Episodes

  • ‘We love this job — and it’s hurting us’: Paramedic Sophie on EMS burnout and culture change

    ‘We love this job — and it’s hurting us’: Paramedic Sophie on EMS burnout and culture change
    Jan 22 2026

    In this episode of EMS One-Stop, Sophie Fuller — better known across social media as Paramedic Sophie — joins host Rob Lawrence for a candid, energizing conversation about what it really feels like to work in EMS right now: pride, the pressure, the burnout, and the culture issues that too many providers have been taught to silently absorb.

    Sophie is a critical care ground paramedic, flight paramedic, educator and president of the Tennessee Association of EMS Providers (TAEMSP), and she brings a provider-first lens to everything from leadership visibility, to mental health and pay equity.

    Together, Rob and Sophie dig into why Sophie started creating content in the first place (hint: burnout and the need to connect), how social media can be used as a force for good, and what “healthy” EMS culture should look like in practice. Sophie shares practical advice for crews and leaders alike:

    • Be human

    • Say the uncomfortable thing

    • Stop normalizing harm

    • Build systems that “care back” for the people doing the work

    Memorable quotes

    • “We're just working in systems that haven't yet learned how to care back for the provider.” — Sophie Fuller

    • “Management by walking about. Don't be stuck in the office. Don't say my door is always open because that relies on people coming in to see you. Get out and go and see them.” — Rob Lawrence

    • “We love this job and that distracts us from the fact that it's also hurting us.” — Sophie Fuller

    • “Just because it's normal doesn't mean it's healthy.” — Sophie Fuller

    • “We confuse trauma with tradition.” — Sophie Fuller

    Additional resources:

    • Follow Paramedic Sophie on:

      • YouTube

      • Tik Tok

    • “The Next Shift : A mentorship workbook for EMTs and Paramedics” | E-Book, by Sophie Fuller

    • “To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System” - PubMed

    Episode timeline

    01:00 – Rob introduces Sophie Fuller (“Paramedic Sophie”) and frames the influencer vs. “effluencer” concept

    02:14 – Sophie’s origin story: graphic design → hospital tech → EMT → volunteer fire → paramedic → critical care → flight

    06:16 – TAEMSP: why Tennessee needed a provider-level association and the shift toward legislative advocacy

    08:05 – Why she started with social media: two full-time 911 jobs, low pay, burnout and the need for an outlet/connection

    09:32 – Defining EMS burnout: the “jar on the shelf” and cumulative strain that becomes chronic fatigue

    13:26 – Sophie’s guidance to providers: vulnerability, telling the truth and not letting naysayers silence needed conversations

    16:00 – Sophie’s message to leadership: don’t be the “Wizard of Oz” — show up, communicate and stay connected to crews

    20:26 – EMS culture: self-sacrifice, silence, “earning your place through suffering,” and confusing trauma with tradition

    23:10 – Sophie’s book “The Next Shift”: a field guide to “learn, lead and last” in EMS

    26:03 – Mistakes and “just culture”: reporting, mentoring, anonymous reporting systems, and learning vs. blame

    32:08 – Closing challenge: stop normalizing harm; speak up for culture and patient care

    33:14 – Where to find Sophie online and how large her platform has become

    Enjoying the show? Email editor@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for a future episode.

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    35 mins
  • NEMSQA 2025 Report: In trauma care, consistency outperforms heroics

    NEMSQA 2025 Report: In trauma care, consistency outperforms heroics
    Jan 15 2026

    In this episode of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence is joined by his own Medical Director, Dr. Maia Dorsett, to unpack the 2025 NEMSQA Measures Report — a deep dive into trauma-focused quality measures built largely from NEMSIS data.

    Dr. Dorsett frames the discussion around the central aim of quality improvement:

    • Are we doing a good job?
    • Are we delivering the best possible care?
    • How do we get better?

