EMS One-Stop

This week on the Inside EMS podcast, host Kelly Grayson tags in Texas educator John Puryear for a deep dive into the ever-evolving world of EMS education. What starts with a little sweet tea and Southern storytelling quickly turns into a masterclass on how to actually make distance learning work.

Puryear breaks down the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning, and why simply dumping recorded lectures on students isn’t enough. The real magic? Engagement. Whether it’s live interaction, strategic questioning or just being a “bit of an entertainer,” effective online education demands more than a webcam and a PowerPoint.

Bottom line: online education isn’t going anywhere. But if you’re going to do it, you better do it right. The future isn’t just virtual — it’s hybrid, interactive and built by educators who actually care.

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This week on EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence sits down with Sarah McEntee, executive director of the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS), to unpack what accreditation really means for modern EMS systems.

Moving beyond the “sticker on the truck,” Sarah reframes CAAS as a living, breathing process — one that drives internal improvement, organizational alignment and long-term sustainability. From its origins within the American Ambulance Association in the 1990s, to the latest Version 4.0 standards, the conversation highlights how CAAS provides a unified, industry-driven framework that elevates agencies from compliant to high-performing.

Rob brings a practitioner’s perspective, reflecting on his own experience navigating multiple accreditation cycles, emphasizing how CAAS becomes a “guiding light” for governance, clinical care and operational excellence.

Together, they explore the structure of the standards, the application journey, and the cultural readiness required to succeed.

The key takeaway is clear: accreditation is not a project with an endpoint — it’s a continuous process that strengthens organizations from the inside out, identifying risks, improving systems, and ultimately delivering better care to patients and communities.

Episode timeline

01:30 – Origins of CAAS and need for unified standards

03:30 – Breakdown of CAAS standards (admin, clinical, operations)

06:30 – Deep dive into operational standards and structure

10:30 – Rob’s real-world experience with accreditation

12:30 – Accreditation as a process vs. project

16:00 – Value proposition: internal vs. external benefits

18:30 – Cost vs. value — and the risk of not being accredited

22:00 – Step-by-step accreditation journey (readiness → submission → review)

28:30 – Site visits and peer collaboration

31:30 – Resources, support and how to get started

34:30 – Final reflections and leadership call to action

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This edition of EMS One-Stop, recorded at the inaugural National EMS Management Association conference in Arlington, Virginia, pairs two complementary conversations about leadership and the future of EMS.

In the first half, General Robert Neller brings a military leader’s lens to universal leadership truths: lead yourself first, remember that everyone is watching, stay humble, listen better and understand that decisiveness matters. His message is simple and sharp. People want leaders who will set the example, make the call when it matters, and balance standards with empathy.

| MORE: EMS Leadership Institute — AI and the future of EMS

In the second half, NEMSMA President Dr. Hezedean Smith reflects on a successful launch for the conference and looks ahead to where EMS leadership must go next. He frames this association as a growing home for mentorship, shared learning and strategic thinking, while also pointing to the disruptive forces already reshaping the profession:

Artificial intelligence

Redesigned systems

Recruitment and retention pressures

The possibility of autonomous ambulance operations

Taken together, the episode is both a leadership masterclass and a forward look at an EMS profession that cannot afford to stand still.

Episode timeline

00:39 – Rob sets the scene from the inaugural NEMSMA conference in Northern Virginia.

00:51 – Rob introduces General Neller as the opening keynote speaker.

01:38 – General Neller explains his leadership “roadmap,” beginning with leading yourself first.

03:38 – Rob and General Neller discuss how leaders are always being watched.

06:04 – Advice for the newly promoted EMS lieutenant: growth takes time, ask for advice, study and learn.

08:11 – General Neller reflects on what he wishes he had known earlier in his career: be a better listener.

09:41 – The “don’t eat the cake” story becomes a lesson in humility and example-setting.

11:42 – General Neller discusses when leaders must consult and when they must simply decide.

