EMS Office Hours

A lot was unpacked on this episode. We chat about when is it OK to grab that first cup of Java? Plus we would be remiss if we didn't talk about the recent EMS providers charge with murder in IL. Watch this show or listen below. Get your FREE Responder membership to study and review […]

Ever wonder what other EMS professionals want from their career? Is it inline with your desires or concerns in EMS?

The recent NREMT resolution to change eligibility requirements has brought on a variety of opinions, and of course, what would EMS Office Hours be without an opinion of our own?

No more EMS skill sheets How ever will we evaluate EMS candidates and ensure their success in class, on exams and in the field? This episode of EMS Office Hours talks about this and more like EMS Week and why the do we keep up that farce?

Remember that violent patient manikin in EMT class? Or what about the simulated patient under arrest? Yeah, most EMT courses stick to the basics and rarely present students with a violent patient or patient in custody scenario.  It's hard to do and time is often limited in class. So instructors have to stick with the […]

With high EMS call volumes, low acuity calls, long ED waits and patient just plain looking to avoid the ED altogether. New mobile urgent care units bring the Dr, nurse, PA or EMT to your home. Offering treatments for asthma, COPD, minor injuries, ECG's, IV's, kidney stones and even COVID tests. Will this help or […]

When people call 911 and then request transport to a specific hospital. Should EMS honor that request?  Or should we transport to the closest appropriate facility based on the patients signs, symptoms and our suspected clinical picture of the patient? In NYC they have attempted to take away the choice of facility for a patient  due to […]

What do you do when your partner just doesn't want to follow the rules or when your agency turns a blind eye to it?  This episode Dave, Jim and Josh talk about dealing with rule breaking partners agencies that let it happen and the back in the day mindset of EMS. Free Membership===> Turbo Medic Insider.  […]

EMS personnel shortage. Is there a shortage of people or pay? Is the answer more education? Take a listen to this age ole EMS conundrum below. Free Membership===> Turbo Medic Insider.  Get a variety of study and review resources to help you pass exams, master content and be better at EMS Yes, I Want To Be […]

This episode asks: When a patient says “I can't breathe” How can we tell if they are telling the truth? Should that even be part of the assessment? Plus… Being eased into 911 or thrown in the deep end. Which is better? What to do when you're in a self taught EMS program Take a listen: […]

On episode “this one”: Quitting and failing is easy, EMS classes are not. That's a good thing. Flipping the classroom The NY EMT having to take full recertifications because paperwork wasn't in on time? Take a listen below Free Membership===> Turbo Medic Insider.  Get a variety of study and review resources to help you pass exams, […]

Been seeing some news about EMS providers being charged criminally for medication errors. Will providers start thinking twice before giving a treatment if they don't have too? This and tips on treating transgender patients. Do we really need them? Take a listen below Free Membership===> Turbo Medic Insider.  Get a variety of study and review resources […]

I wanted to share this NREMT exam struggle story on passing the NREMT.  One of my coaching students thought they knew it all. But when his classmates where moving ahead he was stuck behind and feeling like he was being laughed at.  True of not, it can be very unsettling when you feel your peers […]

Just did an interview with Lights Cameras Action and we talked about a variety of topics including: The EMS testing environment The importance of call reviews (even lift assists) How to be prepared for potential opportunities when they come up. Not while they happen Jim's 9/11 experience Plus more, including some inside takes on TM […]

When you are off duty, what would you respond to? Would you help the “disheveled person lying on the sidewalk?” What is your off duty story? Watch the video or listen below.  Free Membership===> Turbo Medic Insider.  Get a variety of study and review resources to help you pass exams, master content and be better at […]

Dave, Jim and Josh talk about a method some instructors use to help their students even though the student probably thinks otherwise. Plus why bathroom breaks in EMS are different. Watch the video or just listen here: Free Membership===> Turbo Medic Insider.  Get a variety of study and review resources to help you pass exams, master […]

You can thank your instructor later. When your EMS instructor makes that scenario too difficult. They likely aren't trying to make you look bad.  More often, they are trying to prepare you for the inevitable.  Free Membership===> Turbo Medic Insider.  Get a variety of study and review resources to help you pass exams, master content and […]

EMS attracts people from many different backgrounds and cultures. It also seems to know no age limit. But when is it too old to get into the EMS field? How about too old to be in or stay in EMS? Like many things in EMS you will get various answers and opinions on this. So […]

I did this quick review on a couple of key subjects in EMS you should consider when assessing your patients and the possibility of a vascular leakage issue. Be back soon with a full episode and guests.

