EMS One-Stop

In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, host Chris Cebollero shares why he left the consulting and community paramedicine world to become chief of EMS and COO for EMS Team in Dayton, Ohio — a growing multi-state agency with “visions of world dominance.” The conversation digs deep into servant leadership, workforce buy-in and the balance between supporting crews while still holding the line on professionalism and performance. Chris also lays out his vision for creating a sustainable culture built on accountability, engagement and shared ownership. It’s equal parts leadership seminar, war story and reality check for anyone who’s ever tried to fix a fractured EMS system. Additional resources: How to lead without being that boss Leadership lessons: How to turn failure into growth Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback.

Editor’s Note: Suicide is always preventable. If you are having thoughts of suicide or feeling suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline immediately at 988. Remember: You deserve to be supported, and it is never too late to seek help. Speak with someone today. ----more---- This week on Inside EMS, host Kelly Grayson is joined by Texas educator John Puryear as they process the loss of a colleague to suicide — and to confront the uncomfortable truth: the mental health crisis in EMS is years in the making, and awareness alone isn’t cutting it. From peer support to fatigue policies, Chris and Jon lay out what actually helps: real conversations in the rig, leadership that prioritizes mental health and seeking professional help. The message is clear: taking care of your mind is operational readiness. And if you’re not checking on your partner, you’re missing the fight that matters most. Quotable takeaways “I don't think the public understands how much this profession can break you.” “It’s not about what’s wrong with you, it’s what’s happened to you.” “Help is a professional strength, not a weakness.” Additional resources: What’s your department’s suicide prevention plan? How to recognize, help a struggling team member Mental wellness check-ins: What they are and how they help Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback.

Things get intense on this episode of Inside EMS as hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson tackle an age-old industry debate: should EMTs spend time on a truck before going to paramedic school or is that “experience” overrated? Kelly kicks things off with a spicy take, arguing that poor field training and inconsistent preceptorship often do more harm than good. From his perspective, bad habits, weak mentorship and burnout culture are the norm, not the exception. But Chris isn’t buying it. He counters that experience builds what classrooms can’t: clinical judgment, scene management and the ability to function in chaos. For him, skipping that step means stacking advanced skills on a shaky foundation. What follows is a back-and-forth that hits on everything from “microwave medics” and outdated curricula to high-fidelity simulation and whether modern education can truly replicate the street. Both sides agree the system is flawed — but disagree on where to fix it. Enjoying the show? Email editor@ems1.com to share feedback.

This week on Inside EMS, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson take a practical look at how leadership — both formal and informal — shapes the culture of an EMS organization. The hosts break down three things crews notice immediately: consistency, presence and composure. They emphasize that good leadership isn’t about controlling people or enforcing policies — it’s about developing crews, communicating clearly and earning trust over time. This episode breaks down how leadership credibility is built slowly through consistent behavior — and it only takes one misstep to damage it. Quotable takeaways “The culture of an EMS organization is shaped far more by leadership behavior than by policy manuals.” “You don't build strong organizations by controlling people. You build them by developing people.” “Leadership starts the moment people are watching.” Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by ZOLL software and data solutions. Optimize EMS performance and outcomes at every stage of operations with interoperable solutions from dispatch, to patient care, QA/QI, billing and beyond. Visit zolldata.com to learn about the complete solution suite. This week on the Inside EMS podcast, Jon Puryear, NREMT-P, is back and if you’ve ever sweated a National Registry deadline, this one hits home. Amid the ever-looming March 31 cutoff, Puryear breaks down what’s changed in continuing education — and what hasn’t. Known for his ability to simplify complex topics, Puryear has built National Registry refresher courses, explainers and CE programs designed not just to check a box, but to truly reinforce clinical understanding. His teaching style leans heavily on storytelling and practical analogies — think pulmonary edema explained through a waterlogged sponge — so providers walk away actually understanding the information, not just memorizing it. If you need hours, motivation — or just someone to explain it like a human — this episode is your reset. Top quotes “I don’t believe that we chose this profession. I believe that the profession chose us. We have a special calling inside of us to be able to take care of our fellow mankind.” “We don’t get rich. We don’t make a lot of money doing this. We’re truly public servants.” “Continuing education is still important to be able to keep our mind, our clinical care, our judgment, everything on top.” Email editor@ems1.com to share feedback.

