EMS One-Stop

You know the drill — “patient feeling weak,” “not quite right,” maybe alittle confusion. But what if that vague dispatch hides a killer? This week on the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dig into one of the most missed, yet deadliest emergencies we face: sepsis.

You'll hear when to treat aggressively with fluids, why timing matters for antibiotics and how any provider can sound the alarm with a sepsis alert. Plus, they dive into the controversy around fluid bolus protocols, which prehospital labs might be worth it and why a 30 mL/kg mindset isn’t always one-size-fits-all.

If you've ever walked into a call and thought “something’s off,” this episode will help you figure out what — and how to act before it’s too late.

“Most septic patientsdon'troll with a sign thatsays,‘I’m septic.’”

“The number of sepsis cases we see in EMS are more than stroke and heart attack combined.”

“They may have pulses everywhere — just none of them are good.”

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In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, our host, Rob Lawrence, sits down with Hollywood actor Rainn Wilson, who stars as Randy in “Code 3.”

Known worldwide for his role as Dwight Schrute in The Office, Wilson has stepped into the world of EMS, portraying the life of a burned-out paramedic with both grit and humor. In the conversation, Wilson reflects on the process of bringing this story to life, his ride-along experiences in Los Angeles, and the powerful realities he uncovered about our profession.

More than just a performance, Rainn has become an unexpected advocate for EMS. He speaks candidly about the underfunding of frontline providers, the emotional toll of the work and the sheer humanity that comes with being welcomed into people’s lives during their most vulnerable moments.

Alongside the serious themes, he reminds us that Code 3 is also a comedy — one that captures the gallows humor, camaraderie and resilience medics carry with them on every shift.

| MORE: Why ‘Code 3’ might be the most honest EMS film yet. From a ticking salary counter to fourth-wall confessions, this EMS road movie isn’t just another Hollywood take. It’s a love letter, a warning and a mirror.

“Most of all, I just fell in love with the character of Randy.”

“Bottom line, the fact that first responders are getting basically what people that work at Starbucks are getting paid really blew my mind.”

“Well, one thing I never thought of, maybe stupidly so, is how vulnerable everything is because you're going into people's homes and they're in crisis.”

“I think Rob, no one should be allowed to graduate from high school without their kind of basic CPR training.”

“Everything about EMS — the tone, the vibe, the gallows humor, certainly all the technical medical elements, the burnout, the camaraderie, the idea that there's a mission here — they do it because they love it.”

“Well, it was an honor to learn about this world and to make a movie that these workers are excited about and proud of.”

“I want to say from the bottom of my heart, you know, ‘thank you. Thank you for your work. And, you know, I think it's grossly underappreciated, but, you know, America needs you.’”

00:26 – Rainn Wilson on the vulnerability of entering people’s homes in crisis

00:57 – “All we want to do is save your life. Some of you don’t make it easy.”

02:53 – Rainn’s first impressions of the “Code 3” script

03:38 – Falling in love with the character of Randy

04:22 – Discovering the realities of EMS work and shocking pay disparities

06:09 – Lessons from Wilson’s Los Angeles ride-along

10:12 – Wilson on CPR training and why everyone should learn it

12:29 – “We’re essentially a tube and a pump.”

13:11 – Rehearsals and the importance of portraying EMS medicine accurately

15:09 – On burnout, PTSD and the need to support medics’ mental health

18:08 – Using “Code 3” salary comparison as an advocacy tool

19:07 – Wilson praises Rob Riggle’s ED doctor role and its realism

20:41 – Cherishing the chance to shed light on EMS

21:10 – Reminder that the film is also a comedy — “a good old time with a bucket of popcorn”

22:25 – Final message: “America needs you. Keep saving lives.”

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This week on Inside EMS, Chris Cebollero welcomes Patrick Pianezza — former EMS Leadership podcast co‑host, paramedic and co-writer on the new action-comedy EMS film ‘Code 3.’ Pianezza teamed up with writer Christopher Leone to push for authenticity, insisting on medical accuracy and avoiding cliches — no guns‑in‑ambulance heroics, no patients as punchlines.

