EMS Today

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Moving past outdated hiring tests, Memphis revamped the entire process by prioritizing interviews, valuing real-world exp...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

Celebrating Emergency Medical Services: Insights on EMS Recognition Day

JEMS Managing Editor Jeff Frankel talks with Dr. Thomas Lardaro to discuss the critical role of emergency medical services in our communities. Celebrating EMS Recognition Day, Dr. Lardaro reflects on the profound responsibilities and challenges faced by EMS professionals both in urban and rural settings. He highlights the importance of public understanding rega...

Advocating for EMS: Shaping the Future of Prehospital Care

Dr. Ted Lee talks with  Dr. Nick Cozzi, Dr. David Tan and Henry Lewis. They talk about the importance of grassroots advocacy, exploring how every EMS provider serves as an ambassador for the profession.

By sharing their stories and building relationships at local and federal levels, they emphasize the need for a unified voice to promote essential changes in legislation and ...

Dr. Ted Lee looks at the impact and importance of Save a Life Day for EMS Week. Featuring expert guests Dr. Matt Levy and Corey Richter, the discussion underscores the critical role of community engagement in prehospital emergency medicine.

Both leaders share their extensive backgrounds in EMS and emphasize the necessity of equipping citizens w...

Dr. Ted Lee speaks with Luke Estes, manager of Prisma Health's Mobile Integrated Health Program, to explore the transformative role of community paramedics in prehospital medicine. Dennis shares his journey from a young aspiring EMT in Missouri to leading a groundbreaking health initiative in South Carolina. The program, which has grown significantly since its inception in 2019, addresses various social determinants of health, aimi...

In this episode of the JEMS Report, Dr. Ted Lee convenes a panel of pediatric emergency medicine experts to discuss the significance of EMS Week 2025 and the critical EMS for Children program. The panel, featuring Dr. Ann M. Dietrich, Dr. Kathleen Adelgais and Dr. Lindsay Jaeger, highlights the essential role of EMS professionals in providing pre-hospital care for pediatric patients, particularly in emergency situations. With less ...

Dr. Ted Lee talks with Dr. Douglas Kupas and Dr. Joanne Piccininni on the topic of EMS safety during EMS Week 2025. With decades of experience in EMS, both guests highlight the significance of prioritizing safety within the EMS community, stressing that awareness and proactive measures can prevent injuries and fatalities. They discuss the need for a cultural shift in EMS, focusing on safety practices such as seatbelt usage and risk...

In this episode of the JEMS Report, Dr. Ted Lee sits down with Shaun Gladney, executive director of the Bryant Gladney Foundation, a nonprofit established in memory of his father, a dedicated paramedic and educator who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. The foundation's mission is to empower future EMS providers through scholarships for paramedic education and innovative educational offerings. Sean shares his father’s im...

When faced with the challenge of reviving a patient in cardiac arrest, paramedics rely on an arsenal of tools, techniques, and medications. Among these are two stalwarts of advanced cardiac life support (ACLS): amiodarone and lidocaine.

Although both drugs have long been included in protocols as viable options for shockable cardiac arrests, a n...