Episode 17: From Emergencies to Innovation — A Conversation with James Crutchfield!
He’s led from the front lines of emergency medical services for over 17 years, transforming how Manatee County responds to crisis and cares for its community. As Deputy Director of Public Safety, James Crutchfield oversees six divisions, from EMS and Emergency Management to Beach and Pool Safety, ensuring that when the call comes in, help is already on the way.
In this episode of Chambers, Changes & Conversations, hosts Stephanie Garrison and Casey Zempel sit down with the man redefining what “Public Safety” means in the modern era. The conversation explores how Manatee County became a state and national leader in innovation, from 911-integrated drone delivery and telehealth through MD Ally to the award-winning Mobile Integrated Health Program that’s reshaping community care.
You’ll hear:
- How Manatee County became the first in the nation to integrate drones into 911 response
- Why “right care, right time, right place” isn’t just a motto — it’s a mission
- How a small EMS department from the 1970s grew into a nationally recognized model of excellence
- And a lightning round that proves even Public Safety pros can have a little fun under pressure
Insightful, forward-thinking, and full of heart — this is James Crutchfield in his own words.
Listen to the official podcast of Manatee County Government: Chambers, Changes & Conversations — your inside look at the people, policies, and partnerships shaping our region.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com