Inside EMS EMS1 Podcasts

In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, our host, Chris Cebollero, is joined by EMS1 Columnist and Editorial Advisory Board Member, Rob Lawrence. Topic of discussion is the Iowa EMTs that were cited by the state for starting an IV off duty. The discussion then turns to the COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in EMS and how best to return to work. Rob then shares a little bit about his podcast, EMS One-Stop.

On this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss the adage of treating the patient, not the monitor. While the numbers are a vital piece of the puzzle, it's important to look at the information in context of what's going on with the patient as a whole, the duo reminds listeners.

During the discussion, Grayson touches on the concept of defensive medicine, which happens when a provider or ER physician does myriad tests to see what will "stick" regarding a patient's symptoms. Grayson also offers tips for providers who are working to use monitor numbers as a starting point to treating the whole patient.

In this podcast, host Rob Lawrence pays homage to our heroes in headsets in recognition of the recent National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and he also looks to the future of triage with guest Conrad Fivaz, MD.

Dr. Fivaz chairs the Council of Standards for Emergency Nurse Triage within the International Academy of Emergency Dispatch, the body responsible for the clinical governance of the nurse triage protocols. He fulfills the role of clinical director for Priority Solutions Inc. He is also a member of the IAED CBRN committee.

On this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson discuss a new piece of legislation proposed in Colorado that would limit the use of ketamine by EMS providers, as well as similar laws being considered in other states.

The conversation also delves into how to treat excited delirium, as well as the implications of legislators creating laws governing EMS and how that will affect providers in the future.

On this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by Dan Phillips, national director of Responder Health, who speaks with the co-hosts about first responder mental health and how to make a difference. 

As most are aware, 2020 was an immensely difficult year for many people, particularly first responders, who were on the frontlines and exposed to the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. From risking exposure to the disease to responding to crisis situations exacerbated by nearly a year of isolation, first responders are experiencing unprecedented levels of stress and trauma. And, unfortunately, many don’t have the tools to deal with these extreme emotions in a healthy way.

“After 28 years as a first responder, and as someone who battled PTSD, the one thing I believe that all first responders have in common is that they are more focused on helping others rather than taking care of themselves,” Phillips said. “In the midst of this pandemic, our first responders need to be making sure that they are taking care of themselves and the other first responders around them. If they aren’t, they cannot effectively help those they are serving.”

Phillips says intervention from a colleague led to him finally seeking treatment after experiencing severe PTSD stemming from his response as a first responder to the Pentagon after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. Now, Phillips hopes to pay it forward and serve as a mentor for others, as his colleague did for him.

On this episode of Inside EMS, co-hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson are joined by New York EMT Jennifer Murphy, whose book "First Responder: A Memoir of Life, Death, and Love on New York City's Front Lines" was recently published. 

While on the podcast, Murphy shares the inspiration for her book, describes her favorite sections and explains how she determined which stories to include with our hosts.