    From pediatric vital signs to traumatic brain injury (TBI) fundamentals, she walks listeners through what the report reveals, what it can’t reliably measure yet, and why some of the “sexy” procedures are too rare to serve as useful system-wide metrics.

    The conversation highlights a recurring theme: fundamentals matter most. Dr. Dorsett explains how measures like complete vital signs and avoiding secondary brain injury in TBI (hypoxia, hypotension, hyperventilation) can drive meaningful outcomes — even during relatively short prehospital intervals.

    She also points out where current measurement approaches unintentionally create documentation burden for clinicians, arguing that systems should do more of the “figuring out” (like trauma center designation and prenotification capture) without requiring extra clicks.

    The episode closes with a call to action: anyone can join NEMSQA, contribute to the work, and help shape what EMS quality measurement becomes next.

    Memorable quotes from Dr. Maia Dorsett

    “I think the most fundamental question in quality improvement is, are we doing a good job?”

    “I think part of the value of this report is specifically looking at those things and saying what should we be measuring using NEMSIS data or how should things be integrated into that database so that the answers are there rather than needing to be documented on each individual case?”

    “If there's one thing that you're going to take away from this trauma report is that, the sexy stuff is important, but it happens rarely. And if you want to improve care in your system, it's about the fundamentals of good care.”

    Additional resources

    • NEMSQA 2025 Report Release
    • EMS One-Stop: Leading through momentum: Dr. Douglas Kupas on steering NAEMSP

    Episode timeline

    00:31 – Rob welcomes listeners; introduces the 2025 NEMSQA measures discussion and notes prior episode with Dr. Jeff Jarvis

    01:10 – Dr. Dorsett joins; holiday surge discussion and flu impact on EDs and admissions

    03:08 – Dr. Dorsett explains her role as co-chair of NEMSQA’s Measure Analysis and Research Committee; trauma focus of the 2025 report; pain measures not included due to active research

    05:00 – NEMSIS scale and opportunity: extracting meaningful measures from a massive national dataset

    05:35 – Dr. Dorsett on what NEMSIS measures well vs. what it shouldn’t force clinicians to document (system should determine trauma center status)

    07:46 – “HALO procedures” table: why rare interventions shouldn’t become national quality measures

    10:17 – Trauma 08: complete vital signs; pediatric gap (adults ~93% vs pediatrics ~85% in discussion)

    14:22 – TBI measures: preventing secondary brain injury; why fundamentals outperform “sexy” fixes; correction rates for hypotension/hypoxia discussed

    21:39 – Trauma 04: trauma triage criteria and transport to trauma centers; why national measure looks low; documentation field limitations

    24:17 – State collaboration comparison: using state trauma center designation data shifts performance dramatically (often 75–90%+ in examples)

    26:55 – Trauma 14: hospital prenotification; importance and measurement challenges (multiple modalities, inconsistent capture)

    30:01 – Rob raises operational/policy concerns about trauma alerts and incentives; Dr. Dorsett adds nuance about local criteria variation

    33:22 – Closing: Dr. Dorsett’s “fundamentals matter” takeaway; impact at scale

    34:44 – Dr. Dorsett plugs joining NEMSQA as an individual/agency; committees are open

    35:31 – NAEMSP Tampa preview; Dr. Dorsett: “The people” are why she goes — leaves energized with new ideas

    Enjoying the show? Email editor@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for a future episode.

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    37 mins
  • Leading through momentum: Dr. Douglas Kupas on steering NAEMSP

    Leading through momentum: Dr. Douglas Kupas on steering NAEMSP
    Jan 8 2026

    Dr. Douglas Kupas joins Rob Lawrence to kick off EMS One-Stop in 2026, reflecting on his first year as President of NAEMSP — a year he describes as fast-moving, complex and occasionally “whack-a-mole,” with emerging issues demanding real-time leadership while long-term priorities still had to move forward.

    He shares what he’s learned about the presidency, the value of NAEMSP’s leadership “bench strength,” and why advocacy and coalition-building across national EMS organizations has become more coordinated, more strategic and more essential.