13:22 – Final leadership theme from General Neller: empathy strengthens standards rather than weakening them.

17:04 – Rob returns with Dr. Hezedean Smith, President of NEMSMA.

17:18 – Dr. Smith describes the early success of the inaugural conference and strong turnout.

18:12 – Dr. Smith confirms planning is already underway for next year because the event has outgrown the venue.

19:25 – Discussion shifts to the future direction of EMS leadership and system design.

19:49 – Dr. Smith highlights AI, system redesign, and recruitment and retention as major themes.

20:47 – Dr. Smith talks about self-driving ambulances, solar-powered systems and rapid technological change.

21:38 – Dr. Smith emphasizes that technology must make providers’ work easier, not harder.

22:22 – Rob asks why people should join NEMSMA.

22:28 – Dr. Smith outlines mentorship, information sharing and rapid organizational growth.

23:13 – Dr. Smith closes by reaffirming NEMSMA’s role in the EMS leadership space.

23:46 – Rob signs off from what he calls an “amazing time” at the conference.

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Things get intense on this episode of Inside EMS as hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle an age-old industry debate: should EMTs spend time on a truck before going to paramedic school or is that “experience” overrated?

Kelly kicks things off with a spicy take, arguing that poor field training and inconsistent preceptorship often do more harm than good. From his perspective, bad habits, weak mentorship and burnout culture are the norm, not the exception.

But Chris isn’t buying it. He counters that experience builds what classrooms can’t: clinical judgment, scene management and the ability to function in chaos. For him, skipping that step means stacking advanced skills on a shaky foundation.

What follows is a back-and-forth that hits on everything from “microwave medics” and outdated curricula to high-fidelity simulation and whether modern education can truly replicate the street.

Both sides agree the system is flawed — but disagree on where to fix it.

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In this episode of Inside EMS, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are once again joined by paramedic student April McKenzie, a.k.a., “April Anonymous,” for a deep dive on measuring arterial blood gas.

Chris and Kelly walk April (and anyone else grinding through class) through the core idea that everything hinges on knowing “normal.” Once you lock in pH, CO₂ and bicarb ranges, the rest becomes pattern recognition, not panic.

The big takeaway? Master normal, stay curious and treat every patient like a learning opportunity. Because the more normals you encounter, the faster you’ll catch what’s not.

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This week on Inside EMS, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson take a practical look at how leadership — both formal and informal — shapes the culture of an EMS organization.

The hosts break down three things crews notice immediately: consistency, presence and composure. They emphasize that good leadership isn’t about controlling people or enforcing policies — it’s about developing crews, communicating clearly and earning trust over time.

This episode breaks down how leadership credibility is built slowly through consistent behavior — and it only takes one misstep to damage it.

“The culture of an EMS organization is shaped far more by leadership behavior than by policy manuals.”

“You don't build strong organizations by controlling people. You build them by developing people.”

“Leadership starts the moment people are watching.”

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In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence is joined by Bob Davies and Hilary Gates to explore the mission behind Six Minutes to Live, a growing movement focused on improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest.

| MORE: ‘Six Minutes to Live': Mini-documentary spotlights cardiac arrest care crisis

The conversation begins with the stark reality that every minute without CPR and defibrillation reduces survival by 10%, and then widens into a larger discussion about injustice, geography and system performance.

Bob reflects on his landmark USA Today investigation into EMS disparities across the country, while Hilary explains why this issue remains deeply personal and why communities, not just medical systems, must be part of the solution.

The episode then turns from problem to action. Hilary and Bob describe how Six Minutes to Live is using storytelling, advocacy, community partnerships and public training to drive change, especially through bystander CPR education, school-based training and public access defibrillation.

From Santa Cruz to the Resuscitation Academy in Seattle, the emphasis is on making the simple feel possible: hands-only CPR, early defibrillation and empowering ordinary people to act. The result is more than a nonprofit or a campaign. As Rob notes, this is a movement.

