In this special South Carolina–flavored December edition of NAEMT Radio, host Rob Lawrence sits down with Henry Lewis, one of EMS’s most influential association leaders, to explore how national and state EMS partnerships are evolving in real time.

Broadcast from Washington, D.C., just after the American Ambulance Association board meeting, Rob and Henry dig into how local, state, and national EMS bodies can better align, advocate, and “hunt as a pack” to advance the profession. Henry, who uniquely straddles leadership roles in both NAEMT and the American Ambulance Association, explains why unified messaging across all levels of EMS is now essential—and how state associations are the critical connective tissue.

This episode also includes a holiday message from NAEMT President Chris Way, reflections on the year ahead, and a forward look at the First EMS Association Summit, taking place in February in Kansas City.

Resources

Join the NAEMT: https://www.naemt.org/join/join

EMS Association Summit February 17-19 Kansas City: https://attendeas.net/

In this milestone episode of NAEMT Radio, host Rob Lawrence welcomes NAEMT President Chris Way for a timely conversation reflecting on the association’s 50th anniversary celebrations in Indianapolis—and looking ahead to the next 50 years. President Way shares highlights from the organization’s new mission, vision, and three strategic pillars—advocacy, membership, and education—designed to shape the future of EMS. He also discusses the inclusive and collaborative process that brought the board, members, and partner organizations together to define a clear path forward. The pair explore NAEMT’s growing global reach, its expanding network of international partners, and the success of programs like the Lighthouse Leadership initiative, which continues to develop the next generation of EMS leaders.

The discussion then turns to federal advocacy and legislative momentum, as President Way provides updates following the government’s reopening and details NAEMT’s push for permanent funding solutions, support for treatment in place (TIP) and mobile integrated healthcare (MIH), and the transition of military medics to civilian EMS roles.

Looking ahead, the conversation previews EMS on the Hill Day 2026 (March 25–26), which promises to be the largest yet, featuring broad participation from NAEMSP, ACEP, ACS, IAFC, SOMA, and other key partners. The episode closes with a preview of NAEMT’s new integrated IT and membership system, a shout-out to upcoming state association collaboration meetings in Kansas City, and a Thanksgiving message from President Way encouraging EMS professionals to pause, reflect, and recharge amid the season.

Resources

Join the NAEMT: https://www.naemt.org/join/join

In this second installment of our 2025 NAEMT National Award Winners series, we highlight the physician whose leadership and vision have set a benchmark for EMS nationwide. Dr. Meg Marino, Medical Director of New Orleans EMS, has been named the 2025 NAEMT Medical Director of the Year. From her early career in pediatrics to her current role guiding one of the nation’s most dynamic EMS systems, Dr. Marino has consistently demonstrated what it means to lead with both compassion and clinical excellence. Her dedication to education, protocol innovation, and hands-on mentorship has not only strengthened New Orleans EMS but also influenced best practices across the country.

In this episode, Dr. Marino reflects on her journey, from training EMS providers in pediatric care to leading her department through the trials of the COVID-19 pandemic and mass casualty incidents. She discusses the clinical innovations she’s most proud of, including pioneering work in prehospital blood programs, airway research, and ultrasound. Most importantly, she shares her philosophy of being present—in the streets with her teams—on both their best and hardest days. This conversation captures the spirit of a medical director who is not only advancing EMS medicine but also inspiring the next generation of providers through trust, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to patient care.

Memorable Quotes

"I want to be in the streets with my teams on the best days and on the hard days."

"By improving the quality of education that EMS providers receive, I can not only help the patient in front of me, but all of the patients that those EMS providers touch."

"It’s easy to be a progressive medical director and let your team do a whole lot when you’ve got a lot of trust in your team."

Resources

NAEMT Annual Meeting 2025 Schedule: https://naemt.org/events/annual-meeting/2025-schedule

Join the NAEMT: https://www.naemt.org/join/join

In this special edition of NAEMT Radio, we shine a spotlight on the remarkable professionals recognized with our highest honors at the upcoming NAEMT Annual Meeting and EMS World Expo in Indianapolis. As NAEMT celebrates its 50th anniversary, we pause to honor those who embody the very best of EMS—clinicians whose compassion, resilience, and innovation not only elevate patient care but also inspire their peers across the nation. This episode begins our Winners Series, bringing you closer to the stories of those whose work has left a lasting mark on their communities.

