EMS Today

Tom Yahnke

Battalion Chief (Ret.) Tom Yahnke joins the podcast to discuss peer support teams. We discuss the importance of peer support teams, the difference between peer support and EAP, and what makes a good peer support team member. We also discuss the life-altering incident he experienced on a fire and how peer support, if available at that time, may have helped him avoid some of the problems he encountered trying to deal with that incident.

Seeking Sustainability and Positive Change

Eric Chase and Brett Lyle have a conversation to help us prepare our minds for the New Year. Let's share positive, contagious growth and development with accountability.

Staffing and Education

JEMS Editor-in-Chief Dr. Ted Lee speaks with T. Ryan Mayfield and Andrew Pearson of Hennepin EMS on how the agency is addressing its staffing shortage and empowering its education program.

Listen to Part 1 here.

Friday Night Lights: Shift 7 – The Positive-Pressure Vise

You are dispatched to a pedestrian struck approximately seven blocks away at an off the beaten path intersection. You hop in the rig look over to your partner and voice your satisfaction with tonight‘s dinner choice. They nod in agreement and also highlight the fact you both were able to finish uninterrupted.

It’s an uneventful response and you arrive on scene to find what appears to be a male lying in the roadway. There is a minivan next to the patient with the headlights shining over where they’re lying. You see the patient moving their arms and legs ever so slightly and a group of people around them trying to talk to him.

Read the full article on EMS Airway.

The State of EMS in The State of Indiana

EMS P.O.D. host Doug Randell discusses the EMS Commission in Indiana, the gubernatorial-appointed group that advises EMS on issues that affect EMS in the State of Indiana. 

Moving Mountains: Hurricane Helene in WNC

In late September of this year, Hurricane Helene struck the mountains of Western North Carolina, bringing devastating flooding, mudslides and damage to the area. Host John Sammons is joined by Paramedic Garry Pomerleau to talk about his experience during and after the storm as not only a responder, but a resident of the area. You can read his article in JEMS as well.

Beyond Epinephrine: The Future of CPR with Ultrasound and Esmolol

After six doses of epinephrine, it may be too late for the CPR patient. Emergency physicians Dr. Zachary Boivin and Dr. Trent She, both from Connecticut, discussed their recent study entitled "Epinephrine in Cardiac Arrest: Identifying a Potential Limit for Resuscitation."¹ This research sought to determine if there is a ceiling to the effective use of Epinephrine during resuscitation.

Peter Antevy, MD, who created the Handtevy System, a software-based pediatric resuscitation method and bag system is also an EMS Physician for Palm Beach County (FL) Fire Rescue and he made a post on LinkedIn advocating for abolishing Epinephrine in shockable rhythm protocols. He posts about how his protocol does not follow standard AHA guidelines at Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and their plan for ventricular fibrillation is to use esmolol, but no Epinephrine.

References

1. Boivin, Z., Duignan, K. M., Doko, D., Pugliese, N., & She, T. (2023). Epinephrine in Cardiac Arrest: Identifying a Potential Limit for Resuscitation. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 24(6), 1025.

What to Know about Pertussis

It appears that Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers – Lassa Fever, Ebola and Marburg virus are getting all the press. However, Pertussis (whooping cough) is an area that needs focus.

The cases for 2024 are at least four-times higher than in 2023, and many departments have not offered the required Tdap booster to protect healthcare personnel.

An additional dose of Tdap was first recommended in 2005 and then again in 2011. Pertussis is not on the radar, and we need to ensure that healthcare providers are protected. This session addresses vaccine, personal protective equipment and post-exposure medical follow up.

Recruiting and Retaining Veterans

JEMS Editor-in-Chief Dr. Ted Lee speaks with Global Medical Response’s Natalie Jobst about training veterans for EMS careers.

Coffee with Veterans

Every month, North American Rescue (NAR) hosts a unique event called "Coffee with Veterans and First Responders." This initiative, now in its fifth year, offers a valuable space for local heroes to connect, network and discover new career opportunities.

Led by Anna Harris, a veteran and the director of Human Chemistry and Talent at NAR, Coffee with Veterans aims to bridge the gap between veterans and first responders and the civilian job market. With many NAR team members hailing from military and first responder backgrounds, this program is a personal passion for the company.