    The conversation then turns to what’s immediately ahead: the NAEMSP Annual Meeting in Tampa (late January), including pre-conference courses, the flagship Medical Director’s Course, and a packed scientific program. Kupas highlights a keynote focused on transforming battlefield trauma care; major research programming through oral abstracts and hundreds of posters; and high-impact sessions spanning clinical care, operations, legal issues, and international perspectives — reinforcing why the Tampa meeting remains a must-attend event for anyone serious about the science and future of EMS.

    Episode timeline

    00:00 – Rob tees up NAEMSP Annual Meeting growth as a “good problem to have” 00:50 – Welcome/Happy New Year 2026; Dr. Kupas introduced as first guest of the year 01:45 – Year one as NAEMSP president: what’s surprised Dr. Kupas, pace of work, governance “bench strength” 04:26 – NEMSAC termination: what happened, what NAEMSP hopes comes next 07:02 – Building the pipeline: medical student/resident interest group, travel support ideas 08:47 – “Hot off the press:” NAEMSP accepted into WHO Acute Care Action Network 10:08 – Advocacy “hunting as a pack:” overlapping national orgs, EMS on the Hill coordination 12:40 – Why Hill visits work: stories, staffers and why first-timers matter 16:48 – “White hat” advocacy and patient-centered priorities; ED wall time as a key issue 20:07 – Tampa preview: “It’s not just for docs,” NAEMSP membership structure 22:11 – Pre-cons overview: Medical Director’s Course, QI workshop, MIH, ventilation, blood, TECC 23:55 – Keynote: Dr. Frank Butler and special intro by Dr. Bob Mabry; Grand Rounds obstetric focus 27:45 – Major legal session format and why legal content draws a crowd 29:28 – Space constraints and future planning: small convention centers; San Diego “buyout” scale 31:49 – Research explosion: oral abstracts, posters, receptions; better ways to access abstracts 34:39 – “Meat of the conference:” operations, clinical topics, international speakers/learning 36:49 – Closing question: Bill details

    Enjoying the show? Email editor@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for a future episode.

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    39 mins
  • The EMS Avenger returns: Jimmy Apple’s no-holds-barred take on tech, burnout and backboards