Is being in EMS as a part time job a good idea? Not talking about volunteers really. But the accountant or car repair tech that decides EMS is a good PT opportunity. Does this hurt the profession? Or even the organizations they work for. Listen in and give us your feedback on this

On episode “this one” Jim, Dave and Josh talk about the growing changes in EMS since the pandemic began. Working in mobile units, ED overflows, giving vaccines and now working with mental health professionals as part of non emergent response. Plus the increased role Community Paramedics are also playing to help provide better care and […]

This episode of the podcast is joined by Paramedic Matthew Monahemi, one of the founders of MURU. This new app is focused on the EMS provider. Super easy to use and the best part? It is tailored to you the user. Watch this episode to see how this all got started and get an inside […]

This first episode of 2021 is a bit of a change up for us. But we wanted to take a moment and give some tips and advice for your personal use. So many EMS professionals live paycheck to paycheck and never plan for retirement, injury or even a career change. Disability is not the new […]

Everything in EMS isn’t negative. If you just think of what may be simple like ABC’s. There is so much that encompasses that. You should be proud and acknowledge yourself for having that knowledge and privilege to apply it. This was a fun episode and important to point out all we do everyday in EMS. […]

What if Family Feud asked this question of EMS? “Name something you thought you were going to do at work today but didn’t” Plus – adult vs pediatric BVM use and how old is too old in EMS? See the article on BVM use talked about in the show here.  Get the EMS Quick Study […]

This episode of the show we talk about EMS drones, how to deal with a messy truck (aka – bus, ambulance etc.) , refusals and reality. Find out how to get your free copy of the EMS Quick Study Guide.  I’ll even cover shipping. See why here. 

Take a listen Get your copy of Walters book here

This episode of the show we are joined by Dr Paul Louis who has created a new device to help keep healthcare professionals safe when treating patients during a respiratory pandemic.  Check out the Aerosoless Medical website here Listen to the audio here Claim the NYC EMS Challenge Coin. “The Tip Of The Spear”. Click […]

This episode talks about using medical technology on EMS calls. Whether it’s yours or the patients. The question is “Do you or should you trust the tech?” Take a listen

… Said no one in EMS ever. This episode of the show talks about the idea that social workers should be responding to EMS psychiatric calls instead of law enforcement. Great for LE (we all know they hate those calls anyway). But bad for EMS. Plus we talk about that age ole topic of EMS […]

I jumped on with Thomas Perkins who is part of the Frontline Heroes Project and we talked about Back An EMS Hero. This effort is geared to help EMS professionals using a simple method of paying it forward. Thomas talked about the goals and challenges faced as well as the positive effects of the weekly […]

If you ever thought that picking a lock as an EMS professional is something you would never do. This episode so for you. Pat Watson joins Jim on this episode and talks about tactical lock picking, being prepared and using techniques that can get you access to patients or get YOU out of places without […]

Have you ever made a mistake as an EMT or Paramedic? Ever felt burnt out? This episode of the podcast talks about some of Jim’s and Josh’s mistakes and how Jim avoided burnout many years ago. Plus how mistakes are best handled not if, but when you make them. Listen here Become a Turbo Medic […]

This episode of the show talks about the upcoming cuts to EMS by FDNY, the importance of knowing your patients DNA (or not) and the time you pronounced that patient dead but the funeral home got the ROSC credit. Listen here Claim the NYC EMS Challenge Coin. “The Tip Of The Spear”. Click here. 

