In this episode of Beyond the Checklist, host Kevin Rhea sits down with Sarah McEntee, Executive Director of the Commission on Accreditation for Ambulance Services (CAAS). Together, they explore how CAAS has been shaping excellence in EMS for decades—helping agencies deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality care to communities across the country.

Sarah shares her personal journey into leadership, the mission and impact of CAAS, and how accreditation goes far beyond paperwork to transform organizations, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen agency culture. The conversation dives into the evolving landscape of EMS, from workforce challenges to innovation and future readiness, while highlighting the role of accreditation as both a benchmark of excellence and a catalyst for lasting change.

Whether you’re an EMS leader, a public safety professional, or simply curious about how standards drive better care and safer communities, this episode offers practical insights, inspiring stories, and a deeper look at why accreditation matters more than ever.

Podcast Series: Leadership & Accreditation with Dr. Kimberly Miller

Episode 1: Origins, Mission, and the Culture of Leadership & Accountability

In the first episode of this four-part series, Dr. Kimberly Miller takes us to the intersection of leadership and accreditation—where culture sets the foundation for everything else. Over the course of 45 minutes, we unpack how origins, mission, and culture shape the way leaders drive accountability and lasting change within their organizations.

Dr. Miller shares her own origin story, including the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership philosophy and why she committed herself to strengthening public safety agencies through leadership and accreditation. From there, we explore how strong leaders keep people centered on mission—not just metrics—and why organizations falter when policies become the mission itself.

Listeners will also gain insight into the role of culture as the ultimate form of accountability. What does a healthy culture look like? How can leaders repair toxic environments? And why is culture not just an internal factor but also the foundation for accreditation success?

Finally, we connect the dots between accreditation and accountability. Dr. Miller breaks down how buy-in at the leadership level can make or break accreditation efforts, and why tools like culture audits and staff surveys aren’t just compliance checks but powerful leadership instruments.

Whether you are a chief officer, accreditation manager, or emerging leader, this episode challenges you to reflect on your origin story, re-center on your true mission, and take small, actionable steps to align your leadership with the culture you want to create.

https://www.kimberlymillerconsulting.com

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist, we sit down with **Wendy Sellers—The HR Lady®—**to explore how people-centered leadership drives culture, compliance, and organizational success. With over 30 years of experience across industries, Wendy has helped leaders transform toxic workplaces, reduce turnover by up to 75%, and build healthier, more resilient teams.

Though not an accreditation professional herself, Wendy’s expertise in HR, leadership training, and organizational wellness brings fresh and practical insights for NAAL members. From shaping culture to embedding policy into daily practice, she offers actionable strategies that resonate with public safety leaders, accreditation managers, and assessors.

Tune in as we discuss:

• How Wendy became The HR Lady® and built her no-nonsense HR philosophy

• Spotting early red flags of a toxic culture—and turning it around

• The ROI of HR: data-driven strategies to improve engagement and performance

• Coaching vs. commanding: training leaders to thrive in high-stress environments

• Practical lessons for accreditation professionals seeking influence without authority

If you’re looking for real-world strategies to connect compliance with culture—and to put people at the heart of leadership—this episode is for you.

The Data Behind Accreditation: A Thought Leader Conversation with Dr. Gordon Abner

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist, host Kevin Rhea, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the National Association for Accreditation Leadership (NAAL), sits down with Dr. Gordon Abner, Assistant Professor of Public Management at the University of Texas at Austin’s LBJ School of Public Affairs — one of the few scholars deeply researching the real-world impacts of accreditation in public safety.

From public trust to organizational change, Dr. Abner’s work bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering evidence-based insights for law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency management, corrections, and communications. Together, they unpack:

• Why public support for accreditation is stronger than many think

• How CALEA accreditation influences community policing, gender diversity, and institutional learning

• Whether accreditation limits local control or strengthens community voice

• Practical lessons accreditation managers can apply today to build legitimacy and trust

If you’ve ever needed data to back up the value of accreditation — or wanted to understand its deeper social and organizational impact — this conversation will equip you with research-driven takeaways and a renewed vision for continuous improvement.

Data-Driven Progress: Fire Accreditation & Innovation with Thomas Breyer

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist, host Kevin Rhea sits down with Thomas Breyer—NAAL Advisory Board Member, former Commissioner with the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), and a leading voice in fire service data modernization.

From the fireground to the boardroom, Thomas shares his journey into accreditation leadership and how real-time data systems are reshaping the fire service’s approach to performance, equity, and community impact. He offers practical insights for agencies looking to move beyond “check-the-box” compliance toward truly transformational change, reveals the common blind spots that can derail accreditation efforts, and outlines quick wins for improvement—regardless of agency size.

Whether you’re in fire, EMS, law enforcement, or emergency management, this conversation will challenge you to see accreditation not as an obligation, but as a strategic driver for innovation and trust.

Turning Standards into Strategy with EMAP Executive Director Nicole Ishmael-Livingston

What if emergency management accreditation wasn’t just a checkbox—but a blueprint for transformation?

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist, host Kevin Rhea sits down with Nicole Ishmael-Livingston, Executive Director of the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), for a candid and compelling conversation about the power of accreditation to shape culture, align policy with purpose, and drive strategic change. Nicole shares how EMAP helps emergency management programs go beyond compliance to build capability, resilience, and trust. From real-world examples to lessons learned across sectors, this episode offers practical insights for anyone working to elevate public safety through accreditation.

Whether you're an emergency manager, assessor, or accreditation leader—this episode is packed with takeaways that will challenge and inspire you.

🔊 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

What if accreditation wasn’t just about compliance—but about culture?

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist, host Kevin Rhea sits down with Dr. Lynn Odenthal—a seasoned leader whose two decades of experience in law enforcement and corrections have made her a go-to expert in transforming accreditation from a checklist into a catalyst for real change.

From overcoming resistance and building buy-in to helping agencies reconnect policy with purpose, Dr. Odenthal shares practical insights and powerful stories that challenge how we think about standards, leadership, and organizational integrity.

If you’ve ever wondered what separates box-checking from culture-shifting, this conversation is your blueprint.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired to lead accreditation with purpose, not paperwork.

The Heart of Accreditation: A Conversation with Director Deann MacLeod
In this inspiring episode of Beyond the Checklist, host Kevin Rhea sits down with Director Deann MacLeod—a dynamic leader who has championed accreditation across fire, and communications in Kingman, Arizona. From guiding the Kingman Fire Department through CFAI accreditation to achieving CALEA and ALEAP standards in the city’s dispatch center, Deann shares what it truly takes to align multiple disciplines under a shared vision of excellence. Together, they explore how accreditation transforms not just operations, but culture, collaboration, and community trust. Whether you’re new to accreditation or leading the charge, this episode will leave you motivated to lead with purpose—beyond the checklist.

In this episode of Beyond the Checklist, we’re joined by Areaka Jewell — a respected leader in public safety accreditation — for a conversation about what it means to go deeper than just compliance. Areaka shares real-world insights on leading with purpose, building sustainable systems, and how agencies can transform accreditation from a one-time event into a continuous culture of excellence.

Whether you're a veteran accreditation manager or just starting your journey, this episode is packed with wisdom, encouragement, and practical takeaways you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, longtime friends and colleagues Kevin Rhea and Michael Warren reflect on over two decades of shared experience in public safety. Together, they explore how accreditation can serve as a powerful leadership tool to build healthy, high-performing agencies. With deep roots and a shared commitment to professional growth, this conversation blends practical insight, real-world experience, and a genuine passion for helping agencies move beyond the checklist to true cultural transformation.