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What happens when the calls don't end when your shift does?

On this episode of The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect, Shaun sits down with firefighter/paramedic Laelen for a raw and honest conversation about the ways EMS can change you over time—and what happens when the weight of the job starts following you home.

Laelen shares her journey from volunteer EMT to paramedic, FTO, educator, and firefighter/paramedic, along with the story behind earning a reputation as a “shit show black cloud.” But beneath the laughs and legendary calls is a much deeper conversation about bad calls, bad culture, burnout, and the moments when everything starts spiraling both at work and at home.

They talk about first responder mental health, gallows humor, vulnerability, the stigma surrounding asking for help, and the difference between true resilience and simply becoming really good at hiding that you're struggling.

This isn't a conversation about pretending everything is okay.

It's about being honest when it isn't—and learning how to pull yourself back.

Because sometimes the person sitting next to you on the rig isn't fine.

And sometimes, neither are you.

This is the shit we don't always talk about.

Listen to The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect wherever you get your podcasts.

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Starting a career in EMS or the fire service can be exciting, overwhelming, and full of lessons no one teaches you in class. In this episode, I sit down with Nic Pluskota to talk about everything rookie. From earning trust in the station to avoiding common mistakes, Nic shares honest advice and practical insights that every new provider—and even seasoned veterans mentoring the next generation—should hear.

We dive into what to expect during those critical first few years, the habits that set great firefighters and EMTs apart, how to handle setbacks, and what it really takes to build a successful career in emergency services. Whether you're a probationary firefighter, a brand-new EMT or paramedic, or someone looking to become a better mentor, this conversation is packed with real-world experience, actionable takeaways, and stories you'll relate to.

If you're just getting started, this episode could save you years of learning the hard way.

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EMS training is designed to build competence, but it often fails to prepare providers for the chaos, complexity, and human side of real-world calls. In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we break down insights from EMS1’s reader response article: https://www.ems1.com/ems-training-and-education/ems1-readers-respond-whats-the-biggest-gap-between-training-and-real-world-calls
and bring it into the reality of the street.

According to frontline providers, the biggest gaps in EMS education aren’t just clinical, they’re human. From struggling with patient communication to a lack of realistic, hands-on training and even navigating death notifications, the transition from classroom to ambulance is bigger than most expect.

But we take the conversation a step further.

One of the most debated topics we tackle: Does empathy sometimes interfere with an effective patient assessment?

While the article emphasizes the importance of compassion, communication, and connection with patients, we challenge where that fits in high-pressure decision-making.

This episode isn’t about removing compassion—it’s about defining its role when seconds matter and decisions count.

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In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Zac — a firefighter/EMT with both volunteer and career experience — to explore what it truly takes to serve at a high standard in the fire and EMS world. From his early days on the rig to navigating the chaos of high-stakes calls, Zac shares how faith has guided him, grounded him, and helped him stay resilient on shift.

We dive into the tough questions: How do we maintain excellence under pressure? How do we process the weight of what we see without losing ourselves? And how can faith, discipline, and character intersect to keep us anchored in an unpredictable profession?

Whether you’re a seasoned responder or just starting out, this episode offers practical insights, real-world lessons, and inspiration for staying sharp, compassionate, and steadfast — even when the tones drop.

Connect with Zac on TikTok @zacwillhide

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Why are so many EMS providers exhausted—even when they “sleep”? Why does stress feel constant, recovery impossible, and burnout unavoidable?

In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we’re joined by Haley Scellick, ARNP from First Responder Health and Wellness to break down what’s really happening inside the bodies of first responders. We dive into chronic fatigue, cortisol dysregulation, sleep disruption, and hormone imbalance, and explain why feeling “wired but tired” is not just part of the job—it’s a warning sign.

Haley explains how shift work, repeated stress exposure, and poor recovery disrupt cortisol rhythms, suppress testosterone, impair sleep, and quietly increase long-term health risks for EMS providers. We also tackle common misconceptions, why “normal labs” don’t always mean a healthy provider, and how caffeine, overtraining, and tough-it-out culture can make things worse.

Most importantly, this episode focuses on realistic, actionable strategies EMS providers can actually use—without quitting the job or chasing perfect sleep.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted, burned out, short-tempered, foggy, or just not like yourself anymore… this episode is for you.