This episode of Inside EMS is brought to you by ZOLL software and data solutions. Optimize EMS performance and outcomes at every stage of operations with interoperable solutions from dispatch, to patient care, QA/QI, billing and beyond. Visit zolldata.com to learn about the complete solution suite. NAEMSP is officially a “big little conference” — and it’s only getting bigger. In this crossover episode, Rob Lawrence and Chris Cebollero unpack the momentum: tighter collaboration, a unified push toward EMS on the Hill Day, and the growing realization that if we want change, we need boots (and uniforms) on Capitol Hill. But the real buzz? AI. From autonomous ambulances to narrative-writing software, the conversation gets real about the promise — and the potholes — of artificial intelligence in EMS. Charting shortcuts? Maybe. Courtroom landmines? Definitely possible. Add in body-worn camera debates, budget crises and a push for legislative support at the federal level, and it’s clear the profession is standing at a pivot point. Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for future episodes.

Dr. Peter Antevy returns to the Inside EMS co-host seat this week, filling in for Kelly Grayson and bringing some serious pediatric firepower to the conversation. Host Chris Cebollero dives right into the latest buzz around the Broselow tape recall — yes, again — as Dr. Antevy unpacks what went wrong, why it matters and what EMS agencies should be doing about it now. He also shares exciting details on his brand-new, field-focused Newborn Resuscitation & Obstetrics course (NROC), built by EMS for EMS. Designed with two hours of online content (zero PowerPoints!) and a short, in-house skills lab, this course aims to tackle one of the most nerve-wracking call types. No more dragging medics to the hospital for NRP classes that don’t translate to street-level care. Also on deck: OB deserts, delayed cord clamping, why you might need to Saran-wrap a newborn (seriously), and what AI can — and can’t — do for EMS. This one’s packed with practical pearls, myth-busting insights and a whole lot of passion for pediatric education. Quotable takeaways from Dr. Peter Antevy “EMS is one specialty that AI will never take away, as far as like the human-to-human contact. We resuscitate people, we treat people who are seizing. AI will never do that. That's a good thing.” “Academics and the hospital folks don't recognize the value that EMS brings to the table. They think we're ambulance drivers. It's time for them to wake up and recognize that we are the people who deliver babies. We are the people who resuscitate grandma, grandpa and the little kid.” Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for future episodes.

In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, Chris and Kelly are joined by paramedic student April McKenzie — aka “April Anonymous” — for a deep dive into the buffer system and CO2 mapping. April’s in the thick of paramedic school and like every good learner, she’s asking “why?” — so the guys break down the physiology behind capnography, acid-base balance and the lungs-vs.-kidneys showdown that keeps our patients alive. Plus, they throw in old-school war stories, rant about naloxone misuse and admit that bicarb is no longer the go-to cardiac arrest drug. If you've ever tried to explain respiratory vs. metabolic acidosis in under 10 minutes, this episode is your cheat sheet. April will be back throughout the year with more student questions, so buckle up for the ongoing EMS education you didn’t know you needed. Quotable takeaways “Just because you see somebody with signs and symptoms and the protocol says, do this; that's OK, but that just makes you a protocol paramedic.” “My friend Romy Duckworth calls [capnography] the MVP of vital signs, and that's a good way to remember it — MVP: Metabolism, Ventilation and Profusion. And it will tell you derangement about all three of those things very well once you're proficient at interpreting the waveforms.” “Basically, the buffer system is the body's way of keeping the pH stable. So, if we're blowing out, if we're having problems with respiratory acidosis — and let's talk about CDKA, where they're trying to blow off — it's the respiratory systems’ way of making sure that we have homeostasis.” Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for an upcoming episode.

In this end-of-year special, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson wrap 2025 with their trademark mix of humor, insight and zero sugarcoating. From venomous bites to venomous behavior, the Inside EMS duo continue counting down the top EMS stories that had the industry buzzing this year — and occasionally cringing. As always, the guys don’t shy away from the tough stuff, but they make sure to end on a note of gratitude for the everyday EMS pros out there doing the job with compassion, competence and quiet heroism. Quotable takeaways “Every day, EMS providers go out there, do their jobs and bring some kindness and some comfort to a really bad day for their patients. And I think we need to look forward to more of that in 2026.” “Sometimes we've done things that maybe we shouldn't have, because it isn't in our scope of protocols, but I think we make a difference. Where's the line?” “Most of the advantages of mechanical CPR are not advantages at all.” The top EMS1 stories of 2025 Representatives Glenn Thompson and John Mannion introduced the EMS Counts Act Social Security Fairness Act signed into law, boosting retirement benefits for first responders Kentucky EMTs face KBEMS hearing for administering antivenom after mamba bite Elkhart firefighter appeals loss of paramedic duties after nurse’s harassment complaint American Heart Association's 2025 CPR guidelines: Choking, opioids & survival chain Ill. city council makes $500 lift assist fee permanent Warren-Wentworth Ambulance shuts down after entire staff quits 'Shut the f**k up!': North Babylon Fire Chief Peter Alt on leave after video shows him cursing at patient Orange County fire chiefs demand removal of EMS director for halting blood transfusions, ketamine use Colo. paramedic charged with manslaughter after sedating, restraining man National EMS Advisory Council board members terminated Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest guests for an upcoming episode.