Joining us first is Jason Wyland, the 2025 NAEMT Paramedic of the Year Award, sponsored by Velico, whose decades of service with Aspirus Medevac Air One reflect both clinical excellence and steadfast dedication, even in the face of personal health challenges. Following Jason, we meet Amber Price, the 2025 NAEMT-NAMIHP Community Paramedic of the Year Award, sponsored by the National Association of Mobile Integrated Healthcare Providers NAEMT Community Paramedic of the Year from Austin-Travis County EMS, whose pioneering programs remove barriers for vulnerable populations and redefine what community paramedicine can achieve. Together, their journeys remind us that EMS is about more than responding to calls—it’s about compassion, advocacy, and advancing care for every patient, everywhere.

Memorable Quotes

"I always go back to, you know, how do I want to be treated or how do I want my parents or my grandparents, you know, if they're alive or my children, how do you want them to be treated, you know, with the same compassion that you treat your patients with?" Jason Wyland

"Every decision that I make, I am making it for the client. What is best for the client. It doesn’t matter whose name is at the top of the page. What it matters is that the client gets their need met in the most efficient, trauma-informed, caring way." Amber Price

Resources

NAEMT Annual Meeting 2025 Schedule: https://naemt.org/events/annual-meeting/2025-schedule

Join the NAEMT: https://www.naemt.org/join/join

What Three Words: https://what3words.com

"Just let me say we are very honored in Germany to be partner of the NAEMT” Dr. Hans-Martin Gusnick (Germany) "I'm really thankful for having the, I would say, the partnership, but also the friendship from the NAEMT people to make it better here" Dr. Rodrigo Vaz (Brazil)

In this special international edition of NAEMT Radio, host Rob Lawrence takes listeners on a global tour of EMS, speaking first with Dr. Hans-Martin Grusnick from Germany and then with Dr. Rodrigo Vaz from Brazil. Dr. Grusnick, an experienced paramedic-turned-intensivist, outlines the German EMS model, where ALS units and physician response cars work side-by-side, and explains how NAEMT courses such as PHTLS, AMLS, EPC, GEMS, and TCCC have enhanced clinical pathways and decision-making in the field. The conversation highlights the similarities in challenges faced across countries—rising call volumes, aging populations, and the constant need for system integration—and shows how NAEMT training continues to shape practice internationally.

From there, the program heads to South America, where Dr. Vaz, a trauma surgeon and president of the Brazilian Committee on Trauma, shares how EMS operates in Brazil’s vast and diverse geography—from urban centers to the Amazon, where boat ambulances and air evacuations are sometimes the only options. He discusses the predominance of public service delivery, the unique mix of Franco-German and Anglo-American models, and the growing role of NAEMT education, particularly PHTLS, with an emphasis on expanding TCCC, TECC, and First On The Scene training. Both guests underscore the power of NAEMT partnerships to unify global EMS professionals under common standards, improve patient outcomes, and foster international collaboration—proof that while EMS systems may differ, the mission to save lives is universal.

Resources

NAEMT Annual Meeting 2025 Schedule: https://naemt.org/events/annual-meeting/2025-schedule Join the NAEMT: https://www.naemt.org/join/join

Ep 51. NAEMT Radio – Raising the Bar on EMS Education: Understanding Accreditation with COA and guest Troy Tuke Hosted by Rob Lawrence | Guest: Troy Tuke

In this edition of NAEMT Radio, host Rob Lawrence sits down with NAEMT Board Secretary and EMS educator Troy Tuke, who also serves as NAEMT’s representative to the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the EMS Professions—better known as CoAEMSP or simply COA.

Together, Rob and Troy take a deep dive into what accreditation really means for EMS education, how the process works, why it matters, and how it ultimately benefits students, programs, and the EMS profession as a whole. Troy also draws on his dual experience as an EMS leader and program director to walk listeners through how a new program gets accredited—from application to site visit—and how COA supports continuous improvement and excellence in paramedic education.

Key Topics Covered:

• What COAEMSP does and why accreditation is vital for the EMS profession
• The role of NAEMT in representing educators and practitioners at the national level
• Troy’s journey from EMS Chief to Program Director and COA board member
• How education standards are evolving with modern prehospital care, including ultrasound, video-assisted laryngoscopy, and mobile healthcare
• The importance of national accreditation for student mobility, including testing eligibility and EMS Compact transferability
• The future of EMS education and how programs can keep up with clinical innovation
• How EMS leaders and educators can begin the process of getting their program accredited

Key Quotes from the Episode:

