EMS One-Stop

Join Rob Lawrence on EMS One-Stop as he welcomes Sunny Wescott, chief meteorologist at the Department of Homeland Security, for an eye-opening discussion about the impact of extreme weather on emergency services and critical infrastructure.

Sunny shares her expertise on meteorological trends, the challenges of preparing for severe weather events, and the evolving role of EMS in managing climate-induced emergencies. From hurricanes and polar vortices, to the implications of electric vehicle adoption during extreme weather, this episode is packed with actionable insights for public safety leaders and EMS professionals.

Rob and Sunny explore the complex interplay between extreme weather and emergency response, emphasizing the importance of proactive planning and reliable information sources. Sunny delves into the science behind weather phenomena like atmospheric rivers, Rex blocks and heatwaves, connecting them to real-world challenges faced by first responders.

During this edition of EMS One-Stop discover the tools, resources and strategies Sunny recommends for staying ahead of severe weather impacts on both infrastructure and personnel, and gain practical advice for improving communication with the public during weather crises, ensuring safety and minimizing risk.

Key quotes from this episode

“The uneven heating of our planet is amplifying weather events, making them stronger and more unpredictable.” — Sunny Wescott

“The weather affects everything – and for EMS leaders, preparation isn't optional, it's essential.” — Rob Lawrence

“We’re seeing infrastructure pushed to its breaking point by weather extremes – things we couldn’t anticipate when they were built.” — Sunny Wescott

“Sometimes, the hardest command decision is telling your crews, ‘We’re hunkering down now.’ It’s the right call, but it’s never an easy one.” — Rob Lawrence

“Your life means so much more than the possessions inside your home. Evacuate early – it’s always the safest choice.” — Sunny Wescott

“Let’s face it: weather is as much a part of public safety planning as personnel and resources.” — Rob Lawrence

“Weather preparedness isn’t just about forecasts; it’s about collaboration, data sharing and breaking down silos across sectors.” — Sunny Wescott

Timeline

00:24 – Rob’s introduction and reflections on weather in the UK and US

01:22 – Sunny explains global weather patterns and their cascading impacts

03:32 – Sunny describes her role at DHS and how critical infrastructure is assessed against weather risks

11:13 – Hurricane trends, preparedness and landfall impacts for 2025

20:00 – EMS-specific challenges during extreme heat and cold, including effects on equipment and personnel

24:04 – How to interpret long-term weather forecasts and model reliability

30:06 – Operational decisions during extreme weather events, like grounding helicopters and using resources wisely

36:06 – Final thoughts on misinformation, insurance concerns, and public safety resilience

Additional resources

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 patients, leaving women underserved and misdiagnosed.

From cardiac care to drug research, Tim explains how biases have permeated everything from symptom recognition to treatment protocols. Did you know that women experiencing heart attacks rarely exhibit the “classic” symptoms, like chest pain? Or that 8 out of 10 drugs pulled from the market between 1997 and 2001 were due to severe side effects in women?

If you’re someone passionate about improving patient outcomes, this episode will make you rethink what you know – and don’t know – about women’s health in EMS.

Memorable quotes

“Medicine historically has been white males doing the doctoring, writing the textbooks and doing the studies. So, what that has led to, by no one’s fault, is to this very male-centric view of medicine.”

“The most accurate tool for confirming and diagnosing MI in women is an MRI and that really blew my mind.  I can’t think of any time that I’ve heard a doc say, ‘Let’s get an MRI for that cardiac female patient.’”

Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

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 understanding the “why” behind shock presentations, from recognizing when fluids won’t work to knowing when vasopressors are the answer. With anecdotes like treating a sepsis patient on ACE inhibitors and using pulse ox waveforms for clues, this episode blends science with field-tested wisdom. Whether you’re an EMT, paramedic, or just an anatomy nerd, you’ll walk away with a clearer picture of how the RAAS keeps us alive – and how we, as EMS professionals, can work smarter alongside it.

Memorable quotes

“It's called, ‘The Renan Angiotensin Aldosterone System – not just a planetary belt in Star Wars’”. — Kelly Grayson

“So, the kidneys now say, ‘We're not getting enough blood. Here's this renin that we're gonna send out because we've gotta fix this problem.’ What the body doesn't know is that Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson and you are out there trying to fix it. So it’s trying to fix itself.” — Chris Cebollero

Related resources:

Understanding push dose pressors

Understanding prehospital vasopressors: Dopamine, epinephrine or norepinephrine?

A basic overview of shock for EMS

Compensated vs. decompensated shock: what you need to know

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Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.

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Catch a new episode of the Inside EMS podcast every Friday. Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

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 of embracing the philosophy “be curious, not judgmental,” a guiding principle that urges EMS providers to set aside assumptions about patients and colleagues. Other takeaways include the value of challenging oneself to grow, the significance of second chances, and the power of building a trusted support system.  

From embracing discomfort, to cultivating belief in others and finding small ways to show kindness, the episode encourages EMS professionals to lead with both heart and purpose. 

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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 vehicle, they landed on a roof? That’s exactly what happened in Michigan. Or a tractor-trailer cab dangling precariously off a bridge? Louisville firefighters made a daring rescue of a semi-driver in just such a predicament. And let’s not forget the aquarium at a Texas hospital that literally cushioned the blow of a car crashing into the ER. Turns out, those tropical fish weren’t just for decoration after all.

These stories remind us that no call is ever routine, and the unpredictable nature of EMS keeps us on our toes. It’s also a good reminder to revisit training and be ready for the “what-ifs,” from trench rescues to chemical response protocols.

Quotables

Top 5 craziest EMS calls of 2024

Enjoying the show? Email the Inside EMS team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

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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 Kelly explore how underfunded systems collapse under the weight of low reimbursement rates, poor public understanding of EMS costs, and systemic inaction until tragedy strikes.