    The EMS Avenger returns: Jimmy Apple’s no-holds-barred take on tech, burnout and backboards
    Dec 30 2025
    As the year wraps, Rob Lawrence welcomes back the “EMS Avenger” Jimmy Apple for a fast-moving, end-of-year pulse check on the EMS universe — through the lens of social media, research and what frontline clinicians are actually saying when the mic is on and the comments are open. Building on last week’s data-and-trends conversation , this episode pivots into “the world according to Jimmy Apple” and his alter ego, the EMS Avenger, exploring what’s made providers lean in, push back or flat-out declare “enough is enough.” | SHARE YOUR STORY: A call for real stories from the EMS field, station and beyond From burnout and workforce conditions to AI-assisted ECG interpretation and the rise of microlearning, the conversation lands on a central theme: the future of EMS isn’t just protocols — it’s people, technology and how we choose to learn, adapt and debate. Jimmy also names his “paper of the year” on spinal immobilization, explains how he handles disagreement without falling into “quicksand arguments,” and previews a packed 2026 speaking calendar — plus a relaunch of his podcast. Memorable quotes “If we can just verify that you’re retaining the information, that’s much more important than the veracity of how long it took you to get that information.” — Jimmy Apple “You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.” — Jimmy Apple “That’s the future; is that literally, we’re going to swipe it, absorb it and swipe away again.” — Rob Lawrence “My paper of the year is the paper that was published on spinal mobilization … It does not support the use of backboards as anything other than an extrication tool.” — Jimmy Apple “I think that a big push that I’m making this year is to really start talking about the EMS provider as the person.” — Jimmy Apple Episode timeline 00:56 — Rob welcomes listeners, references year-in-review data and notes ambulance thefts continue to trend. 01:38 — Rob brings Jimmy back and asks for a quick summary of Jimmy’s year and growing reach, and the top themes Jimmy has seen. 04:12 — Jimmy identifies provider conditions and mindset as the dominant theme and describes discussion of collapse/collapsing systems. 06:12 — Jimmy explains social media as the pulse point and highlights burnout, anger and provider frustration. 06:52 — Jimmy pivots to technology’s growing role and EMS resistance to tech encroachment in practice. 07:23 — Rob connects the tech thread to conference observations (Axon, AI). Jimmy gives examples (AI 12-lead, apps) and argues tech advancement shouldn’t be rejected due to “skill deterioration” fears. 09:34 — Rob asks Jimmy’s “how do you explain complex concepts quickly?” Jimmy uses the Michelangelo anecdote to describe stripping concepts to essentials; critiques padded, time-gated education. 12:29 — Jimmy argues for education credit models that recognize microlearning and self-directed learning if retention can be verified. 14:04 — Rob asks for standout research; Jimmy discusses RSI/induction agent considerations, pressors debate and prehospital antibiotics. 16:47 — Rob and Jimmy preview NAEMSP’s annual meeting (“research Disney”), value of posters, networking and clinical depth. 18:26 — Jimmy names spinal immobilization evidence review as his “paper of the year” and explains its conclusions. 21:36 — Rob asks how Jimmy handles disagreement/detractors with a larger platform — Jimmy describes disagreement as healthy, focuses on respectful pushback and staying anchored in data. 29:00 — Final question: Jimmy emphasizes “provider as person,” healing the clinician and a sponsored podcast relaunch in January. Additional resources Meet the EMS Avenger: Saving lives with kindness and content. TikTok sensation and pediatric critical care paramedic Jimmy Apple shares his rise in EMS education, battling misinformation with heart and hustle Jimmy Apple’s “paper of the year:” Millin MG, Innes JC, King GD, Abo BN, et al. “Prehospital Trauma Compendium: Prehospital Management of Spinal Cord Injuries — A NAEMSP Comprehensive Review and Analysis of the Literature.” Prehosp Emerg Care. 2025 Aug. Connect with Jimmy Apple, better known as The EMS Avenger: TikTok — Jimmy offers short-form, evidence-based EMS content here: @emsavenger Instagram — Engage with in-depth reels, visuals, and professional updates: @emsavenger X (formerly Twitter) — Follow EMS commentary, conversation, and boosts: @EMSAvenger Facebook — Join the group for discussions and shared insights: EMS Avenger community Apple Podcasts — Listen to “EMS Avenger: 20 Minutes to Save the World”: Weekly podcast series AAA & AIMHI EMS Media Log: EMS Intel Enjoying the show? Contact the EMS One-Stop team at editor@EMS1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback.
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    31 mins
  • EMS at the edge: Inside a year of reckoning and redesign

