Recorded on location at the EMS Association Summit in sunny Kansas City, this edition of EMS One-Stop captures something that’s been building for a while across the profession: real momentum.
In the first half, Rob Lawrence sits down with Bill Seifarth, CEO of the National Registry of EMTs, to unpack what the Registry is today; how its mission has evolved; and why partnerships, research and continued competence sit at the heart of public trust when 911 is called.
In the second half, returning guest Patrick Pianezza joins Rob to talk Code 3, the top streaming EMS movie’s impact on providers and families and what comes next.
Across both conversations, the theme is unmistakable. When EMS organizations collaborate, align messaging and show up as one voice, the profession becomes harder to ignore and easier to support. The summit becomes more than a meeting. It becomes a signal.
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Memorable quotes
- “I mean, I’ve been in EMS for over 30 some years now, and I’ve never seen the amount of — I’ll use the word synergy and positive energy — between these organizations.” — Bill Seifarth
- “Our mission statement, which was recently updated in 2024 by our board of directors, is to support the EMS profession through partnerships, through research and through lifelong assessment of clinical competence.” — Bill Seifarth
- “The biggest piece of what the National Registry does is really what’s our bread and butter, and that is the lifelong assessment of clinical competence.” — Bill Seifarth
- “Anytime that we can come together and advocate as one voice versus 50 or so scattered voices, I think we’ll be able to do a lot more for not just the community, but for the profession at large.” — Patrick Pianezza
- “Any opportunity we have where we especially can get a synergistic effect in partnering with others, other organizations, we’ll continue doing that.” — Bill Seifarth
- “It’s been really well received by the providers that are still doing the job, which has been what I really care about.” — Patrick Pianezza
- “I now understand why my spouse or my son or whoever is quiet when they come home.” — Patrick Pianezza
- “Anytime that we can come together and advocate as one voice versus 50 or so scattered voices, I think we’ll be able to do a lot more for not just the community, but for the profession at large.” — Patrick Pianezza
Additional resources:
- NREMT
- EMS on the Hill
- One voice, one profession: EMS leaders open summit with call for unity and coordinated action
- Why ‘Code 3’ might be the most honest EMS film yet
- Burnout, bravery and gratitude: The story behind ‘Code 3’
- Rainn Wilson on ‘Code 3’ and the brutal beauty of EMS life
Episode timeline
1:02 – Introduction of Bill Seifarth; brief personal bio and career path
2:01 – “National Registry 101”: Bill explains the mission and what the Registry does
2:53 – Research focus: the Registry’s fellowship and EMS research priorities
3:31 – “Bread and butter”: entry-level and continued competence assessment and why it matters to the public
4:33 – Rob notes the Registry’s growing national presence; Bill outlines advocacy-through-partnership
5:08 – Preview of next year’s summit; participation in EMS on the Hill and NCSL with multiple EMS orgs in one booth
6:33 – Why the summit matters: state associations and national partners coming together under one roof — it’s a sold-out inaugural event; education, networking and shared experience highlighted
10:52 – Next stop: EMS on the Hill; “hunting in a pack”
12:20 – Bill’s closing: partnership, collaboration, synergy and supporting the profession
13:38 – Transition: Rob introduces Patrick Pianezza, co-writer of Code 3
14:41 – Patrick reflects on the film’s reception — especially among working providers
15:33 – Patrick shares the origin story: a “homework assignment” turned full-length film
17:39 – Where to watch: Apple/Amazon to rent or purchase; streaming on Hulu; performance metrics shared
18:30 – What’s next: pitching a TV series and interest in a sequel; realities of funding and IP ownership
21:33 – Discussion of the “Mr. President” scene and the intentional visual tension-building
24:19 – Patrick addresses feedback and the goal: honest portrayal and conversation-starting, not villainizing partners
27:41 – Leadership pipeline point: great clinicians aren’t automatically great leaders; mentorship matters
30:15 – Closing theme returns: one voice, fewer scattered voices, more impact for the profession
31:20 – Rob wraps: summit takeaways, guests, and a final nudge to watch Code 3