There are scenes that will make medics say, “That’s us!” — from nursing home calls to behavioral health crises, the pressures from society, as well as moments many will recognize in their gut. For EMS professionals, this is about being seen, valued and having your story told well. For everyone else, it’s an invitation to look deeper at the people showing up to help you on your worst day.

“What I really care about, what I want people to take away from the movie, especially if you’re still actively doing the job, is that they feel recognized. They feel seen, they feel like we did them justice.” — Patrick Pianezza

“CPR is so terribly shown on screen that we were committed to like, at least one movie’s gonna get it right.” — Patrick Pianezza

“There is a heart to it that I think is universal and speaks to not just people who do the job, but for outsiders to get a view into this world and be like, ‘Oh, so that’s what this job is.’” — Patrick Pianezza

Additional resources:

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In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence sits down with Patrick Pianezza, co-writer of the new EMS film “Code 3”, a deeply honest and compelling portrayal of life on the ambulance.

The film stars Rainn Wilson (“The Office”), Lil Rel Howery (“Free Guy”) and Aimee Carrero (“Elena of Avalor”), delivering a powerful performance that captures both the pressures and the humanity of EMS work. Using real-world experiences and stories from the field, “Code 3” highlights the passion, dedication and emotional toll experienced by EMS professionals every day. From burnout, to systemic challenges, the movie invites the public into the high-stakes world of emergency medical services, showing both the challenges and the heart behind the uniform.

Patrick and Rob discuss not only the storytelling process, but also the personal experiences that informed the movie. Pianezza candidly shares the emotional toll of EMS work, the reality of burnout and the importance of mental health support for first responders.

This episode is both a celebration of the dedication of those who serve in 911 and a call for awareness and gratitude for the vital work they perform. “Code 3” opens in selected cinemas on Sept. 12, 2025.

Memorable quotes

“I remember going to one of my old bosses and saying, ‘I think I'm burning out.’ The reaction I got was this dark chuckle … ‘We're all burnt out. Get back on the truck.’ That kind of festering mentality is not healthy.” — Patrick Pianezza

“Six out of six people that I have worked with have unfortunately [died by] suicide, and the suicide rates for first responders is double that of the regular population … which is a statistic we need to fix.” — Patrick Pianezza

“And it is … a good representation of life on the truck, on the street, with a guy who’s clearly burned out; but a person that cares, that has passion, commitment and will always do the right thing.” — Patrick Pianezza

“There was no way to confront the story without talking about salaries, without talking about reimbursements … No one's gonna see a movie about Medicare, Medicaid, but we are as honest as we can be.” — Patrick Pianezza

“This movie is nothing more than a gratitude tour for everyone who works in 911 … I’ll be a broken record here: thank you for what it is that you do because it matters. I’ve been in those boots and I’m here to tell you thank you.” — Patrick Pianezza

“And as I say in my review, those who know me know my ability to take tactical naps during movies. Well, this one got two eyes open and absolutely five stars.” — Rob Lawrence

00:00 – Introduction: Rob Lawrence introduces Patrick Pianezza and the film “Code 3” starring Rainn Wilson

02:31 – Origins of “Code 3:” How the project started and the vision behind telling an authentic EMS story

05:01 – Creative team & casting: working with actors, crew and Rainn Wilson

08:01 – On-the-Street authenticity: translating real EMS experiences into the film

12:01 – Depicting burnout: emotional and mental challenges in EMS work

16:01 – Mental health & seeking help: Autobiographical elements and confronting burnout

20:01 – Systemic issues: salaries, Medicare, and Medicaid reimbursement challenges

24:01 – Impact on families & relationships: emotional toll beyond the job

27:01 – Personal reflection: Patrick’s journey, struggles and growth in EMS

29:01 – Gratitude tour: purpose of the film and acknowledging EMS professionals

32:01 – Closing thoughts: film release details, upcoming trailer and final messages of appreciation

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Ever been told to “cut the war stories” in EMS? Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are here to push back. This week’s episode of the Inside EMS podcast dives into the vital role storytelling plays in shaping EMS culture, training, leadership and even public perception. With their signature mix of humor and heart, they explore how the right story — told the right way — can teach more than any protocol ever will.