    EMS at the edge: Inside a year of reckoning and redesign
    Dec 26 2025
    As EMS closes out 2025, host Rob Lawrence is joined by Matt Zavadsky (PWWAG) and Rodney Dyche (Patient Care EMS Solutions) for their second annual EMSIntel.org “year in review” conversation — a fast-moving tour through the biggest stories shaping the EMS profession. Drawing from the EMSIntel news log (now 3,849 stories as of the morning of recording), the trio connects what’s making headlines to what EMS leaders are experiencing on the ground: unstable economics, governance pressure, system redesign and rising operational risk. The discussion lands on several recurring themes: economic sustainability as the dominant issue; the real-world politics of tax levies and “essential service” designations; the ongoing obsession with response times (and what they cost); preventable ambulance thefts escalating in severity; and the importance of measuring and publishing clinical outcomes and meaningful performance metrics. The through-line: communities are being forced into more honest conversations about what they can afford — and what EMS should look like going into 2026. | SHARE YOUR STORY: A call for real stories from the EMS field, station and beyond Memorable quotes “Having a thoughtful conversation about what your system needs to look like on the go forward is paramount.” — Rodney Dyche“If you don’t talk about yourself, somebody else will, and then you don’t control the narrative.” — Rob Lawrence“Our No. 1 focus really needs to be on the economic sustainability of these systems because we are past the breaking point.” — Matt Zavadsky“Response times equals speed; speed equals crashes.” — Rob Lawrence“These theft incidents are … in almost all cases, 100% preventable by an aftermarket device … probably for 100 or $150.” — Rodney Dyche“Response times are expensive. The shorter that you want your response times, the more money it’s going to take.” — Matt Zavadsky“Across every provider type … the fee-for-service revenue is 50% to 60% below the cost of providing service. So when somebody says to you, ‘I can do this for free,’ ask more questions.” — Matt Zavadsky“Response times are used as a cudgel.” — Rodney Dyche Episode timeline 01:11 – Rob introduces the end of 2025 reflection and 2026 look-ahead; welcomes Matt Zavadsky and Rodney Dyche for the second annual EMSIntel year-in-review.02:26 – Rodney reports the EMSIntel log count (“3,849 as of this morning”); Rob explains EMSIntel’s purpose: curating national EMS stories to identify themes and brief stakeholders.04:13 – Matt names the year’s biggest issue: economic sustainability; the fiscal model is broken and impacts everything else. 06:32 – Matt walks through the “AnyTown EMS” trajectory: communities can’t sustain old models, must define service levels, use system intelligence, and redesign for a modern “2028 model.”09:06 – Matt cites the Medicare/RAND cost collection findings and warns that fee-for-service revenue sits far below actual costs; “ask more questions” when someone promises “free.”10:12 – The group discusses communities pursuing tax levies and essential-service framing; Rodney contrasts places that pass funding measures with places that don’t, and highlights local politics and competing priorities.11:52 – Matt clarifies that “essential service” means different things to the public versus statute; agencies need trust, transparency and real community education to succeed at the ballot box.13:50 – Rodney describes the “cost of readiness” misunderstanding (public sees mileage, not readiness); Matt pushes proactive reporting (monthly/quarterly/annual) to build credibility.15:35 – Matt pivots to response times: they’re expensive, clinically relevant in a small fraction of cases, and should be approached with evidence-based expectations and better triage/EMD practices.18:14 – Rodney connects hot responses to preventable intersection crashes and modern driver realities; the discussion frames safety risk as a growing operational storyline.20:21 – Matt adds an editorial caution that crashes are not confined to any one sector; points to recent examples including serious injuries during responses.22:37 – Rob returns to ambulance thefts; Rodney calls most thefts preventable; Matt argues the basic lock discipline exists already and presses for stronger accountability and accreditation-style best practice.26:11 – Rob flags downstream legal and regulatory risk (litigation exposure after stolen-unit crashes; DEA-controlled substances security implications).26:52 – Rodney raises staffing; notes fewer staffing stories than 2024 but questions whether the situation is truly better; mentions earn-to-learn pipeline concerns.28:13 – Matt describes the shift toward tiered deployment and greater EMT utilization, reducing pressure to staff large numbers of paramedics for calls that don’t require that level.30:17 – ...
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    36 mins
  • We deserve this: The Journey to a National EMS Memorial in D.C.

