First on Scene

When a man collapses during a workout at Planet Fitness, a paramedic happens to be working out at the same time, not to mention the fire crew across the street. This is the story of a group of first responders who are always ready to respond and the fortunate confluence of events that saved a man's life.

Boston EMS noticed there was an overwhelming number of calls in certain areas and many didn't require ambulance transports to the hospital. So Squad 80 was born. A group of specialized responders to who could do more with less.

When a man was bitten by a shark while swimming off Cape Cod, there was only one way to get him to a trauma center quickly enough -- in a helicopter. Boston Medflight, a non-profit organization, was called in to fly the victim directly to Boston as an ambulance couldn't navigate the Cape's congested roads quickly enough.

In conjunction with National Police Week (May 12-18), we brought in Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross to discuss first responders and how the Boston Police Department is growing and changing. Join us for a discussion of how these officials are working with and for the police in Boston.

Cheryl Ames wasn't going to marry a police officer. But when she fell in love with an accountant, she had no choice but to support his dream of becoming a police officer. This is the story of how she wishes he had more support than only she could give. You can read more about this issue at https://Boston25.com/badge

The Bruins are in the playoffs and we brought in former player and president of the Boston Bruins Foundation Bob Sweeney to chat about his connection to first responders and why he goes out of his way to help those in the line of duty.

The odds of surviving a heart attack outside a hospital are very low, but a group of first responders in Topsfield were able to bring one man back from cardiac arrest -- three times. 

When a first responder lives in the town where he or she works, calls can be personal. This is a story of sad circumstances. Send us an email to let us know what you think of this show: FirstonScene@Boston25.com. Please rate, review and subscribe to help others find the show.

When a fishing boat goes down in 30-foot waves off the coast of Maine, four fishermen are left adrift on a liferaft. A Coast Guard helicopter races to their signal and it's up to Petty Officer Mike Kelly to dive into the water, swim to the raft and get those men out alive.

Business as usual turns into déjà vu for a paramedic in Holden, Massachusetts when labor progresses more quickly than two couples anticipated. Rob Nickerson, a jack of all trades when it comes to his first responder duties, sits down with Blair Miller to talk about why carrying two kits is important.

Boston EMS crews carry a carbon monoxide detector on their gear. The detectors can turn even routine runs into a massive evacuation. Deputy Superintendent of Boston EMS Ed Hassan joins Blair Miller to discuss the impact of these tools and the danger posed by carbon monoxide fumes.

When a 911 call is silent, it's up to dispatchers to call back and find out if someone is in need of help. In this case, a man stuck in the back of a garbage truck was in serious trouble as the compactor crushed his body again and again. It was up to dispatch to get him on the phone, it was up to police to find him, it was up to firefighters to rescue him and it was up to paramedics to save him. This is the story of a true team effort.

The first person you speak to in an emergency when you call for help is usually a dispatcher. Someone who gets the people you need where they need to be. In this episode, we talk with Dawn Heirholcer from Brewster Ambulance about a call she will never forget and the things she says to people to keep them hanging on.

From Boston 25 News, First on Scene is a new podcast all about the people who run toward danger and become heroes in our darkest hours. Host Blair Miller sits down for in-depth conversations with first responders to talk about the things they see every day.