers how beco...

In this episode of the EMS Wizard Podcast, we chat with Dr. Brent Myers, Chief Medical Officer of ESO, to explore his incredible journey from working as an orderly to becoming a national leader in EMS and data-driven healthcare. Dr. Myers shares insights from his career, including his experiences in high-performance EMS systems, the evolution of data analytics in emergency medicine, and what it ta...

In this episode, John & Terence sit down with Adam Godwin, Assistant Chief of Johnston County EMS, to explore the vital role of logistics in emergency medical services. Adam shares his journey in EMS and how he became involved in logistics, shedding light on how efficient management of supplies, fleet, and staffing can enhance patient care and response times. Support the show Thanks for listen...

In this episode, we explore various leadership styles and their impact in the EMS field. Understanding leadership approaches such as autocratic, democratic, transformational, situational, and servant leadership is crucial for improving team dynamics, morale, and operational success. We discuss how autocratic leadership suits crisis management, while democratic leadership fosters collaboration and...

In this festive episode, we embrace the spirit of the season with a reflective journey through the "EMS Ghosts of the Past, Present, and Future." Drawing inspiration from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol , we explore the evolution of EMS, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of its early days, the advancements and hurdles of today, and the exciting yet uncertain possibilities...

Are you ready to party? Would you invite management? Should you? Either way, we coming! Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook. 

Join the team as they evaluate conversations that can be difficult.  Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook. 

Would EMS personnel make good politicians? Why do they quit EMS? Are the 2 questions related? After suffering a massive defeat in the election, we examine those questions in this episode.  Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook. 

In the return from the end of summer hiatus, John is not the only thing missing.  Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook. 

In this episode the crew welcomes Blair Tyndall from VFIS to talk about... Insurance? But, why? You'll see.  Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook. 

Spontaneity: the condition of being spontaneous; spontaneous behavior or action. We get all that from a guest that can only be Jeffrey W. Hinshaw, PA-C.    Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook. 

Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages: The EMS Wizard Podcast proudly brings to you it's 2024 Tag Team Champions of the Wooooooooooooooooorld! You know the rest.  Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook. 

Is EMS vulgar? Is profanity a part of the EMS culture? Does that change in management? Is it necessary? Maybe these get answered. Maybe we make it #!@* worse.  Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook. 

Pender County may not have best friends or sharks, but they do have Chief David Dudding and a flourishing fleet of fire-based EMS. We dive into the pearls of wisdom in leading EMS inside that model in this episode.  Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook. 

Is it a community college or an EMS agency? Join the band while we talk with Brian Hehl with Bladen Community College as he explains why the answer to that is, yes.  Support the show Thanks for listening! Follow us on Instagram or find us on Facebook.