From instructor pitfalls to leadership mistakes, they share personal wins and failures that built their character — and could build yours too.

You’ll also get 8 rock-solid tips on how to be a better storyteller in the field, in the classroom or at the next crew dinner. Spoiler: It’s not about theatrics; it’s about authenticity, vulnerability, knowing when to pause ... and when to whisper.

Top quotes

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 the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive headfirst into one of paramedic's most anxiety-inducing scenarios: the pediatric airway. Despite decades of advancement, pediatric codes still strike fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned medics. So why hasn’t this gotten any easier?

Drawing on their own experience (plus a few nods to Dr. Peter Antevy), the duo emphasize the urgent need for high-fidelity simulation training, ongoing QA and competency-based training.

This episode’s packed with insights, strong opinions and a healthy dose of tough love for EMS systems that continue to send underprepared crews into high-stakes situations. If you’ve ever broken into a cold sweat over a pediatric call, this episode is for you.

"When a mother hands you a 3-month-old in cardiac arrest, that’s not the time to figure out you’re uncomfortable." — Chris Cebollero

“If you want the medic to intubate kids, you need cadaver labs, you need high fidelity simulation. You need to practice and you need to QA that practice. Most systems just can't provide that and without regular exposure, intubation becomes unsafe. And that's why I'd argue if you can't maintain your competency, you shouldn't carry the skill.” — Chris Cebollero

“Kids aren't little adults. They do have more challenges. They do have bigger tongues. They do have floppier epiglottis, they do have smaller airways.” — Chris Cebollero

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As artificial intelligence sweeps across industries, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are asking the big question: Is EMS ready? In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, the duo gets into the weeds of how AI could reshape the field, from charting and documentation, to predictive deployment and real-time clinical prompts.

They dig into practical use cases, like auto-generating patient care reports from spoken narratives, using smart speakers for on-the-fly drug dosages and deploying AI in dispatch triage. But they’re not AI cheerleaders; both caution against overreliance, false confidence and the risk of replacing critical thinking with shortcuts.

It’s a spirited, funny and forward-looking conversation about how EMS can lead, not lag, in adopting this rapidly evolving tech. Because one thing’s clear: AI isn’t coming — it’s already here.

“I think the big issue that people have with AI is that they fear it’s gonna start doing our thinking for us rather than help us with everyday tasks. And to me, that’s a legitimate fear.” —Kelly Grayson

“When we open this door of where AI can touch EMS directly, I think there’s a lot of places this can go.” —Chris Cebollero

“I learned long ago that one of the tricks to the choreography of a smooth call is to think out loud and to talk, talk, talk your way through everything that you do. It’s interesting thinking about narrating that for the purpose ofan AI client to write your chart as you go.” —Kelly Grayson

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This breaking-news edition of EMS One-Stop dives straight into the announcement that the National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) has been dissolved. Host Rob Lawrence is joined by Dr. Brandon Morshedi (NEMSAC chair-elect) and Brenden Hayden (immediate past chair), who explain what NEMSAC is, what it achieved and why its sudden dismissal has left the EMS community frustrated, concerned and searching for answers.

Together, they outline the role of NEMSAC as the sole statutory advisory body connecting EMS to the federal executive branch, describe the hundreds of volunteer hours that went into shaping advisories, and discuss what happens now that years of hard work and documents have been pulled from EMS.gov.

This episode sets the record straight, provides a clear explainer of the process, and captures the disappointment — yet determination — of leaders committed to moving EMS forward despite this setback.

Additional resources:

How NEMSAC is composed — who sits on the council and what types of expertise are represented

The NEMSAC’s statutory role advice/briefings at the federal level

NEMSAC’s key accomplishments

01:08 – Rob introduces the breaking news: NEMSAC dissolved

02:22 – What is NEMSAC? Brenden explains its statutory role

04:52 – How does NEMSAC differ from associations? Direct advisory to the executive branch

06:42 – Appointments, terms and how continuity usually worked

08:44 – The depth of work: meetings, subcommittees, advisories, letters

11:23 – Examples of major advisories and public comment process

14:27 – Shock: key advisories removed from EMS.gov

19:13 – Explainer: FICEMS and how advisories flow through federal government

26:25 – How members felt when dismissal was announced

30:18 – What happens to unfinished advisories and research

34:20 – Associations’ role in keeping the work alive

35:50 – The advisory each guest is most proud of

39:41 – Lessons learned: influence, unified voice, process

43:25 – Final reflections: leadership, advocacy, and what comes next

Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share feedback or suggest guests for a future episode. 