    We deserve this: The Journey to a National EMS Memorial in D.C.
    Dec 18 2025
    In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence revisits an issue close to the heart of every EMS professional: creating a permanent National EMS Memorial in Washington, D.C. Rob is joined by Tony O’Brien and James Robinson from the National EMS Memorial Foundation to provide a clear, candid update on where the project stands, why it matters, and what still needs to be done. From the Weekend of Remembrance to the dream of a year-round place of solace and reverence in the nation’s capital, this conversation lays out the long road from idea to reality — and why EMS, as James puts it, truly deserves this. Tony and James walk listeners through the 24-step federal Commemorative Works Act process, the hard work of narrowing 312 potential sites down to three, and the current push to reauthorize the Foundation’s federal authority through House Resolution 2196 and Senate Bill 2546. They explain the preferred site in front of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building (HHS), the partnership with MIT’s School of Architecture and Urban Risk Lab on a powerful design, and the practical realities of funding, sponsorship and bureaucracy. Most importantly, they end with a clear call to action for the EMS community: contact your elected officials, donate what you can, and help spread the word so that a permanent memorial to EMS can finally take its place in Washington, D.C. Additional resources EMS Memorial EMS Memorial Bills: HR 2196 S2546 2025 National EMS Weekend of Honor recognizes 29 fallen EMS workers ‘Never forgotten’: 2025 Moving Honors procession honors 29 EMS providers lost in the line of duty Episode timeline 00:44 – Rob introduces the episode, sets the scene for a revisit of the National EMS Memorial effort, and welcomes guests Tony O’Brien and James Robinson. 01:30 – Tony and James share their backstories. 03:53 – Tony explains the origins of the Foundation at the Weekend of Remembrance/Weekend of Honor and the realization that EMS needs a permanent memorial people can visit year-round. 06:54 – James outlines the Commemorative Works Act, the 24-step process, and how the Foundation has reached step 15-16 over roughly 15 years. 07:54 – Tony details the grueling site-selection work: visiting 312 sites, environmental and noise studies, traffic and solitude considerations, and narrowing to three candidate locations. 10:48 – James describes the need for an Act of Congress to begin, Congressman Stephen Lynch’s early sponsorship, and the 2018 authorization that started a 7-year clock — complicated by the pandemic and federal shutdowns. 13:12 – Tony explains how the initial authorization expired, the need for reauthorization and the most recent Senate subcommittee hearing on federal lands where James testified. 16:41 – James and Tony frame the new bills: Senate Bill 2546 and House Resolution 2196, their bipartisan sponsors and the push for more co-sponsors. 19:49 – Tony lays out the three-point call to action: contact Congress, donate via EMSMemorial.org, and follow/share @EMSMemorial on social media. 23:06 – Tony describes the three remaining sites and why Independence Ave. & 3rd St SW, in front of HHS, is the preferred location. 24:42 – Tony highlights the pro-bono design work by MIT’s School of Architecture and Urban Risk Lab, and the deep engagement with providers, families and survivors. 26:32 – James explains the historical nexus of EMS with HEW/HHS and why the Humphrey Building plaza offers the right reverence, proximity to the Capitol and connection to EMS history. 29:01 – Tony and James discuss next steps: reauthorization first, then finalizing site and design to approach major sponsors with clear answers on location, look and cost — while acknowledging the project has been bootstrapped so far. 32:03 – Tony reassures donors: the Foundation is a 501(c)(3), the board are all volunteers with only necessary professional services paid from donations. 33:13 – Tony gives shout-outs to the National EMS Memorial Service and the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride, and explains how the three organizations’ missions align. 37:12 – Rob recaps the journey, reinforces the call to action, and closes the show with thanks to Tony and James and a reminder to visit EMSMemorial.org and like/subscribe to EMS One-Stop. Rate & review the EMS One-Stop podcast Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the EMS One-Stop team at editor@EMS1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and RSS feed.
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    38 mins
  • Hyper-turbulent times: EMS economics and AI guardrails with Matt Zavadsky and Dr. Shannon Gollnick