What do you do when someone on your team is struggling — and it’s on you to say something? In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive headfirst into one of leadership’s toughest challenges: holding people accountable without losing your humanity. This episode challenges leaders to ditch outdated progressive discipline models and start leading with clarity and empathy. Whether you’re a seasoned supervisor or new to the hot seat, this one hits home. And if you’ve been avoiding a conversation, consider this your nudge to stop choosing comfort over your own integrity. Quotable takeaways “Firing people with compassion, managing your ego, their ego, admitting mistakes and just being human — these are the places where real leaders show up.” “One of the things I try to teach is that I don't fire anybody — I just process the paperwork. People fire themselves.” “EMS is a very egotistical business, and it's that ego that keeps us from asking questions. Because we don't want to look like we don't know what we're talking about in front of our peers.” Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest a guest!

This week on the Inside EMS podcast, Dr. Peter Antevy returns for another round in the hot seat, and he’s not holding back. In this jam-packed episode, he and host Chris Cebollero tackle trending topics in prehospital care — from the expanding role of whole blood and plasma, to the frustrating gaps in the AHA’s 2025 guidelines. You’ll hear real-world success stories (like the cardiac arrest survivor who’s back on the tennis court), why dual sequential defibrillation (DSD) should already be your go-to, and the cost-benefit realities of starting a whole blood program. Dr. Antevy also dives into the science behind glycocalyx damage and how plasma could change how we treat sepsis, TBI and burns in the field. Whether you’re a medic, medical director or just passionate about pushing EMS forward, this episode delivers practical insight, bold opinions and a whole lot of inspiration. Quotable takeaways from Dr. Antevy “The medical establishment does not understand the value of what EMS brings to the table. They don't understand the complexity.” “When we said, ‘We'll do the whole blood,’ what did the surgeons do? They went up in arms: ‘What do you mean you're giving whole blood? Bring them to us. We'll give the whole blood.’ No, no, no. We are part of the chain of survival, too.” “EMS is a subspecialty in the house of medicine. We all need to rise up to make the hospital folks and the academics aware that EMS is important for trauma, for stroke, for pediatrics, for cardiac. We are the ones who can help bring up those outcomes and that's why I love this field.” Additional resources: AHA 2025 updates are here: Cue the overreactions and the protocol rewrites On-demand: Bringing whole blood to the front lines of EMS Stop the bleed, fill the tank – The New Orleans EMS blood program Whole blood in EMS promises a revolution in resuscitation Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest a guest for a future episode.

Let’s face it — most discussions on leadership sound like someone regurgitating a business best seller. Not this time. In this week’s episode of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson get real about the six leadership habits that actually matter when you're running a shift, a truck or a team that relies on each other not to screw it up. This isn’t about titles, org charts or leadership flavor-of-the-month. We’re talking self-awareness, collaboration and adaptability — the stuff that separates real-deal leaders from clipboard-holding disasters. Whether you’re trying to step up or just sick of bad leadership, this episode’s got what you need to lead better — without the cringe. Memorable quotes “What I can't stand in a leader is someone who waffles and is just blown by the wind. I would much rather have somebody say, ‘This is what we're gonna do.’ And then after, ‘Ooh, that was a bad idea. I'm sorry for that. That's on me.’” “If the team's confused, it's not a team problem. It's a leadership problem.” “Leaders who don’t know themselves lead through ego and insecurity.” Enjoying Inside EMS? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback.

This week on the Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dig into a hot-button issue lighting up EMS forums: DUI blood draws by paramedics. In Vanderburgh County, Indiana, a new program lets fire department medics perform evidentiary blood draws at the request of law enforcement — right on scene, even if the suspect isn’t being transported. Supporters say it’s efficient; critics say it’s unethical. The hosts share their own history with blood draws in the field and reflect on how their professional philosophies have evolved. It’s a passionate, no-holds-barred conversation about legal gray zones, moral boundaries, patient advocacy, operational burdens and the blurry line between healthcare and law enforcement. Spoiler: There’s no easy answer. But if your agency is considering such a program, this episode is required listening. Memorable quotes “My job is to do medical care, period, end of file. Quite often in doing my job, I make the point, ‘Hey, I'm not a cop, man. You can trust me.’” “There's a moral dilemma there. Are we caregivers or are we evidence collectors?” “Even if the laws permitted me to do so for one reason and one reason only, it's very hard to shift from a caregiver mindset to a defensive mindset.” Enjoying the show? Email theshow@ems1.com to share feedback or suggest a guest for an upcoming episode.