This week on the Inside EMS podcast, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson shine a spotlight on the kidneys and their impact on patient outcomes. What starts as a chat about chronic kidney stones quickly dives into a sharp, clinical breakdown of renal anatomy, physiology and the far-reaching consequences of kidney dysfunction in EMS care.

Chris and Kelly unpack the kidneys’ role in fluid balance, blood pressure regulation and acid-base stability, including how the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) system can either save a patient … or make things worse. They outline the key types of acute kidney injury (pre-renal, intrinsic, post-renal), tie them back to underlying anatomy, and explain why perfusion matters long before labs confirm failure.

With field-focused tips on what to ask (yes, diaper counts matter), what to look for and how to manage critical complications, this episode gives medics the tools to recognize renal red flags early — and act fast.

Additional resources:

Acute kidney injury assessment and treatment

The science behind shock: Why providers must understand the RAAS

Caring for the dialysis patient

One for the Road: Is this a kidney stone?

“In EMS, we don't really pay attention to the functioning of the kidneys until everything goes south.”

“They're not lying when they say the kidneys are the windows to the viscera.”

“Kidney problems don't happen in isolation.”

Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share feedback or suggest guests for a future episode. 

In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence climbs back onto his soapbox to discuss two topics that directly impact on every EMS agency in America — the CAAS Ground Vehicle Standards (GVS) 4.0 and the simple, inexpensive steps we can take to stop ambulance theft.

Joining Rob is longtime EMS leader and current CAAS GVS Administrator Mark Postma, who walks us through the origins of the standards, their national adoption and what’s new in the latest update.

From ambulance remounting, to structural safety testing, Mark explains how GVS 4.0 has evolved to keep pace with manufacturing realities, supply chain delays and operational needs. The conversation then shifts to a shared passion for protecting fleet assets.

Rob and Mark dissect the shockingly frequent problem of ambulance theft and how a $200 automatic immobilization device can prevent a $250,000 vehicle from disappearing — without relying on crews to remember to lock it.

Additional resources:

CAAS GVS V4.0 – Ground Vehicle Standard

Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) – The New Standard in Mobile Healthcare

Ambulance thefts in the U.S. surge: Over 40 stolen rigs in 18 months

6 ways to safety-proof your EMS fleet

"It’s no good going to City Council or to your board of directors on day 365 and saying, ‘I need a new truck for New Year day one’ — that’s not going to happen." — Rob Lawrence

"The ground vehicle standard has become the standard that most vehicles are being built to and that state EMS officials are using." — Mark Postma

"We spend a lot of time thinking about where things go in the box … add one more thing to your checklist: can the vehicle indeed be immobilized?" — Rob Lawrence

"There’s just no reason why ambulances are being stolen with the current technology that’s out there." — Mark Postma

00:45 – Rob introduces the topic: GVS 4.0 and ambulance theft concerns

01:34 – Mark introduction and CAAS GVS role

04:11 – How the CAAS standards were developed and adopted by 35-plus states

06:09 – Comparing CAAS GVS to NFPA ambulance standards

06:48 – The rise of remounting, especially during COVID supply shortages

10:26 – Discussion of ongoing vehicle delivery delays and need for replacement planning

15:04 – What’s new in GVS 4.0 — major changes and safety structure updates

19:38 – Ambulance theft statistics and the GVS anti-theft requirement

22:28 – Automatic immobilization and why manual systems fail

23:57 – Mark shares success story: zero thefts since installing devices

26:17 – Exceptions in standards and why state inspectors must enforce anti-theft

27:42 – Final thoughts on making anti-theft part of fleet planning

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