Have you ever had a close call falling asleep because you were exhausted from working your EMS shift? While we often acknowledge fatigue in EMS as an issue, we must do more to address and operationalize the education, policy, and system design of this dangerous problem.

Hosts Maia Dorsett, Rob Lawrence and Hilary Gates are joined by fatigue expert P. Daniel Patterson, PhD, NRP, Associate Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh along with Stephanie Louka, MD, EMT, an EMS physician at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. Stephanie shares a gripping firsthand story of a post-shift crash where she became a patient. The episode explores the science—and the lived reality—of fatigue in EMS. From the biology of fatigue to evidence-based strategies like tactical napping and sleep banking, this episode challenges educators and leaders to rethink how we prepare clinicians not just to treat patients, but to survive the job. You'll hear how leaders must confront the cultural and organizational barriers of this issue to keep crews, patients and the public safe.

Fatigue isn’t just a wellness issue—it’s a safety issue. What will you change after listening?

Ginger Locke highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute."

Mentioned in the episode:

2024 Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Guidelines for Prehospital Care https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39373357/

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform. Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks! Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com. Follow @ProdigyEMS on FB, YouTube, TikTok & IG.

How can cardiac arrest data be used to create quality education for EMS clinicians? In this episode, hosts Maia Dorsett, Rob Lawrence and Hilary Gates are joined by quality improvement experts Kerby Johnson, Clinical Quality Research Coordinator for the Office of the Medical Director at Fort Worth Fire Department EMS, and paramedic Kevin Gustina from Perinton EMS to explore how systems can use data to drive smarter education and better cardiac arrest outcomes.

From the power of the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) to monitor-level insights and process measures, the group discusses how agencies—large and small—can turn performance data into meaningful training. They share real-world lessons, down to the seemingly small tweaks, on improving time to first shock, high-quality CPR and team-based resuscitation.

The conversation highlights how looking at your data and being purposeful about simulation and team practice can transform teams. Because in resuscitation, neurologically-intact outcomes is what matters.

Ginger Locke highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute."

Mentioned in the episode:

CARES https://mycares.net/

Utstein Guidelines https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030095722100126X

Mechanical Chest Compression Research https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8328162/

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform. Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks! Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com. Follow @ProdigyEMS on FB, YouTube, TikTok & IG.

Recorded live from the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP) 2026 Annual Meeting in Tampa, hosts Rob Lawrence and Hilary Gates welcome back leaders from the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) — CEO Bill Seifarth and COO Alan Arguello — for an in-depth conversation on the latest updates shaping EMS education and certification.

The group explores NREMT’s new mission statement that is focused on partnerships, research, and lifelong assessment of clinical competence. Bill and Alan also break down the evolving National Continued Competency Program (NCCP), the new ALS Practice Analysis, and proven ways to continue our education, like micro-learning and just-in-time learning.

Plus, hear about the newly formed NREMT Advisory Group and how EMS professionals can get more involved in shaping the future of the profession — with a little pirate humor to honor Tampa's Gasparilla Festival thrown in for good measure.

Ginger Locke highlights the episode's key points with her "Mindset Minute."

Mentioned in the episode: NREMT Volunteer Opportunities: https://www.nremt.org/Partners/Volunteers

Join the inaugural EMS Association Summit (EAS) — the first national event uniting state EMS association leaders, board members, and staff. Experience two days of inspiration, idea-sharing, and collaboration designed to strengthen partnerships and shape the future of EMS nationwide. February 17-19, 2026 | Kansas City, KS - https://attendeas.net/daily-agenda/

The EMS Educator is published on the first Friday of every month! Be sure to turn on your notifications so you can listen as soon as the episode drops, and like/follow us on your favorite platform. Check out the Prodigy EMS Bounty Program! Earn $1000 for your best talks! Get your CE at www.prodigyems.com. Follow @ProdigyEMS on FB, YouTube, TikTok & IG.