    Hyper-turbulent times: EMS economics and AI guardrails with Matt Zavadsky and Dr. Shannon Gollnick
    Dec 3 2025
    Recorded on the floor of the EMS|MC EMSpire Conference in Charleston, South Carolina, this episode of EMS One-Stop finds host Rob Lawrence in conversation with long-time collaborator and EMS advocate Matt Zavadsky. Fresh off the longest federal government shutdown in history, Rob and Matt unpack what the hyper-turbulence in Washington really means for EMS: suspended Medicare extenders, disrupted grant programs, agencies taking out loans just to meet payroll and training programs put on hold. They break down NAEMT’s flash poll on the shutdown’s impact, the promise of the Treatment in Place (TIP) legislation, and why associations “hunting as a pack” on Capitol Hill matters more than ever. Along the way, they spotlight EMSIntel.org as a national barometer of EMS funding, staffing and response time crises, and issue a clear call to action for providers, billers and leaders to use association tools to contact their members of Congress. | MORE: Government reopens: What EMS providers need to know right now In the second half, Rob is joined by Dr. Shannon Gollnick, paramedic, EMS leader and organizational psychologist, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping EMS — right now. Shannon makes the case that AI is “not the future; it is the present,” and that agency leaders must urgently build literacy, policies and guardrails around its use. They dig into the difference between HIPAA-compliant, embedded AI in ePCR systems, and risky open tools like ChatGPT, touching on hallucinations, embedded code and emerging Medicare fraud-detection programs. | MORE: Artificial to augmented intelligence. How Dr. Shannon Gollnick wants EMS to work smarter, not harder Rob and Shannon talk about AI as a powerful but potentially dangerous tool — “like having a tiger” — and outline practical steps for chiefs: Ask: “Do we have an AI policy?” Define what AI can and cannot be used for Insist that every AI-generated work product is double-checked by a human before it hits the record Memorable quotes “We weren't here to actually scare you off it. We're here to let you know that it's here, but it's like having a tiger, right? We all love to have a tiger, but it has to be contained in some sort of guard, otherwise it's going to run rife and cause havoc, and we don't want that.” — Rob Lawrence “This is part of the hyper-turbulence that's occurring in EMS right now.” — Matt Zavadsky “So I think the message for the profession right now is, now is not the time to put your foot on the brake. It's time to put your foot on the gas.” — Matt Zavadsky “We put the fun into function.” — Dr. Shannon Gollnick “I think it's important to understand that AI is not the future. It is the present. We are currently here right now. And it's nothing to be afraid of.” — Dr. Shannon Gollnick “If you're not doing it, I promise you that your staff is doing it and they're playing around with AI.” — Dr. Shannon Gollnick “Guardrails don't exist from a congressional standpoint. They don't exist from a regulatory standpoint. The technology is moving far too fast. So we as agency leaders have to take the lead in putting up some of those guardrails.” — Dr. Shannon Gollnick “There are ePCR software out there that are using proprietary AI that will use AI-generated narratives. And that absolutely is 100% good to go. What we don't want to see is our crews putting in their ChatGPT to have ChatGPT write their narrative.” — Dr. Shannon Gollnick “ChatGPT has embedded code inside of it that you can't see, but that code is there ... so what we're kind of afraid to do is to say, hey, what happens 6 months from now, 8 months from now when Medicare does an audit, they run your ePCRs and find all of this embedded code from ChatGPT ... you open yourself up for a lot of compliance issues.” — Dr. Shannon Gollnick Additional resources: EMS Intel EMS News Tracker American Ambulance Association Advocacy NAEMT Advocacy EMS shutdown survival: What leaders need to know now Charting the future: How AI is rewriting the EMS narrative Episode timeline: 00:21 – Rob introduces guest Matt Zavadsky 02:02 – Rob recaps the 40-plus-day federal government shutdown, questions about reopening, and his upcoming return to Capitol Hill for renewed advocacy 02:02 – Matt frames the shutdown as part of the “hyper turbulence” in EMS; explains the regulatory suspensions, pauses in Medicare extenders and grants, and how cash-flow uncertainty forced some agencies to take out loans just to make payroll 03:04 – Matt details NAEMT’s flash poll (408 agency responses) showing suspended training and grant-funded programs, and warns of a possible repeat shutdown around January 30 03:54 – Rob and Matt discuss the reopening of government, ongoing bipartisan work, and the risk that everything “comes to a grinding halt” again if Congress can’t agree 04:51 – Matt explains why NAEMT released the ...
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    27 mins
  • Jamaica Fire Brigade’s front line: Inside the Hurricane Melissa response

