EMS Today

The Handoff Roundtable

On this week’s episode of the EMS Handoff, Bradley Dean and David Blevins take on multiple topics affecting EMS in today’s environment. From the proliferation of Monkeypox in the United States to the recently posted position from the NREMT on Accreditation, and lastly, retention efforts in EMS, Bradley and David take on these controversial topics to bring some conversational discussion. We would love to hear your feedback on these topics. 

Show Highlights:

• Monkeypox threat and guidance
• NREMT Resolution 22-Resolution-13 on accreditation requirement
• Retention and leadership

Don’t forget to go by our website at www.emshandoff.com or reach out to us on our Facebook pages. 

What’s a Tactical Medic?

On this week’s episode of The EMS Handoff Podcast, hosts Bradley Dean and David Blevins get back in the Handoff Media Studios for another episode after an extensive break. They welcome Mr. D. Todd Spence, 911 director, paramedic, and author of the book, “What’s a Tactical Medic,” available from Amazon and on Kindle.

During this episode, we talk with Mr. Spence about his process for writing the book, and how he has used it to help educate the community of what is EMS and specifically what is tactical medicine. Over his long career, he had many experiences and his kids knew what he did, but they did not understand it. By creating this book, he was able to let them know, and make an impact on the community. We then go into how to jump into projects like this if you have something that will help the community. 

Show Highlights:

• Putting pen to paper. The process for putting a project in motion.
• How to interact with the community and enhance the understanding of what is EMS
• Expanding your career into areas such as tactical medicine.

Contact with D. Todd Spence

• themedictodd.com
• Facebook @themedictodd

Resources:

• “What’s a Tactical Medic” by D. Todd Spence. Available in Hard copy of electronic at Amazon and Kindle.

Mobile Medicine in Rural Areas

Technologist Jonathon Feit has often said that the greatest innovations serving Mobile Medicine (Fire & EMS) come from rural spaces. The most obviously reason, perhaps, is that agencies have fewer resources to begin with, and it takes longer for their neighbors to arrive on-scene, therefore they have no choice but to learn how to do more for themselves.

This has always been the hallmark of those who live and work where the wild spirit of self-reliance abides. But there is something else, too: big skies, clean air, and the ability to better afford life and spend less time in traffic tend to attract those who need to be able to afford aspects of life that would be impossible where the norm is sitting in traffic going back-and-forth from long hours in an office: for example, the time to care for a child or parent who is seriously ill or disabled and need more regular attention.

For this reason, while they have fewer available resources that most cities, countrysides tend to attract a higher concentration of people who themselves — or whose parents or children — are more likely to need emergency healthcare. That sets up a Catch-22 and an important risk of health inequity that rural Mobile Medical agencies navigate around the clock. Reuben Farnsworth, who spearheaded Community Paramedicine, ET3, and other specialty care programs at Colorado’s Delta County Ambulance District — an agency that has won statewide honors, including as the first ambulance service to interoperate with the Quality Health Network health information exchange and local hospitals — will explain how a data — and economics-centric management style has powered his service’s success, from clinical medicine, to education and policy development, to advancing legislative priorities with partners.

The EMS Challenges of Israel’s Highway 90

In this episode, Dov and Raphael take an in-depth look into the challenges presented to first responders by one of Israel's deadliest highways, the Jordan Valley Highway, otherwise known as Highway 90.  

Peter Evers

Fire Captain Pete Evers shares his story of 30 years of experience catching up to him after retirement and how he started his mental health journey with therapy dogs. Pete is very involved in the non-profit organization 4Paws2Freedom. He currently has a therapy dog sponsored through this organization and encourages his fellow first responders to consider this resource and make mental health a priority.

The Syphilis Epidemic

Infection control expert Katherine West explains what needs to be done to eliminate syphilis in the United States.

Education, Leadership and Accountability

Eric Chase talks with Adam Culbertson, fire/EMS coordinator of Edgecombe (NC) Community College. Joining them are instructors Sara Lewis and Gabby Robinson, lieutenants with Edgecombe County EMS, NC. They talk about education, leadership, accountability, patience, love and more.

An Ode to the Unsung Heroes of EMS, the Families of First Responders

In this episode, Dov and Raphael talk about how important it is for first responders to honor and get support from our families.

Radical Transparency and Vulnerability

A Marine combat veteran and current law enforcement officer shares various stories of impulsivity and struggle about his journey to get to where he is now.

Don’t Be Rambo

In today's episode, Dov and Raphael get into the issues surrounding the desire of all first responders to do everything that they can to help -- sometimes too much. The episode includes a harrowing personal story from Dov's past where his rig was involved in a serious accident that left the patient hanging, literally, and Dov had to treat his own crew members.