🎧 Topics include:

• Chronic fatigue vs. normal job stress
• Cortisol and shift work
• Sleep myths in EMS culture
• Testosterone and hormone suppression
• When to seek testing and real help
• Practical steps to protect your health on and off shift

Because being tired shouldn’t be the cost of saving lives.

🎙️ Guest Information: Haley Scellick, ARNP - First Responder Health and Wellness

Supplements: https://www.firstresponderhealth.net/ 

First Responder Health and wellness on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565005384987

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Poisonings and overdoses are a growing portion of EMS calls, and rapid recognition can mean the difference between life and death. Toxicology 101 is designed to give BLS providers a practical, field-focused approach to identifying and managing common toxidromes. This course breaks down the five core toxidromes, common substances involved, key assessment findings, and critical BLS interventions.

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In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Patrick Pianezza, former Paramedic and Writer of the film Code 3, for an honest, inside look at telling EMS stories from someone who has actually lived them.

Patrick shares how his time on the streets shaped the characters, calls, and emotional weight of Code 3, why authenticity matters when portraying EMS on screen, and how cumulative stress, burnout, dark humor, and identity all find their way into the story. We talk about the calls that stay with you, the parts of the job the public never sees, and what it’s like to step away from the uniform while still serving the EMS community in a different way.

LISTEN to all of "The Fractured Saints" here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4TLc8SGP9pX4MaaLz1b8TW?si=8gFJ-mMHRyCQTClDVzKjHA 

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Join Shaun Pitts on EMSconnect On Shift as he sits down with Dr. Travis Dierks for an essential deep dive into ECG interpretation. Whether you’re an EMT, paramedic, or just looking to strengthen your cardiac knowledge, this episode breaks down rhythm strips and ECG fundamentals in a clear, practical way.

Dr. Dierks shares expert tips for identifying key patterns, avoiding common pitfalls, and translating what you see on the monitor into confident, real-world patient care decisions. By the end of this episode, you’ll be more confident reading those strips, spotting critical rhythms, and understanding the story behind the ECG.

Tune in, sharpen your skills, and learn to truly read between the lines.

LISTEN to all of "The Fractured Saints" here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4TLc8SGP9pX4MaaLz1b8TW?si=8gFJ-mMHRyCQTClDVzKjHA

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In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Ian—a seasoned paramedic and flight clinician whose journey started with Ada County Paramedics back in 2012. After earning his paramedic certification in 2014, Ian set his sights on the sky, launching his flight career in 2018. Since then, he’s flown with several programs, spending four years with Air Idaho Rescue in Driggs before joining Air St. Luke’s, where he has been flying for the past three years.

With extensive rotor-wing experience and a solid foundation in fixed-wing operations, Ian brings a wealth of critical care flight knowledge to the table. He currently holds his FP-C, NREMT-P, NRP, and a stack of specialized certifications that reflect his dedication to the craft.

Ian is particularly passionate about pediatric care—a population he believes many EMS providers feel less comfortable managing. He’s committed to closing that confidence gap and elevating prehospital pediatric care across the board.

Join us as we dive into all things flight and critical care: pediatrics, trauma, pediatric trauma, non-accidental traumas, and even the roadmap for medics or nurses who dream of taking their careers to the air. Whether you’re on the ground or in the rotor wash, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and real-world experience.

MUSIC: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4TLc8SGP9pX4MaaLz1b8TW?si=DjgPPMQJRDWH7tF6U3UV_A 

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In this essential pre-clinical briefing, veteran educator and field provider Shaun Pitts breaks down the mindset, expectations, and professional habits every EMT student needs before stepping onto an ambulance or walking into a clinical site. This episode is designed to be listened to before your first ride-along and revisited before every shift throughout your training. 

Shaun lays out the concept of your Clinical Compass—the internal framework that keeps you oriented when the real world gets loud, messy, and unpredictable. Students will learn how to prepare mentally and practically for ride-time, how to work with crews and FTOs, how to approach patients with confidence and humility, and how to make the most of every call, even the quiet ones. 

Perfect for:
 • EMT students heading into clinicals or first ride-time
 • FTOs who want a consistent, high-quality onboarding message
 • Agencies looking to set clear expectations for student behavior, professionalism, and safety 

Whether you’re gearing up for your very first call or building strong foundations for a career in EMS, this episode gives you the tools to show up prepared, present, and ride-time ready. 

 MUSIC: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4TLc8SGP9pX4MaaLz1b8TW 

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