Inside EMS

Real talk about the Delta, Lambda variants and body-worn cameras in EMS

This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by Pulsara. Learn more about how you can build a regional system of care for free by clicking here. In this episode of the Inside EMS Podcast, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss how the COVID-19 virus is making a resurgence in the form of the Delta variant. In addition, the Lamda variant was discovered at a hospital in Texas. The duo then switch to discussing a story out of North Carolina, where one county has instituted the use of body-worn cameras for EMS providers. Cebollero and Grayson take a pro/con approach to the conversation in terms of institution, the effect on training, and how they could be abused by EMS leaders.

EMS Chief Mark Logemann on creating an internal paramedic academy

This episode of Inside EMS is sponsored by Pulsara. Learn more about how you can build a regional system of care for free by clicking here. In this episode of the Inside EMS Podcast, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by New Castle County EMS Division Chief Mark Logemann, who discusses his agency's internal Paramedic Academy, which is currently accepting applications for its new cohort. Chief Logemann discusses the culture of the academy, how it got started, and the application process. According to the chief, one of the great benefits of having your own paramedic program is the ability to set the culture, and not only train the next generation of paramedic, but also grow the type of employee you want to see in the future.

News of the week: Ketamine, bullying and harassment

In this episode of the Inside EMS Podcast, our co-hosts, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson, discuss the news of the week as requested by listener emails. The first topic of discussion is the new Colorado law that has gone into effect that will restrict ketamine use by paramedics on agitated people outside a hospital setting. Signed by Gov. Jared Polis this week, the law on the appropriate use of chemical restraints on a person dictates when and how the drug should be used. The discussion then shifts to sexual harassment and workplace bullying. In a settlement with the city of Chicago, five female paramedics will receive $1.825 million. The five women, whose names have not been revealed publicly, filed a 2018 suit alleging the fire department "ignored sexual harassment complaints and failed to conduct meaningful investigations of alleged sex discrimination." Our hosts discuss an article written by Linda Willing that outlines how EMS chiefs have to be the catalyst for stopping harassing behavior in the workplace.

Tips to stop bullying at work

This is a special edition of the Inside EMS Podcast - enjoy a crossover post from Chris Cebollero's Ultimate Leadership Podcast with guest Coach, Speaker and Author, Jeanie Cisco-Meth. When Jeanie was young, everyone knew she was different. When she got into school, the labeling began. She had so many learning disabilities and physical differences, she stood out. She had dyslexia, she couldn’t talk very well, she was legally blind, she was six feet tall by the eighth grade, she was a cancer survivor, and the list goes on. Jeanie has made it her crusade to stop bullying, not only working in the corporate world, but taking her message right into the schools. In this episode of The Ultimate Leadership Podcast, Jeanie discusses why people bully, how to confront bullies, and she shares some insight from her two books. Subscribe to the Ultimate Leadership Podcast at ultimateleadership.blubrry.com for more.

An international effort to assist, counsel Fla. Collapse responders

Dov Maisel advises on 5 elements of disaster response as United Hatzalah’s Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit team responds to Florida A month ago, they responded to domestic and terror-related mass casualty incidents in their own country. Now, they’ve deployed overseas to provide their expertise to the tragic building collapse in Surfside, Florida. Members of the Psychotrauma and Crisis Response Unit (PCRU) from United Hatzalah of Israel flew into Miami to provide psychological support and stability to the families and neighbors of those injured, killed or affected by the tragedy.

Chief Gary Ludwig on managing a massive incident

In this episode of the Inside EMS Podcast, our co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the Surfside, Florida condo collapse near Miami with Chief Gary Ludwig. The group discusses how many people are working the scene, developing logistics and how to manage a scene this big. Ludwig is fire chief of the ISO Class 1 Champaign (Illinois) Fire Department and past president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Dr. Peter Antevy talks head-up CPR, whole blood use by EMS

On this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson welcome back returning guest Dr. Peter Antevy, who serves as the EMS medical director for Coral Springs-Parkland (Fla.) Fire Department, Davie Fire Rescue and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue. Dr. Antevy is also the founder and chief medical officer of Handtevy – Pediatric Emergency Standards, Inc.  Dr. Antevy recounts the recent Gathering of the Eagles conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the safety procedures put in place for the event. During the five-day conference, attendees discussed a variety of topics, from head-up CPR to the use of whole blood in the field. Dr. Antevy also delves into EMS' role in combatting human trafficking, and what the next two years look like for the EMS industry.

A legal view of the medical marijuana debate in EMS

On this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle a hot button issue: medical marijuana and its use by public safety members. Our hosts discuss a firefighter from Buffalo, New York, who was discharged from his position for using marijuana, despite being having a prescription, and are joined by attorney David C. Holland to discuss the event from a legal angle.  The conversation delves into the responsibility of leadership, how the Collective Bargaining Agreement factors into the debate and how EMS should address the issue in the future.

Scott Moore, Esq., on what the law says about mandatory vaccinations

As we head out of the depths of the pandemic and adjust to the “new normal,” the vaccination status of the workforce – in order to protect both coworkers and patients alike – is a major consideration. This week, a judge rejected a lawsuit from Houston hospital workers who had been suspended for not being vaccinated. This issue is an emotive one, and to unpick these issues, our host, Rob Lawrence, speaks to employment and HR Lawyer, Scott Moore. Scott helps us understand the issues of mandatory vaccinations, declaration of vaccination status and more.

School‘s open: Getting back in the EMS classroom

On this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss getting back into the classroom and training students again. Grayson is working with a group of high schoolers to become EMRs, and plans to conduct a PLUCK lab and use pig organs to teach the anatomy of the body. Students will have the chance to dissect the different organs and see them up close.