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In this week’s Inside EMS podcast, hosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson talk about the upcoming EMS World conference in November, and the benefits of attending trade shows.
1. A broader perspective
“Probably the biggest thing you get from EMS conferences is a broadened perspective,” said Grayson, who travels to shows around the country to both attend and speak.
One of the biggest pitfalls is the ‘if you’ve seen one EMS agency you’ve seen all EMS agencies’ attitude, which leads to stagnation, he said. Trade shows offer the ability to hear from a variety of experts talk about what’s going on in their systems.
He said it also provides education to agencies that may not have a robust program in place.
“By and large, these people are volunteers,” Grayson said.
2. The speakers
Cebollero said one of his favorite parts is listening to a lot of high-level EMS speakers, as well as walking away with new and fresh information.
“The stuff you hear and learn – try to implement it,” Cebollero said. “Bring it back.”
3. The comradery
Cebollero said he also enjoys the comradery of talking with EMS leaders, laughing over beer, and sharing stories and best practices.
Grayson agreed.
“It’s a great way to recharge your career batteries,” he said.
In the news, they discuss a newspaper investigation that alleges nepotism among Los Angeles firefighters and claims of cheating on applicant interviews.
“There is some accusation … that maybe they were circulating some of the answers to the questions that were going to be on the hiring process,” Cebollero said. “I think that really kind of steps over that line.”
They also talk about an Ohio EMS station that was ransacked, with thieves making off with EMS uniforms and ID cards while crews were at a Halloween block party.
“While I wouldn’t go so far as to say this was part of a larger plot … it does highlight the risks and dangers that are out there,” Grayson said. “This is the kind of thing where terrorism rears its ugly head.”
They both suggest EMS stations need better security to keep this equipment safe.
And they talk about the dangers of distracted driving after a man ran himself over with his own van when he dropped a lit cigarette down his jacket and jumped out of the moving vehicle. The vehicle knocked him down and rolled backward over his head, but he’s suspected to survive.
They also sit down with guest Bryan Fass, EMS1 columnist and president and founder of Fit Responder, about his recently launched app featuring a workout program designed specifically for EMTs and paramedics.
Here are links to some of the articles and other items mentioned on the show:
