Okay, so it’s a few days late, but I’ll been ill and swamped with other responsibilities, so I’m just now getting this up: Bad kilted Ambulance Driver! BAD! That’s $1,015 raised in the first 10 days, not counting un-credited donations to Hurricane Harvey charities. Well behind last year’s pace, but considering everyone is probably suffering a bit of compassion fatigue ...
Read More »Kilted To Kick Cancer 2017 Begins On a Somber Note
The 2017 Kilted To Kick Cancer Fundraising Challenge begins Thursday at midnight, little more than 36 hours from now. As we’ve done since 2011, we spend the month of September wearing kilts, and using that as our conversation starter to raise awareness for male specific cancers. KTKC is a labor of love for us; we donate well over 90% of ...
Read More »Inside EMS Podcast: Incentivizing EMS Volunteers
In this week’s episode of Inside EMS, co-host Chris Cebollero and I discuss a couple of news articles in which one EMS agency had to write off nearly $12 million in unpaid bills, and how one volunteer department is trying to incentivize volunteers with tax credits. College tuition waivers at state universities or health insurance for squad members are other ...
Read More »Inside EMS Podcast: Carfentanil Cooties
In this week’s episode of Inside EMS, co-host Chris Cebollero and I welcome Dr. David Tan, President-Elect of NAEMSP, to talk about his organization’s endorsement of the latest guidance from the American College of Medical Toxicology and the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology on occupational exposure to fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. That document, in addition to being endorsed by NAEMSP, ...
Read More »Inside EMS Podcast: NASEMSO Scope of Practice Draft
In this week’s episode of Inside EMS, co-host Chris Cebollero and I discuss the invitation to submit comments on the draft NASEMSO EMS Scope of Practice, and what it bodes for the future of EMS. Most everyone is freaking out over the comment requesting exclusion of endotracheal intubation from the paramedic scope (and most can’t articulate a logical reason why, ...
Read More »Inside EMS Podcast: Skill Degradation
Is there such a thing as skill dilution and rust-out? Do our EMS skills degrade with lack of use, and why do some people seem immune to it? Check out the Inside EMS podcast to hear our thoughts, and share with us your own!
Read More »Kilted to Kick Cancer 2017 Starts in Thirty Days!
Prize packages will be announced soon! All fundraisers who were in the Fundraising Challenge last year are automatically carried forward to this year. If you’re a newbie and want to join us raising funds for cancer research, just drop me a line! In the meantime, iron your kilts, prep your message, and get ready to spread the word! Get Kilted, ...
Read More »Inside EMS Podcast: What’s the Ideal EMS System?
In this week’s episode of Inside EMS, co-host Chris Cebollero and I debate what would be the ideal EMS system. Chris thinks it’s a tiered response BLS system with ALS intercepts. I agree… except that I think he’s got it backwards. Give us a listen, and tell us what you think!
Read More »An Ode to the EMS Whacker
You’ve probably seen him wandering the exhibit hall at an EMS conference, or sat next to him in a lecture. He’s wearing a uniform shirt or jumpsuit from his volunteer agency, complete with Minitor pager, at least 100 miles from home. And he’s got the Batman belt and trauma shears on his uniform pants, because you never know when you’ll ...
Read More »For You EMS Types…
… there’s a new column up on EMS1. Ignorance and Apathy in EMS Providers Read, enjoy, comment.
Read More »Inside EMS Podcast: Lives Before Lunch?
In this week’s episode of Inside EMS, co-host Chris Cebollero and I discuss California bill AB263, the so-called EMS Workers Bill of Rights. The bill proposes to guarantee EMS workers dedicated meal and rest breaks during their shifts, proposes additional protections against on-duty assault, and greater access to mental health support. American Medical Response, one of the largest EMS providers ...
Read More »Alexa, What’s the Dose for Bicarb?
In this week’s episode of Inside EMS, Chris Cebollero and I welcome EMS1 Editor In Chief Greg Friese to the show to talk about technological advances in EMS. Inside EMS Podcast: Does EMS need voice-activated technology? With things like video laryngoscopy and prehospital point-of-care ultrasound, we think we’re well along the technology curve, but are we really fully integrating technology ...
Read More »EMS World Magazine: Status Asthmaticus
Gene Gandy, Jason Kodat and I have some advice in this month’s issue of EMS World Magazine: In a prolonged asthma attack, start at the end. Give it a read, let us know what you think.
Read More »Leavin’ On a Jet Plane…
Where’s Ambulance Driver next, you ask? Next stop on the summer leg of Ambulance Driver’s 2017 World Tour is the Connecticut EMS Expo at the Mohegan Sun Casino Resort in Uncasville, CT. I’ll be giving a few talks, and signing books from 12:00 -2:00 on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 at the Code Green Campaign booth in the ...
Read More »The Virtual Classroom: Lessons Learned
Some dude you know has a new article in the Spring 2017 edition of Paramedic Chief. Check it out online, the article entitled “Virtual EMS Education: Growing Pains and Lessons Learned.” While you’re at it, check out the other excellent articles in there by Greg Friese, Doug Wyllie, Nathan Stanaway, and others.
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