EMS One-Stop

• NEMSAC dismantled: Inside the fallout shaking federal EMS policy

  This breaking-news edition of EMS One-Stop dives straight into the announcement that the National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) has been dissolved. Host Rob Lawrence is joined by Dr. Brandon Morshedi (NEMSAC chair-elect) and Brenden Hayden (immediate past chair), who explain what NEMSAC is, what it achieved and why its sudden dismissal has left the EMS community frustrated, concerned and searching for answers. Together, they outline the role of NEMSAC as the sole statutory advisory body connecting EMS to the federal executive branch, describe the hundreds of volunteer hours that went into shaping advisories, and discuss what happens now that years of hard work and documents have been pulled from EMS.gov. This episode sets the record straight, provides a clear explainer of the process, and captures the disappointment — yet determination — of leaders committed to moving EMS forward despite this setback. Additional resources: How NEMSAC is composed — who sits on the council and what types of expertise are represented The NEMSAC’s statutory role advice/briefings at the federal level NEMSAC’s key accomplishments Episode timeline 01:08 – Rob introduces the breaking news: NEMSAC dissolved 02:22 – What is NEMSAC? Brenden explains its statutory role 04:52 – How does NEMSAC differ from associations? Direct advisory to the executive branch 06:42 – Appointments, terms and how continuity usually worked 08:44 – The depth of work: meetings, subcommittees, advisories, letters 11:23 – Examples of major advisories and public comment process 14:27 – Shock: key advisories removed from EMS.gov 19:13 – Explainer: FICEMS and how advisories flow through federal government 26:25 – How members felt when dismissal was announced 30:18 – What happens to unfinished advisories and research 34:20 – Associations’ role in keeping the work alive 35:50 – The advisory each guest is most proud of 39:41 – Lessons learned: influence, unified voice, process 43:25 – Final reflections: leadership, advocacy, and what comes next Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share feedback or suggest guests for a future episode. 

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• CAAS GVS 4.0: Building safer, smarter and theft-proof ambulances

  In this episode of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence climbs back onto his soapbox to discuss two topics that directly impact on every EMS agency in America — the CAAS Ground Vehicle Standards (GVS) 4.0 and the simple, inexpensive steps we can take to stop ambulance theft. Joining Rob is longtime EMS leader and current CAAS GVS Administrator Mark Postma, who walks us through the origins of the standards, their national adoption and what’s new in the latest update. From ambulance remounting, to structural safety testing, Mark explains how GVS 4.0 has evolved to keep pace with manufacturing realities, supply chain delays and operational needs. The conversation then shifts to a shared passion for protecting fleet assets. Rob and Mark dissect the shockingly frequent problem of ambulance theft and how a $200 automatic immobilization device can prevent a $250,000 vehicle from disappearing — without relying on crews to remember to lock it. Additional resources: CAAS GVS V4.0 – Ground Vehicle Standard Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS) – The New Standard in Mobile Healthcare Ambulance thefts in the U.S. surge: Over 40 stolen rigs in 18 months 6 ways to safety-proof your EMS fleet Memorable quotes "It’s no good going to City Council or to your board of directors on day 365 and saying, ‘I need a new truck for New Year day one’ — that’s not going to happen." — Rob Lawrence "The ground vehicle standard has become the standard that most vehicles are being built to and that state EMS officials are using." — Mark Postma "We spend a lot of time thinking about where things go in the box … add one more thing to your checklist: can the vehicle indeed be immobilized?" — Rob Lawrence "There’s just no reason why ambulances are being stolen with the current technology that’s out there." — Mark Postma Episode timeline 00:45 – Rob introduces the topic: GVS 4.0 and ambulance theft concerns 01:34 – Mark introduction and CAAS GVS role 04:11 – How the CAAS standards were developed and adopted by 35-plus states 06:09 – Comparing CAAS GVS to NFPA ambulance standards 06:48 – The rise of remounting, especially during COVID supply shortages 10:26 – Discussion of ongoing vehicle delivery delays and need for replacement planning 15:04 – What’s new in GVS 4.0 — major changes and safety structure updates 19:38 – Ambulance theft statistics and the GVS anti-theft requirement 22:28 – Automatic immobilization and why manual systems fail 23:57 – Mark shares success story: zero thefts since installing devices 26:17 – Exceptions in standards and why state inspectors must enforce anti-theft 27:42 – Final thoughts on making anti-theft part of fleet planning Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share feedback and suggest future guests. 

