EMS Today

In this candid conversation, Ashlynn O’Dell reflects on the realities of EMS—from first calls amid rural landscapes to navigating complex patient care in unpredictable environments. She shares how EMS became her calling over nursing or firefighting and highlights the often unseen sides of the job: delivering care in difficult living conditions, managing mental health, and staying resilient against workplace judgment. ...

Joanna Sokol, a seasoned EMT and paramedic, opens up in this revealing conversation on the EMS Improv podcast. Drawing from 13 years on the frontlines and a trove of personal journals, Joanna discusses the emotional turbulence embedded in EMS—from the constant flood of forgettable calls to the rare moments that “grab you by the throat.” She shares how writing her book, “A Real Emergency,” became a cathartic way to process the human...

In this episode of Let’s Get It Straight, infection control consultant and host Katherine West tackles the growing challenge of accessing dependable scientific guidance amid shifting government support and archived resources. With traditional CDC documents and expert advisory groups diminished or disbanded, she unpacks how critical recommendations—such as those comparing N95 respirators to surgical masks—are formed us...

EMS Research Podcast Host Bram Duffee dives into a recent study examining ChatGPT’s ability to predict prehospital patient diagnoses based on paramedic care reports.

ChatGPT accurately identified conditions 75% of the time and often erred on the side of caution, potentially reducing dangerous under-triage. Duffee is joined by lead researcher Erik Miller, a nurse practitioner and paramedic turned researcher, who sheds light on ...

In this episode of the JEMS Report, Mike Brown sits down with EMS advocates David Blevins and Sam Magill to discuss groundbreaking federal legislation introduced by Senators Collins and Welch that aims to expand treat-in-place programs and establish sustainable funding models for Mobile Integrated Health (MIH). They explore how this legislation could shift EMS from the traditional transport-focuse...

The world of prehospital medicine is constantly evolving, driven by new research, technological advancements, and a shared commitment to improving patient care and provider well-being. As EMS professionals, staying informed about these developments goes beyond a professional obligation; it is an opportunity to improve our practice, champion our profession, and ultimately make a greater impact on saving lives. In this article, ...

In this episode of Just Little Salt, Dr. Alexandra Jabr, founder of Emergency Resilience and a licensed paramedic, shines a light on the challenges of delivering death notifications in emergency medical services.

Drawing from years on the front lines and her advanced studies in health and depth psychology, Dr. Jabr, a new member of the JEMS Advisory Board, discusses why clear and compassionate communi...

In this episode of the Not A-Fib podcast, Virginia Beach (VA) EMS Chief Jason Stroud discusses a recent operational shift limiting the use of lights and sirens for non-emergent calls. Drawing on research and local data showing minimal impact on patient outcomes but significant safety risks—including increased ambulance collisions—Chief Stroud explains why the department is prioritizing safer, more measured responses for priority tw...

Ed Fowler’s 40-year career in fire and EMS culminates in a transformative chapter as he helps El Reno, Oklahoma, transition its EMS from private to an in-house, city-managed service—an innovative model focusing on sustainability, independence, and community trust. Ed shares his leadership philosophy grounded in accountability, clear communication, and mentoring future leaders. Amid this professional milestone, Ed confronts a life-t...

Jack, known online as Electric Medic, shares an unfiltered look at his journey through EMS—from earning his med school diploma to working high-stakes gigs like Electric Daisy Carnival cruises. He reveals what keeps him grounded amid intense calls, the challenges of overnight shifts, and why the low-speed fender bender calls grind his gears. Jack dives into his unexpected rise on TikTok and Instagram, explaining how viral videos...

In this episode of The Chief’s Cadence, Shane Wheeler sits down with Dr. Anthony Minge, senior partner at Fitch and Associates, to explore the overlooked role of structured communication in EMS leadership. Dr. Minge discusses why communication should be as prioritized as budgets or staffing. He highlights practical strategies like rounding, scheduled huddles, and purposeful meetings to build trust, improve culture, and reduce opera...

The 2025 AHA Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care introduce significant updates, including a focus on on-scene resuscitation, cautious use of mechanical CPR devices, and prioritizing IV over IO access. While these changes aim to improve outcomes, they’ve sparked debate among seasoned paramedics like Jimmy Apple, the “EMS Avenger,” who highlights the challenges of implementation.

Key Points: • On-Scene Resuscitatio...

In this candid episode of Just Little Salt, Nurse Stankk—an ER nurse and viral healthcare content creator—breaks down what really goes down behind hospital doors. He shares the tough realities of nonstop demands, overlooked tasks, and the emotional toll of burnout, especially dealing with difficult patients and tragic cases involving children. Yet amid the chaos, he reveals how healthcare humor and genuine mentorship have kept...

JEMS Development Editor Mike Brown sits down with Jason Nunn, the creator of Stetta Sleeves, a personal and innovative solution designed to protect healthcare workers from bites, scratches, and needle injuries. Drawing from over 20 years of experience in medical care, Jason shares the incident that inspired the product—his own injury during a hospital code involving an agitated patient—and highlights the alarming rise in viole...

Dr. Richard Janka, CEO of the 911 Training Institute joins the podcast to talk about resilience. He talks about the mission of the training institute as well as what got him involved with the institute. The bulk of the podcast is spent discussing resilience and what it means for first responders, as well as the telecommunicators who have to take these calls. We talk about the key role leadership plays in the success of a resilience...

In this heartfelt episode of Just a Little Salt, Chris Spaulding sits down with his son, Cody, to explore a lifetime shaped by fire service. Chris recounts how a family tragedy set him on this path over three decades ago, sharing stories that blend humor and hardship—from prank wars and raw chicken mishaps to the heavy toll of witnessing trauma. Father and son reveal the deep bonds that grow in firehouses, lessons in discipline, pe...

Host Bram Duffee explores research on epinephrine’s role in traumatic cardiac arrest. The discussion features a trauma surgeon and researcher from a Level 1 trauma center who explains why epinephrine may not only lack benefit but could cause harm in trauma cases like car crashes or gunshot wounds. Drawing from a six-year study across seven trauma centers involving over 1,600 patients, the findings challenge current EMS protocols by...

Rolling Sixes is a groundbreaking six-part documentary series spotlighting the combined police, fire, and EMS crews of Kalamazoo Public Safety—the largest integrated public safety agency in the U.S.

Created by Zach Hamelton, a former TV and film producer turned public information officer, the series blends cinematic storytelling with immersive, real-world footage captured via GoPros and cinema cameras.

Viewers get rare access to in...