    Jamaica Fire Brigade’s front line: Inside the Hurricane Melissa response
    Nov 13 2025
    In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence welcomes Dr. Hezedean Smith, who spotlights the human and operational toll of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. Dr. Smith draws from first-hand perspective from the ground, detailing catastrophic damage to homes, utilities, roads and communications — which compounded the workload and emotional burden for Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) firefighters and EMS providers. Dr. Smith highlighted the Brigade’s Amazon Wish List effort, which aims to route essential personal items and operational supplies directly to affected JFB members and stations to sustain continuity of operations and support responders’ families. After the break, Dr. Smith switched hats as the newly elected President of NEMSMA to outline the association’s renewed momentum: New association management support Expanded member services and credentials The inaugural NEMSMA Leadership Conference The NEMSMA Leadership Conference will take place in Washington, D.C., March 23-24, 2026, intentionally adjacent to EMS on the Hill to create a leadership-plus-advocacy “two-fer.” Highlights include keynote Gen. Robert Neller (Ret.), plus a deep bench of EMS leaders and educators. Memorable quotes from Dr. Hezedean Smith “Many homes destroyed, utility systems interrupted, critical infrastructure in terms of communities having the ability to communicate, leaving thousands displaced, even fire stations having operational challenges as it relates to communication and interoperability ... ” “I stayed in the local fire station. I wanted to be there with the men and women on the ground, to make sure that I had that communication, that constant contact with them.” “My focus will be on the firefighters and ensuring that we get enough supplies to go directly to the firefighters.” “We want to tear down silos. We want to redefine leadership and ensure that we continue to collaborate across this globe.” Additional resources: Jamaica Fire Brigade – Amazon Wish List National EMS Management Association (NEMSMA) NEMSMA Leadership Conference: Washington, D.C., March 23-24, 2026 EMS on the Hill, March 25-26, 2026, Arlington, Virginia International Journal of Paramedicine EMS One-Stop: General Robert Neller on ethical leadership and adaptability Episode timeline: 00:46 – Quick industry/policy update 01:27 – Set-up: Hurricane Melissa overview; impact stats and current situation 02:12 – Welcome Dr. Hezedean Smith 02:26 – Dr. Smith’s backstory: Jamaica roots, USAF medic, Orlando FD, two fire chief roles, GES Consulting, Caribbean EMS focus 04:20 – First reactions to Melissa: scale of damage; compounded human toll 05:58 – Deployment cadence: aligning with JFB command, CDEMA, national EOC; travel hurdles; rapid integration on arrival 08:28 – Why existing relationships matter; staying in-station with crews; supporting leaders and frontline needs 11:13 – Call to action: Amazon wish list for responders’ personal and operational needs; distribution via JFB logistics 13:20 – Specific needs (PPE, boots, clothing, hygiene, basic medical supplies) and the ongoing recovery realities 17:46 – NEMSMA — new president, renewed energy, new AMC, who NEMSMA serves 20:14 – Board/leadership shout-outs; programs (FTEP, ACPE), member services, momentum 22:49 – Conference preview (Mar 23–24, 2026, D.C.): theme — disruptive leadership; Gen. Robert Neller keynote; speaker lineup; proximity to EMS on the Hill 26:29 – IJOP collaboration and research-to-podcast pipeline; communications and sponsorship improvements 28:29 – Closing thanks; unified call to support JFB and engage with NEMSMA initiatives Rate and review the EMS One-Stop podcast Enjoying the show? Please take a moment to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Contact the EMS One-Stop team at editor@EMS1.com to share ideas, suggestions and feedback. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and RSS feed.
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    31 mins