It seems since COVID started we keep seeing articles and reports by news and social media about how little EMT’s and Paramedics get paid.  Why is it such a surprise? Looking at NYC and FDNY providers, it was reported that most members have to work 2, 3 or even 4 jobs to pay their bills.  […]

After watching a video news article on the FDNY response to EMS members and their struggles with mental health during the COVID 19 Pandemic. We decided to talk about the lack of support that seems to be offered to EMS professionals after events like COVID. Is this anything new? The mentality of suck it up […]

This was a Facebook Live version of the show and we talk about patients requesting specific hospitals and sick vs, very sick. Watch it below Listen here Become a Turbo Medic Insider and get even more valuable study resources. It’s free to join here. 

On episode # “This One” I am joined by Stacee from the popular Lights Sirens Action on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. This was an engaging episode and we talked about giving quick actionable tips for EMS professionals, content production for EMS in social media and the goals that social media producers like myself and […]

This episode I am joined by the creator of the popular EMS instagram group @ems_universe. We talk about variety of topics including volunteers, social media, education and getting EMS back together. This was a great show I am sure you will enjoy. Check out the EMS Universe Instagram page here Join me on Instagram here […]

As the pandemic curve begins to flatten. We have to consider all that has changed for EMS during the crisis and what will be the new normal for EMS going forward the next few months and beyond. Will it be back to business as usual or will some elements of change that should have been […]

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, NYS Department of Health EMS put a new protocol out on the triage, treatment and transport of Cardiac Arrest Patients. NYC FDNY then over ruled the protocol. Why? The NYS guideline is geared toward EMS provider safety and FDNY has decided what appears to be otherwise. Take a listen here and you […]

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The stress on EMS agencies keeps growing. Especially in hot areas like NY and NJ. Dr Ken Lavelle who is an Emergency Medicine Clinic Instructor and Medical Director for several agencies in NJ and PA, joins Jim on this episode to discuss changes he made to local EMS protocols to […]

With the healthcare profession under siege from the COVID-19 pandemic, we need more professionals providing care now. But what is the best way to get providers out into the workforce? The NREMT made an attempt to get new providers out there but maybe just too weak of an attempt. Are there better ways? Jim and […]

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Dangers to EMS professionals increase, protocols for our response keep changing and the personal decision to potential exposure is becoming a reality some may not be able to ignore. EMS provider age, previous medical conditions and even family situations are playing a bigger part each day. This episode talks about […]

When you are a new EMT or paramedic at an agency its hard. You don’t yet have your own “flow” just yet and you tend to fall back on your textbook type approach to patients. While there is nothing wrong with that. You also must start to take cues from your experienced partners and co-workers. […]

The spread and handling of Coronavirus patients and potential threat to providers is a serious and real. This episode highlights other coronavirus contacts and how EMS sometimes has to deal with this element of the job. This is a story of a patient claiming to have it and the patience and resources needed to handle […]

Quick podcast for EMT and paramedic students. Great tips on surviving ambulance rotations. Ideas on how to get the most from your experience.   Be sure to get my new EMS Differential Diagnosis Guide. Its a FREE download here.  

After over 40 years of providing EMS services in NJ. MONOC is closing it’s doors. You can read the official reasons behind this here.   This episode I am joined by Michael Welsh. Make is a long time employee at MONOC and he gives his take on the closing and the challenges faced by himself […]

This week the crew talks about community paramedic programs. Do they work, are they for EMS and is there a better approach to handling 911 overload? What’s your take?       Be sure to get my new EMS Differential Diagnosis Guide. Its a FREE download here.

During this lively episode Jim, Dave and Josh discuss EMS staffing with an EMT/Driver, an EMS first as a new EMT and touch on effective CPR compression/depth ratio. Yeah this one was a little scattered but hey, thats why it’s called Office Hours. Anything goes. Listen below and please rate and review.  Be sure to […]

This episode is the beginning of a series of shows focused on EMS firsts. I hope to get more engagement as we go forward and get other EMS professionals on to share their stories of calls, partners, skills and exams. By sharing we can help recognize our own struggles and pass on the lessons to […]