Through real-world examples, the hosts unpack why it’s essential to “vote with your feet” as an EMS professional and how agencies can keep talent by either paying well or fostering loyalty – though they can’t afford to fail at both. If you’ve ever wondered why EMS seems stuck in a financial rut, this episode offers insights that hit close to home.

ABOUT THE SPONSOR

Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.

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Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

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 foster accountability across an organization. From managing expectations to addressing fairness in discipline, our cohosts discuss the challenges of enforcing standards and avoiding the normalization of deviance. Whether it's implementing safety protocols or shifting organizational norms, this episode unpacks how leaders and teams can work together to inspire meaningful change.

Quotable takeaways

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In this insightful episode of EMS One-Stop, host Rob Lawrence revisits New Orleans EMS to explore their pioneering use of body-worn cameras, joined by Chris Keller, chief of operations at New Orleans EMS.

The discussion dives into the motivations, challenges and successes of implementing this technology. From its initial deployment on tactical medic teams in 2018, to its current broader rollout, Chris shares the journey of navigating legal frameworks, staff buy-in and operational logistics. The conversation also highlights how body-worn cameras enhance patient care documentation, bolster staff safety and provide an unbiased account of events, positioning them as an emerging industry standard.

This episode offers practical advice on policy development, procurement processes and operational use cases, including their application during Mardi Gras and high-acuity events. With the aim to demystify the implementation process, Chris emphasizes the importance of collaboration, adaptability and using technology to improve EMS practices. Rob and Chris also discuss future goals for the program, funding challenges, and the potential for body-worn cameras to become a cornerstone of EMS operations nationwide.

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 systems and streamlined workflows can reduce inefficiencies, improve patient care and ease the burden on EMS teams.

Here are top takeaways leaders can learn from this episode about overcoming today’s EMS challenges.

Use technology to reduce workload inefficiencies and support field personnel.

Staffing shortages are a top concern for EMS leaders nationwide. Long shifts, redundant documentation and poor integration between field and dispatch operations exacerbate the stress on paramedics. EPCR systems can alleviate some of these pressures by:

Streamlining documentation with intuitive workflows that reduce time spent on reports

Improving coordination between field crews, dispatchers and billing teams through integrated software solutions

Enhancing employee satisfaction by minimizing administrative burdens and allowing more focus on patient care and recovery time

By implementing systems that improve efficiency, EMS agencies can help retain personnel and maximize the output of limited resources.

Holistic software ecosystems can simplify compliance and improve data accuracy.

Compliance with NEMSIS standards and other reporting requirements is growing increasingly complex. Leaders must ensure that their systems capture accurate data to meet clinical, operational and legal standards to:

Prevent incomplete reports from moving forward

Highlight missing critical fields, such as patient signatures or demographic data, which can stall reimbursement

Provide real-time feedback for quality improvement (QA/QI)

Integrating compliance directly into workflows ensures fewer errors and smoother billing cycles, saving agencies time and resources.

Improving cash flow starts with high-quality data entry at the source.

EMS leaders often overlook how documentation practices impact financial performance. Efficient EPCR systems improve clean claim rates by:

Guiding paramedics to include all required information during documentation

Automating processes like importing EKG results and demographic data

Flagging incomplete or incorrect entries before claims are submitted

By speeding up documentation and addressing gaps early, EMS agencies can ensure faster reimbursements and predictable cash flow.

Aligning workflows across departments enhances efficiency and collaboration.

EMS operations are not limited to field crews. Dispatchers, billers and managers play critical roles in delivering care and sustaining operations. Integrated systems ensure that:

Dispatchers, paramedics and billers share a unified platform, fostering communication and reducing friction

Teams are trained holistically to understand each other’s roles and responsibilities

Operational, clinical and financial data flow seamlessly across departments

Such alignment reduces redundancies, boosts productivity and allows agencies to operate more effectively under tight constraints.

Accurate, detailed reports protect EMS providers in legal scenarios.

In EMS, thorough documentation is not just a requirement – it’s a safeguard against legal liability. EPCR systems help paramedics document essential details clearly and accurately, reducing the risk of errors that could be exploited in court. Training crews to use these tools effectively ensures that charts provide a source of truth in any legal or compliance review.

Jason Bartholomew summed it up best: “Doing something is better than doing nothing.” EMS agencies should start small, focusing on one area for improvement, such as data validation or staff training, before expanding into comprehensive ecosystem integration. Chuck Sweeney emphasized the importance of buy-in from all levels, noting that shared understanding and collaboration across departments are critical to long-term success.

By adopting robust technology and fostering teamwork, EMS leaders can tackle the headaches of staffing shortages, compliance demands, and financial uncertainty – all while improving the quality of patient care.

EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.

ZOLL Data Systems’ cloud-based solution suite of EMS and Fire solutions covers the scope of your operations, from dispatch to patient care, to incident and operational reporting, to billing. Learn how ZOLL software can help improve clinical, operational and financial performance of your organization at zolldata.com.

Catch a new episode of the Inside EMS podcast every Friday on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS feed.

Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the Inside EMS team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

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 favorite EMS-focused book? Send your suggestions to [email protected] for inclusion in a future article.

“I think that a good paramedic is someone who is proficient in their knowledge and their skills, and keeps up to date. That's a good paramedic. A great paramedic adds empathy and compassion to that list. And that's what differentiates the confident ones from the great ones.” — Kelly Grayson

“The central message is that Teddy Roosevelt quote: ‘People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.’” — Kelly Grayson

Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.

Catch a new episode of the Inside EMS podcast every Friday on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Amazon Music, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS feed.

Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.