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• Public health at the front door: An MIH model to emulate

  In this edition of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence Zooms (literally) from the U.K. to South Carolina to spotlight one of the nation’s most forward-thinking mobile integrated healthcare programs. Prisma Health’s team has taken community paramedicine beyond buzzwords, designing targeted, evidence-based programs that meet people where they are — both geographically and medically. | MORE: How North Dakota EMS is confronting rising pediatric mental health crises  Whether it's addiction medicine, rural HIV/HCV treatment or skilled nursing interventions, this team is shifting paradigms on what EMS can and should be doing. Rob is joined by four key voices from the Prisma Health MIH program: Luke Estes, director of MIH Dr. Mirinda Gormley, epidemiologist and biostatistician Wes Wampler, community paramedic specializing in addiction and infectious disease Parker Bailes, community paramedic and research contributor Together, they unpack how passion meets data to drive change, how to earn trust in communities overlooked by traditional systems, and why this work isn’t just novel — it’s necessary. This is EMS in its truest public health form. Memorable quotes “You delivered the goods—data-driven, community-connected care — and that’s what EMS in 2025 needs more of.” — Rob Lawrence “When you see some of your people who have a passion for a certain pathway in EMS, you try to give them the reins and say, you're gonna do some good.” — Luke Estes “One of the big things that we learned from his study was that we really needed to go out and make sure everybody was aware that addiction is a disease.” — Mirinda Gormley “If we can gain their trust, there’s a lot more that we can kind of weasel our way into to help them solve and get them on a healthier trajectory.” — Wes Wampler “Walking into the (care) facility with the mindset of, ‘I'm going to do everything I can to keep you here,’ was a big shift for me.” — Parker Bailes “If we can set them up to be successful after they leave the hospital, I think that's the best way to get them reengaged with the hospital.” — Wes Wampler “As their leader … all I have to say is, what do you need? I'm here to support you.” — Luke Estes Additional resources EMS Clinician Perceptions on Prehospital Buprenorphine Administration Programs: Prehospital Emergency Care: Vol 29 , No 4 Implementation Barriers of Prehospital Buprenorphine Administration Programs in the United States: A Scoping Review: Prehospital Emergency Care: Vol 29 , No 4 Using Community Paramedicine to Treat Hepatitis C Virus in Upstate South Carolina - PMC Luke Estes BA, NRP, CCEMTP, PNCCT, FP-C, CP-C | LinkedIn Wesley Wampler | LinkedIn Support for harm reduction by community EMS How does a community re-imagine compassion to avoid crisis whenever possible? Breaking barriers: Hennepin EMS leads the way in safely implementing buprenorphine Episode timeline 00:51 ­– Introduction to Prisma Health MIH & guests 03:00 – Luke Estes overview of MIH models (ETS, SDOH, addiction) 05:00 – Dr. Gormley’s public health journey, data-opioid focus 08:00 – Buprenorphine pilot design and research outcomes 10:15 – Challenges: bias, stigma, barriers to addiction care 13:00 – Funding and sustainability conversation 14:00 – Wes Wampler on daily workflow in addiction medicine and HCV care 17:00 – Building trust with vulnerable populations 18:30 – Parker Bailes discusses traditional CP role and skilled nursing interventions 21:45 – Alternative destinations, lab draws and high-acuity decisions 25:30 – Training: internal education, ultrasound, medication management 28:15 – Prisma’s med school connection and disaster response evolution 30:00 – State-level partnerships: SC EMS Assn, FEMA typing, CP strike teams 31:56 – Academic next steps from Dr. Gormley: scaling, publishing, process evals 35:26 – Final reflections from Luke Estes: passion, team strength and mission 38:00 – Rob’s call to action: “If you want your own Prisma team — start now.” Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share feedback or suggest future guests. 

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• Meet the EMS Avenger: Saving lives with kindness and content

  In this high-impact edition of the EMS One-Stop podcast, host Rob Lawrence sits down with EMS influencer and educator Jimmy Apple, known widely across platforms as The EMS Avenger. With nearly 70,000 followers on TikTok and a growing presence on Instagram and Facebook, Jimmy has mastered the art of compressing complex clinical topics into digestible, engaging content. | More: What the EMS Counts Act means for dual-role EMS providers  In this conversation, Rob pulls back the curtain on the man behind the mobile screen — exploring Jimmy's journey from electrician to pediatric critical care paramedic, and now, one of EMS's most watched and listened-to voices. Listeners will gain deep insight into Jimmy’s origin story, his social media strategies, his refusal to let bad information go unchallenged, and his passionate belief that “Saving lives begins with kindness.” The pair also tackle: Content creation advice for EMS agencies The challenges of tone and accuracy in short-form video How to maintain compassion in the face of a toxic work culture This episode is part masterclass in communication, part call to action for the future of EMS — and all heart. Memorable quotes from Jimmy Apple: The EMS Avenger “Saving lives begins with kindness. That is my motto, it is my philosophy.” “You have to package something down to its bare essence … there's some nuance lost, but you have seconds to keep people's attention.” “My goals going forward are to support people who are acting in good faith while correcting the misinformation.” “Generally speaking, you will draw the engagement that you're looking for. If you're putting out content in good faith, you'll get good faith engagement.” “We are responsible for ourselves and how we respond … and I believe we need to respond to everything that is happening in the world today with kindness.” Episode timeline 00:54 – Rob introduces Jimmy Apple, aka the EMS Avenger 01:20 – Jimmy’s background: from electrician to EMS 03:30 – The grandfather conversation that changed his life 04:50 – How pathophysiology sparked a love for learning 05:40 – Birth of the EMS Avenger: from student favorite to TikTok influencer 06:55 – Ginger Locke’s advice that redirected Jimmy’s podcast path 08:04 – Compressing content: "from textbook to bumper sticker" 10:00 – The content hook: “Are we getting rid of normal saline?” 11:00 – How Jimmy selects topics: research, news, curiosity and requests 13:00 – Hot topics in EMS: cricothyrotomy, TXA, ketamine, provider safety 14:40 – Rob discusses EMSIntel.org and ambulance theft data 16:00 – Can EMS agencies do what Jimmy does? The risks and the realities 18:30 – "Stop the finger": creating content that captures attention 20:00 – Rob on the risks of public messaging and backlash 21:00 – Calling out misinformation: the line between education and shame 23:00 – Jimmy’s growing reach across TikTok, Instagram and Facebook 24:45 – Managing Facebook’s deeper comments and nuanced conversations 26:45 – Jimmy’s rule: “Engage only with good faith” 27:50 – Final thought: EMS must rediscover kindness 29:00 – Closing remarks and where to follow Jimmy Apple online Additional resources Connect with Jimmy Apple, better known as The EMS Avenger: TikTok — Jimmy offers short-form, evidence-based EMS content here: @emsavenger Instagram — Engage with in-depth reels, visuals, and professional updates: @emsavenger X (formerly Twitter) — Follow EMS commentary, conversation, and boosts: @EMSAvenger Facebook — Join the group for discussions and shared insights: EMS Avenger community Apple Podcasts — Listen to “EMS Avenger: 20 Minutes to Save the World”: Weekly podcast series AAA & AIMHI EMS Media Log: EMS Intel Enjoying the show? Contact the EMS One-Stop team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback.

