EMS Today

Not A-Fib:  Mobile Integrated Healthcare, Advocacy and Mental Health in Missouri

Chief Justin Duncan, CEO of Washington County Ambulance District in Missouri, shares insights on pioneering mobile integrated healthcare in a sprawling 1,500-square-mile rural area. Winning the $150,000 Building Bridges to Better Health challenge, his program blends community paramedics, telehealth, and partnerships with federally qualified health cent...

The JEMS Report: Practical Insights for Out-of-Hospital Birth Challenges

In this episode of the JEMS Report Podcast, managing editor Jeff Frankel sits down with Dr. Liz Travis, a maternal care researcher, to discuss the growing challenges EMS providers face with out-of-hospital births. They unpack the critical gaps in traditional EMS training, ...

Airway management in the prehospital environment is difficult just by virtue of where we are doing it and the lack of resources available to help us manage the difficulties. Add to that a patient with mangled facial anatomy or is dangerously peri-arrest due to hemorrhage and the danger can seem insurmountable.

What the research tells us is that there are really three big buckets of problems in airway management that contribute to m...

Not A-Fib :Inside New Orleans EMS’s Body Worn Camera Program and Mass Casualty Response

In this episode of the Not A-fib podcast, Deputy Chief Christopher Keller of New Orleans Emergency Medical Services shares the origins and impact of their innovative body worn camera program.

The program protects staff, supports ...

The JEMS Report - How Drones Are Transforming EMS Logistics and Healthcare Delivery  

JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel sits down with Ryan Walsh, CEO and founder of Valqari, to explore how drones are revolutionizing emergency medical services and hospital logistics. Drawing on his special operations experience, Walsh reveals how Valqari developed autonomous drone technology to deliver critical medical supplies quickly, slashing de...

EMS Research: Severe Hemorrhage Technology Developed by Military Researchers

Severe hemorrhage is one of the toughest challenges faced in the prehospital environment, especially when every second counts and resources are limited. But a recent study on the use of 25% human serum albumin (HSA) in trauma care could change how responders approach t...

The JEMS Report - How Critical Incident Response Canines Are Changing First Responder Support

JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel sits down with Janeen Baggette, the founder of K9s for Freedom and Independence, to explore a unique approach to first responder well-being.

With a background as a military medic and law enforcement handler, Janeen shares how her nonprofit trains ...

Infection control consultant Katherine West breaks down the critical distinctions between infection prevention practices in EMS settings versus medical facilities.

She clarifies how EMS-specific CDC guidelines account for unique factors like ambulance ventilation systems, the rear exhaust fan and closed suction systems that impact airborne and ...

JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel sits down with occupational therapist Bonnie Ekman and paramedic leader Alanna Badgley to explore sensory modulation therapy as a breakthrough tool for first responders’ mental health.

Bonnie explains how engaging all eight senses helps regulate the nervous system, moving beyond traditional talk therapy when fi...

JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel hosts a deep dive into the mental health challenges facing first responders. Featuring Dr. Robin Jacobowitz, interim director at SUNY New Paltz’s Institute for Disaster Mental Health, and paramedic and union leader Alanna Badgley, the discussion centers around a groundbreaking 2024 New York State Mental Health Needs Assessment.

The study exposes alarming rates of PTSD, depression, and suicidal ide...

The other day I was working an arrest and I watched the provider preparing to intubate take a big deep breath and hold it while they used their fingers to scissor open the patient’s lips and then introduce the blade into the mouth. They had not elevated the head to optimize the airway angles and ease the need for vallecula displacement. They just went right in, holding their breath, and immediately started to struggle and shake. I ...

Before you start listening this article, I want you to sit back, relax, and take a deep breath. How refreshing was that? That was a nice 21.3% (ish) atmospheric oxygen breath that your body just enjoyed. Please keep that thought in the back of your mind for a minute. We will revisit that. We will spend a moment on PEEP, not the delicious and iconic Easter marshmallow treats that have become a yearly staple for many, but Peak End Ex...

JEMS Spotlight: How Memphis Fire Department Cracked the Code on Recruitment and Retention

Memphis (TN) Fire Medic Stephen Zachar breaks down how his department tackled the nationwide recruitment crisis in firefighting and EMS.

Moving past outdated hiring tests, Memphis revamped the entire process by prioritizing interviews, valuing real-world exp...

The JEMS Report: Women’s Health Challenges in EMS and Fire Service Culture   Description: Stephanie White sits down with Stacee Ramirez and Dani Landholm to explore the overlooked health challenges women face in fire and EMS roles.   Drawing from Stacee’s extensive study revealing widespread reproductive health struggles, silent miscarriages, and the cultural stigma around pregnancy in male-dominated emergency services, the convers...

Not A-Fib Podcast : Gwenny Winkler on Critical Care, Coaching and Embracing Growth

Veteran flight nurse and educator Gwenny Winkler shares her journey from accelerated nursing programs to helicopter EMS and becoming a sought-after critical care instructor. Gwenny opens up about the steep learning curve when transitioning from emergency department nursing to flight nursing and the rapid evolution of tools like blood transfusions a...

In this inaugural episode of the Chief’s Cadence, Chief Shane Wheeler sits down with FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito to explore effective leadership approaches in fire and EMS services.   Drawing on over three decades of experience in one of the nation’s largest departments, Chief Esposito shares how leadership demands more than just command. It requires adapting styles to fit individuals and situations.   From the decisive ...

Managing pain in pediatric patients is a critical aspect of prehospital care. Yet, this remains a challenging area for many EMS providers.

A new study out called “Barriers and Enablers in Prehospital Pediatric Analgesia” sheds light on the complexities of assessing and treating pain in children during ambulance rides. Led by Dr. Hoi See Tsao, A...

Elevating EMS Education: Insights and Innovations from Industry Leaders

Dr. Ted Lee discusses education as part of EMS Week. The discussion features  Dr. Shira Schlesinger, Dr. Navin Ariyaprakai and Dr. Maia Dorsett

They highlight the importance of transitioning from traditional, time-based training to a more dynamic and critical-thinking-focused curriculum that fosters professional growth and clinical judgment among EMS providers.