1. “Accreditation… helps ensure you get the quality education that meets all of the most recently studied best practices.” – Troy Tuke
2. “Going to an accredited program gives you upward mobility… it’s a nationally recognized certification.” – Troy Tuke
3. “We are clinicians. We’re not just drivers. We’re treating patients where they are.” – Rob Lawrence
4. “There’s a synergy at COA that can’t be overstated—everyone brings their best to the table.” – Troy Tuke
5. “We want to provide consistent, high-quality, repeatable education at every level.” – Troy Tuke
6. “When we work together, the power and the synergy are great. There’s not much we can’t solve.” – Troy Tuke
7. “It’s not about stopping you from starting a program—it’s about helping you succeed.” – Troy Tuke

Resources Discussed

COAEMSP Website: CoAEMSP – Committee on Accreditation for the EMS Professions – Credible education through accreditation

NAEMT Annual Meeting 2025 Schedule: https://naemt.org/events/annual-meeting/2025-schedule

Join the NAEMT: https://www.naemt.org/join/join

In this landmark 50th episode of NAEMT Radio, host Rob Lawrence marks not one, but two significant milestones: the 50th episode of the podcast and the 50th anniversary of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians. Joined by president-elect Rob Luckritz and past president Dennis Rowe, this special episode chronicles NAEMT’s evolution from its grassroots formation in 1975 to its current role as the unified voice of EMS professionals across the nation. The conversation traces pivotal moments in the association’s history, from the establishment of national training standards under the guidance of Rocco Morando, to the development of programs like PHTLS and TECC, to the launch of advocacy efforts such as EMS on the Hill Day. Rowe offers rare insight into the association’s formative years, having lived its growth from the inside, while Luckritz shares how NAEMT became the engine of his leadership journey, moving from field EMS to national advocacy.

As the episode unfolds, the discussion shifts to the future of EMS and the next 50 years of NAEMT’s impact. Luckritz reflects on his early involvement as a PHTLS instructor and his commitment to expanding leadership development through the Lighthouse Program. The episode also addresses how EMS has transformed in response to national crises—from the post-9/11 redefinition of readiness, to Hurricane Katrina’s lessons in preparedness, to COVID-19’s proof that EMS is the backbone of public health response.

Together, the guests emphasize the importance of mentoring the next generation, expanding the profession beyond the ambulance, and aligning state and federal advocacy to drive sustainable change. It's a stirring conversation that honors EMS’s past while lighting the path forward—one where data, leadership, and collaboration shape the destiny of the EMS profession.

Resources Discussed

NAEMT Annual Meeting 2025 Schedule: https://naemt.org/events/annual-meeting/2025-schedule

History of NAEMT: https://naemt.org/about-naemt/history-of-naemt

Join the NAEMT: https://www.naemt.org/join/join

“This statement was really meant to give prosecutors and judges serious food for thought on whether it’s appropriate to bring criminal charges in cases where standards of care are the issue.” Doug Wolfberg

In this compelling edition of NAEMT Radio, host Rob Lawrence is joined by nationally renowned EMS attorney Doug Wolfberg of Page, Wolfberg & Wirth to discuss one of the most pressing and controversial issues in EMS today — the criminalization of medical error.

Prompted by recent high-profile cases where EMS clinicians have faced charges ranging from negligent homicide to murder for clinical decisions made in the field, Rob and Doug take a deep dive into the joint position statement on criminal liability for deviations from EMS clinical standards. Drafted by Doug and his team, and endorsed by leading national EMS organizations, the statement provides guiding principles for prosecutors and judges, and advocates for a clearer distinction between human error and intentional misconduct.

Together, they explore the legal, ethical, and operational implications of this trend, and the chilling effect it may have on reporting errors, clinician retention, and fostering a culture of safety. With rich insights into what EMS leaders, field providers, and policymakers can do to protect both patients and professionals, this episode offers critical guidance on maintaining a just culture — where errors are learned from, not punished. Tune in for practical advice, poignant real-world examples, and a discussion that could shape the legal future of EMS care in America.

Resources Discussed

 Joint Position Statement on Criminal Liability in EMS: https://www.naemt.org/docs/default-source/advocacy-documents/positions/20241210---final-joint-position-statement-on-criminal-liability.pdf?sfvrsn=2d3fe93_1

 Related articles by Rob Lawrence and Doug Wolfberg:

Navigating criminal liability: Lessons from the Elijah McClain case (Rob Lawrence): Navigating criminal liability: Lessons from the Elijah McClain case

Malpractice or murder: When do EMS providers cross the line from negligence to a crime? (Doug Wolfberg): Malpractice or murder: EMTs charged with homicide in Moore case

 Learn more about Page, Wolfberg & Wirth: www.pwwemslaw.com

Join the NAEMT: https://www.naemt.org/join/join