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• Growing the next generation of changemakers in rural EMS

  In this special crossover edition of EMS One-Stop and The Bridge Podcast from the Kentucky Office of Rural Health, host Amelia Holliday leads the conversation, joined by Scott Helle, rural project manager at KORH; and Rob Lawrence, host of EMS One-Stop and EMS leader. Recorded live at the 2025 Kentucky EMS Leadership Academy, this episode explores the evolution, design and impact of the Leadership Academy on Kentucky’s rural EMS landscape. The discussion dives into the Academy’s origins, structure, statewide reach and its mission to prepare the next generation of EMS leaders in some of the most resource-challenged communities in the country. From the realities of low-volume, underfunded rural services, to the inspiring stories of leadership growth and resilience, this episode offers a thoughtful examination of the challenges facing EMS in Kentucky and beyond. Rob reflects on leadership principles drawn from his military and EMS career, while Scott provides a blueprint for how to build and sustain EMS talent in small communities. Together with Amelia’s thoughtful moderation, this episode highlights how mentorship, structured learning and network-building are transforming rural EMS leadership — one cohort at a time. Additional resources The Bridge Podcast (Contains additional discussion) Center of Excellence in Rural Health: Established to address health disparities in rural Kentucky Asking the big questions: Industry leaders weigh in on celebrating EMS Week amidst the forces shaping the EMS landscape Cultivating the next generation of EMS: Leadership development, emotional intelligence and the importance of mentorship Memorable quotes “We’re promoting people above their level of competency — not because they’re not good, but because we haven’t prepared them for what’s next.” — Rob Lawrence “We saw early on that EMS professionals were great at clinical care, but we were missing the leadership piece.” — Scott Helle “Effective communication is the core of good leadership. You can’t lead without it.” — Amelia Holliday “My six principles: pride, integrity, learning, humor, service and courage. They guide everything I do.” — Rob Lawrence “It costs money to build people. That’s why we provide this Academy at no cost to participants.” — Scott Helle “It’s hard to run EMS in a state where many counties don’t even have a tax base to support it.” — Scott Helle “You’re always leading. Once you start, it never stops. People are always watching and listening.” — Rob Lawrence “We’re not just building leaders — we’re building mentors, networks and future change-makers.” — Scott Helle “Nobody becomes a good leader because they want power. The best leaders are those who understand the responsibility.” — Amelia Holliday Episode timeline 00:18 – Introduction to the Kentucky Leadership Academy and crossover with The Bridge Podcast 02:29 – How the Academy was formed and why it was needed 05:00 – Structure of the Academy, application process and regional representation 08:11 – EMS 2050, developing next-gen leaders, and avoiding the Peter Principle 11:00 – The importance of non-clinical leadership education 13:36 – Funding challenges in rural EMS, tax base realities and sustainable operations 17:41 – Rural EMS dynamics, local politics and the true cost of readiness 21:25 – Hospital closures and extended transport times — national rural EMS challenges 24:11 – Leadership is constant: visible, energetic and principle-driven 28:14 – Rob’s military leadership values and the weight of being observed 32:35 – Leadership as service and the power of building trust within teams 34:58 – Rob’s group dynamics “icebreaker” exercise and lessons on leadership styles 39:33 – Mentorship benefits both ways: mentees gain confidence, mentors renew purpose 44:49 – Academy success stories and graduates becoming leaders elsewhere in EMS 46:44 – Closing comments and podcast wrap-up with Amelia and Rob Rate and review the EMS One-Stop podcast Enjoying the show? Contact the EMS One-Stop team at [email protected] to share ideas, suggestions and feedback.

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