Memorable quotes

Additional resources

Episode timeline

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“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

This week on Inside EMS, host Chris Cebollero brings a fresh interpretation to Sun Tzu’s ancient text with his latest book, “The Art of War for Business Leaders: Winning Without Fighting in Leadership, Strategy, and Life.” Chris makes the case that EMS leadership is more about clarity and discipline than chest-thumping command presence, tying Tzu’s principles back to everyday EMS realities.

The discussion digs into why leaders so often fight the wrong battles, from staffing drama and culture clashes, to policy headaches and ego wars, and how better planning can keep those problems from blowing up in the first place

The conversation dissects what accountability without chaos means in practice: building culture, reducing friction and leading in a way that gives crews the tools, support and ownership they need to succeed.

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EMS on the Hill isn’t just a date on the calendar — it’s the profession’s annual moment to stand in front of Congress and tell the EMS story with clarity, confidence and unity.

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence is joined by NAEMT President, Chris Way, to preview EMS on the Hill (March 25–26, 2026) and explain why this event matters now more than ever: EMS is where most Americans first enter the healthcare system, and the care delivered in the field is no longer “drive-you-to-the-hospital medicine.”

Chris and Rob also unpack what’s changed — the scale of collaboration across national organizations and the discipline of going to Capitol Hill with aligned priorities and a shared message. They walk listeners through the event flow (Education Day, briefings, Hill visits, awards and reception), the importance of working relationships with staffers, and the advocacy “ask” that could reshape the future: reimbursement for treatment in place, mobile integrated healthcare/community paramedicine, and sustainable support for initiatives like prehospital blood. The throughline is simple: show up, speak with one voice, and translate momentum into legislative wins.

Additional resources:

EMS on the Hill Day

One voice, one profession — EMS leaders open summit with call for unity and coordinated action

00:00 – Chris Way frames the goal: becoming a trusted, go-to EMS resource for lawmakers

00:52 – Why EMS on the Hill matters; EMS as the front door of healthcare; call to action

02:16 – Advocacy theme and EMS on the Hill as the seminal D.C. event

03:27 – Kansas City summit recap; commitment to making it annual; “stronger together”

05:39 – Evolution of EMS on the Hill into a multi-organization partnership; one message

08:24 – Logistics overview begins: dates, hotel, education day, briefings, awards

10:16 – How to succeed in legislative meetings: reading the room, time limits, staffer relationships

17:14 – Priority bills: treatment in place, MIH/CP, whole blood, NAMSP priorities

21:02 – “This is ongoing” collaboration: monthly cross-organization calls, broader coordination

24:05 – Chris shares his recommended approach: prep, priorities, cards/coins, questions, follow-up

27:34 – Rob’s add-ons: photos after meetings, tagging lawmakers, comms/PR value

28:59 – Final logistics recap; what to expect as a first-timer at state tables

30:37 – Chris closes: unprecedented partnership, focus to “get this done”

31:14 – Rob plugs state-level advocacy (CAA Stars/Capitol Day)

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This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by ZOLL software and data solutions. Optimize EMS performance and outcomes at every stage of operations with interoperable solutions from dispatch, to patient care, QA/QI, billing and beyond. Visit zolldata.com to learn about the complete solution suite.

This week on the Inside EMS podcast, Jon Puryear, NREMT-P, is back and if you’ve ever sweated a National Registry deadline, this one hits home. Amid the ever-looming March 31 cutoff, Puryear breaks down what’s changed in continuing education — and what hasn’t.

Known for his ability to simplify complex topics, Puryear has built National Registry refresher courses, explainers and CE programs designed not just to check a box, but to truly reinforce clinical understanding. His teaching style leans heavily on storytelling and practical analogies — think pulmonary edema explained through a waterlogged sponge — so providers walk away actually understanding the information, not just memorizing it.

If you need hours, motivation — or just someone to explain it like a human — this episode is your reset.

Top quotes

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