Inside EMS

Booze, blood and blurred lines: Should EMS play cop?

This week on the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dig into a hot-button issue lighting up EMS forums: DUI blood draws by paramedics. In Vanderburgh County, Indiana, a new program lets fire department medics perform evidentiary blood draws at the request of law enforcement — right on scene, even if the suspect isn’t being transported. Supporters say it’s efficient; critics say it’s unethical.

 

The hosts share their own history with blood draws in the field and reflect on how their professional philosophies have evolved.

 

It’s a passionate, no-holds-barred conversation about legal gray zones, moral boundaries, patient advocacy, operational burdens and the blurry line between healthcare and law enforcement.

 

Spoiler: There’s no easy answer. But if your agency is considering such a program, this episode is required listening.

Memorable quotes

• “My job is to do medical care, period, end of file. Quite often in doing my job, I make the point, ‘Hey, I'm not a cop, man. You can trust me.’”

• “There's a moral dilemma there. Are we caregivers or are we evidence collectors?”

• “Even if the laws permitted me to do so for one reason and one reason only, it's very hard to shift from a caregiver mindset to a defensive mindset.”

Enjoying the show? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest a guest for an upcoming episode. 

Train harder, lead louder: What tomorrow’s medics really need

Sure, AI and digital systems are reshaping EMS, but at the core? It’s still about people. In this week’s episode of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle the disconnect between tech-savvy, fast-adapting, new providers and an education system still stuck in the lecture-skill-lab loop. They break down why flipped classrooms, mentorship and real talk about leadership must happen now—and why soft skills aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re survival tools.

This episode makes the case that the future of EMS depends on how well we prepare, mentor and empower the medics already entering the field — and why waiting to teach leadership is a mistake we can’t afford to keep making.

Memorable quotes

• “Soft skills are the survival skills in today’s EMS: empathy, de-escalation, teamwork.” — Kelly Grayson
• “We’re supposed to be shepherds and guides, not the sage on the stage delivering a lecture and a performance — and I deliver lectures and performances very well. But that’s not the best way people learn.” — Kelly Grayson

Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest future guests!

From blame to burnout: How negativity takes over your shift

This week on Inside EMS, ChrisCebolleroand Kelly Grayson dive deep into the dark side of workplace culture — the seven types of negativity that poison morale, ruin teamwork and chip away at your love for the job. From the moment the coffee hits your cup, to the second the rig rolls out, negativity can show up uninvited: complaints, criticism, blame, gossip — and yes, the ever-present cynicism.

But this isn’t just a leadership lecture. It’s personal. Kelly opens up about his own battles with depression and how behaviors like self-pity and cynicism creep in under stress. The duo explores how everyday negativity often masks deeper issues — cries for help, burnout, lack of connection — and how leaders (and peers) can break the cycle.

This episode is real, raw and one every EMS pro needs to hear.

Memorable quotes

• “Negative attitudes spur negative attitudes. It's a phenomenon that feeds on itself.” — Kelly Grayson

• “Stop blaming and stop pointing fingers and let's fix the problem.” — Chris Cebollero

• “These seven types of negativity do us no good. All they do is drag us down personally, and they drag our workplace and our coworkers along with it.” — Kelly Grayson

Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for future episodes.

Sepsis math: Every hour = 8% closer to the morgue

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.

Memorable quotes

• “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.”

Enjoying the show? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest future guests. 

Is ‘Code 3’ the most accurate EMS film ever?

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.

Memorable quotes

“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:

• Burnout, bravery and gratitude: The story behind ‘Code 3’
• Why ‘Code 3’ might be the most honest EMS film yet
• ‘Code 3’: A love letter to fire and EMS

Enjoying the show? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest future guests. 

Facts fade, stories stick: Why EMS needs better storytellers

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

• “Never tell a story without a point. Never make a point without a story.”
• “The burned hand teaches best.”
• “Be authentic. Share your wins. Talk about your mistakes.”

Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

Conquering pediatric airway panic: Training, tools and tough truths

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.

Memorable quotes

• "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

Enjoying the show? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback and suggest future guests. 

Is AI a partner in EMS — or its unpredictable coworker?

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.

Memorable quotes

“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

Enjoying the show? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest future guests!

When kidneys strike back: What every medic should know

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?

Memorable quotes

• “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 theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for a future episode. 

We’re not OK: The What Paramedics Want in 2025 report pulls no punches

Editor’s Note: Welcome to the What Paramedics Want podcast, sponsored by Pulsara. Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. One Tool. Every Day. Regardless of Event.

This week on the Inside EMS Podcast, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive deep into the What Paramedics Want in 2025 industry report — and let’s just say, it’s not all sunshine and stable shifts.

The report, created in partnership with Fitch & Associates and sponsored by Pulsara, lays bare the hard truths: burnout is at an all-time high, staffing gaps are holding steady at crisis levels and confidence in leadership is lukewarm at best.

Chris and Kelly get real as they discuss some of the shocking stats — such as, only 59% of agencies report having enough staff to answer 911 calls, and 76% of respondents now cite burnout as a critical issue. But this isn’t just about fatigue; it’s about leadership gaps, lack of support and workplaces that are driving out even the most seasoned medics.

From the “mandatory overtime spiral” to why communication isn’t just nice — it’s a necessity — this episode tackles how broken systems are eroding morale and what leaders can (and must) do to change course. You’ll hear why stay interviews matter more than exit interviews, how marijuana use is creeping up as a stress escape, and the simple steps agencies can take to rebuild trust and retention.

Memorable quotes

• “If one-quarter of your work workforce says ‘we don't enjoy our jobs anymore’ and ‘we don't enjoy working for you anymore,’ you got a hell of a problem on your hands.” — Kelly Grayson

• “This isn't just burnout because of the things we're seeing.  This is because of staffing shortages. This is because of lack of funding. This is because of working overtime. This is because agencies are mandating overtime. And that's gonna lead to burnout.” — Chris Cebollero

• “What we have is a shortage of people who are willing to work for chump change and horrible working conditions.” — Kelly Grayson

Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One Tool. Every Day. Regardless of Event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.

Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at theshow@ems1.com to share your feedback and suggest future guests.