Inside EMS

In this episode of Inside EMS, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson explore leadership insights drawn from a recent post by The Humbled Medic blog, which highlights lessons from the hit Apple TV show “Ted Lasso.” Known for its humor and heart, the show serves as a surprising but fitting blueprint for leadership, especially for EMS educators and professionals.  The hosts discuss the importance of embracing the philosophy “be curious, not judgmental,” a guiding principle that urges EMS providers to set aside assumptions about patients and colleagues. Other takeaways include the value of challenging oneself to grow, the significance of second chances, and the power of building a trusted support system.   From embracing discomfort, to cultivating belief in others and finding small ways to show kindness, the episode encourages EMS professionals to lead with both heart and purpose.  ABOUT THE SPONSOR  Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.  RATE & REVIEW  Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest. 

This year, EMS brought more than its fair share of jaw-dropping moments, and as we wrap up 2024, we’re revisiting five of the craziest stories that made headlines. From a massive chemical plant fire in Texas prompting a shelter-in-place order, to a sand hole tragedy on a Florida beach, these events highlight the unpredictability of EMS work. Ever had a crash victim ejected so far from their vehicle, they landed on a roof? That’s exactly what happened in Michigan. Or a tractor-trailer cab dangling precariously off a bridge? Louisville firefighters made a daring rescue of a semi-driver in just such a predicament. And let’s not forget the aquarium at a Texas hospital that literally cushioned the blow of a car crashing into the ER. Turns out, those tropical fish weren’t just for decoration after all. These stories remind us that no call is ever routine, and the unpredictable nature of EMS keeps us on our toes. It’s also a good reminder to revisit training and be ready for the “what-ifs,” from trench rescues to chemical response protocols. Quotables “In public safety, everybody’s an expert about someone else’s call.” “If you work a wreck after midnight and don’t find a drunk, keep looking — someone is missing.” “The body can take a crazy amount of trauma and still survive.” “All I can think is some hospital administrator somewhere is saying, ‘See? That aquarium was worth it.’” “Dark humor isn’t always the best coping mechanism, but it’s how we survive the job.” Top 5 craziest EMS calls of 2024 Aquarium likely saved lives when car crashed into Texas ED 2 dead, dozens injured in hazmat leak at Texas refinery 911 calls from fatal Fla. sand hole collapse released Ejected in fiery crash, Mich. driver lands on roof of house Dash cam video shows Ky. truck left hanging off bridge after crash Enjoying the show? Email the Inside EMS team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest. ABOUT THE SPONSOR Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com.

EMS pay and retention – or the lack thereof – is at the heart of this week’s episode of Inside EMS. Hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle a news item out of Dougherty County, Georgia, where a recent exodus of EMS professionals spurred long-overdue pay raises and bonuses. The discussion then shifts to Pickens County, Alabama, where a lack of funding led to a total EMS shutdown. Chris and Kelly explore how underfunded systems collapse under the weight of low reimbursement rates, poor public understanding of EMS costs, and systemic inaction until tragedy strikes. Through real-world examples, the hosts unpack why it’s essential to “vote with your feet” as an EMS professional and how agencies can keep talent by either paying well or fostering loyalty – though they can’t afford to fail at both. If you’ve ever wondered why EMS seems stuck in a financial rut, this episode offers insights that hit close to home. ABOUT THE SPONSOR Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams, or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com. RATE & REVIEW Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.

In this week’s episode of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive into a vital topic: the culture of accountability in EMS. Sparked by FireRescue1’s Chief Marc Bashoor’s thought-provoking article, "Where is our culture of accountability?", the hosts explore why change is so difficult to embrace, how leadership impacts culture and what steps agencies can take to help foster accountability across an organization. From managing expectations to addressing fairness in discipline, our cohosts discuss the challenges of enforcing standards and avoiding the normalization of deviance. Whether it's implementing safety protocols or shifting organizational norms, this episode unpacks how leaders and teams can work together to inspire meaningful change. Quotable takeaways “The only one who likes change is a wet baby.” — Kelly Grayson “If you don’t correct something, that thing becomes the new standard.” — Kelly Grayson “Vision is where we’re going; strategy is how we’re going to get there and culture is the behavior of the organization in reaching the vision.” — Chris Cebollero “Turnover isn’t the end of the world.” — Kelly Grayson ----more---- ABOUT THE SPONSOR Whether replacing radio reports, alerting specialty teams or managing mass casualty incidents, Pulsara simplifies communication. Pulsara scales to meet your dynamic communication needs. From routine patient alerts to managing large-scale emergencies, every responder and clinician connects seamlessly. Familiar yet powerful, Pulsara streamlines your response, from routine transfers to regional disasters. One tool. Every day. Regardless of event. Discover more at Pulsara.com. RATE & REVIEW Enjoying the show? Contact the Inside EMS team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback, or let us know if you’d like to join us as a guest.