Inside EMS

Top of mind: EMS trends, retirement benefits, emergent response

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the importance of the 2022 EMS Trend Report and how every voice in EMS matters as to the future of our field.

"It is our responsibility to leave the profession better than we found it," Cebollero said. 

The conversation then transitions to retirement and how EMS professionals can take advantage of the retirement benefits at every agency they work.

Finally, our co-hosts discuss a recent position paper released by 13 industry groups regarding the use of lights and sirens by first responders. The document lays out the challenge of emergent response, who is being hurt, and gives 10 suggestions on how to change the culture. 

Advancing the EMS legislative agenda

In this edition of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence chats with NAEMT President, Bruce Evans about the upcoming virtual EMS on the Hill Day. 

The online event, which consists of virtual meetings with members of congress, spans the week of April 4-8 with groups organized by state and scheduled into Zoom meetings.

Rob and Bruce discuss the NAEMT legislative agenda and the requests that attendees will be asked to make in their meetings.  Bruce also discusses the collaboration taking place between a number of national associations and the lobbying value that it brings.

Also included: information on the forthcoming workshop to be held at the Pinnacle conference where NAEMT will provide guidance on how to run for public office.  Bruce's aspiration is to have at least one EMS professional in each state house, if not more.

Upgrading EMS education: Goodbye skill sheets, psychomotor exam

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the launch of the EMS Trend Survey 2022, which will provide the data for the 7th annual EMS Trend Report. During the conversation, the hosts emphasize the importance of field providers participating in the survey. 

"This is their opportunity to have their voices heard," Cebollero said.

Grayson echoed his sentiment. "This is a chance to take stewardship of our profession," he said. 

The pair also discuss Grayson's recent article, "Whatever will we do without the skill sheets?" regarding NREMT's plan to sunset skill sheets for paramedic certification, and what other changes are needed in EMS edcuation.

Cebollero and Grayson also discuss a recent news item from Lexington, Kentucky, that found a nearly 7% decrease in call volume due to the area's robust community paramedicine program. 

How to accurately listen for heart tones, lung sounds with Eko Health’s Dr. Saltman

This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by Eko. Learn how CORE stethoscope technology helps EMS providers make confident split-second decisions by clicking here.

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by Dr. Adam Saltman, chief marketing officer for Eko Health. The discussion centers on tips and best practices for accurately using a stethoscope to listen to heart tones and lung sounds. According to Dr. Saltman, data gleaned from stethoscopes help providers chart the best path for patient treatment. 

Listen to the group discussion and leave your thoughts in the comments below. Have a comment or suggestion? Send an email to theshow@ems1.com. 

Cyber alert: Public safety systems are currently under attack

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

On Jan. 29, 2022, FirstWatch took an exceptional step in issuing a cyberattack warning as cyber and ransomware attacks in the U.S. were peaking. FirstWatch’s systems identified public safety infrastructure and sites were included in this round of direct attacks.

In this rapidly recorded EMS One-Stop podcast, Rob Lawrence first chats with Mike Taigman as to why FirstWatch decided to send out a far-reaching alert.

He is then joined by FirstWatch cyber security specialist, Bill Ott who discusses the types of attacks observed as well as the up-to-the-minute situation as attempts on public safety systems are continuing.

By way of further example, Bill also discusses the ransomware attack that occurred in Durham, North Carolina, and extracts lessons learned from that event that can be used as strategies in the current elevated threat environment. 

’The great debate’: Are degrees necessary in EMS?

In this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by Reuben Farnsworth, clinical/operational coordinator for Delta County Ambulance District and EMS1 columnist, to discuss his latest article, "Do we really need degrees in EMS?"

"Bettering yourself and having those letters behind your name gives you a little confidence, gives you a little bit more opportunity to grow, gives you a bit more focus," Cebollero said of pursuing an undergraduate program. 

What are your thoughts? Do you think there should be degree requirements in emergency services?

Informing physical, mental and emotional safety

In this episode, Lexipol Editorial Director, Greg Friese, MS, NRP, joins cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson to kick off the eighth year of tackling the hot topics in the Inside EMS podcast.

Friese offers some insight into what EMS1 will be focusing on in the year ahead, from physical, mental and emotional safety and wellness, to continuing to provide timely, accurate, relevant and actionable information relevant to topics like COVID-19, clinical recommendations and legal issues.

The conversation also includes a discussion on the alarming frequency of ambulance and apparatus crashes resulting in injury or death, and what is needed to keep patients and providers safe. From engineering controls, to fatigue and workload management and continuing education, Friese identifies two main buckets from which to improve ambulance safety:

1. Provider mindset: making a commitment to staying seated and belted when in motion
2. Safety monitoring: implementing a monitoring and reporting system to measure compliance

Finally, the group discusses provider burnout, and how the EMS Trend Survey seeks to identify pressure points that are challenging providers, and the actions leaders can take to recruit and retain talent. As Grayson puts it, this is your chance to lend your voice, and your hand to “steer the ship.”

Coming soon: The EMS Trend Survey, which informs the EMS Trend Report, will be released this month. Check back at www.ems1.com/ems-trend-report/ to help guide future coverage and provide insight into the status of EMS and workforce needs

Communicating across 20 deployment areas

This episode of EMS One Stop is sponsored by Blink; the mobile app helping EMS providers to better communicate with their field staff. Learn more about how Blink's two-way communications features are helping to reduce first responder turnover at www.joinblink.com.

Communicating is the subject of this edition of the EMS One-Stop podcast. Host Rob Lawrence welcomes UK-based George Monk, from Blink, and Ron Quaranto, a board member of the American Ambulance Association and co-chair of the AAA Workforce Board.

Quaranto is executive vice president for operations of Cataldo Ambulance, based in Boston. 

Cataldo is the largest 911 provider in Massachusetts, and the discussion focuses on the challenges of leading a large organization in the pandemic including retention and recruiting, vaccines and mandates, and – above all – communicating with the workforce, in Cataldo’s case, now spread across 20 deployment areas.

From the battlefield, to The White House, to the boardroom

This is a special edition of the Inside EMS Podcast – enjoy a crossover post from Chris Cebollero's Ultimate Leadership Podcast.

In this episode, Cebollero is joined by speaker, author and coach Bo Brabo. Bo stops by to share his leadership expertise regarding the importance of after-action reviews and how they are essential for the growth of a team and organization.

He discusses how best to cultivate a value-based organization and the keys to use those values to inspire and motivate the workforce. Bo shares his thoughts about his book, "From the battlefield, to the White House, to the boardroom."

Bo had the opportunity to work at The White House during President Bush's and President Obama's administrations. What was the biggest lesson Bo took from that experience? Join the discussion to find out.

2021 hot takes: Counting down the top 5 comment-generating EMS1 articles

This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by Eko. Learn how CORE stethoscope technology helps EMS providers make confident split-second decisions by clicking here.

In the final episode of Inside EMS for the 2021 season, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson count down the top five stories that generated the most debate and buzz by readers this year. Did you miss any of these high-engagment articles? Listen to the podcast and read for more.

• Okla. FF disciplined for transporting burned child in engine
  
  
• Unvaccinated Wash. firefighters will no longer be able to respond to medical calls
  
  
• Toxicologist: You can't just touch fentanyl and overdose
  
  
• Ambulances held hostage: Can the hospital make you stay?
  
  
• A triad of findings: 3 case presentations for Cushing's Triad