Motivational leadership

AmbuServe’s Melissa Harris discusses EMS staffing and leadership challenges

August 23, 2022 12:12 PM •

This episode of EMS One-Stop With Rob Lawrence is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.

In this episode of EMS One-Stop, Host Rob Lawrence speaks with Melissa Harris, owner of AmbuServe Ambulance and Shoreline Ambulance operating in the greater Los Angeles area, while recording at the California Ambulance Association Stars of Life event in Sacramento, California.

Melissa describes how she began her EMS life and now owns and operates two ambulance companies, and pays homage to her staff. She also discusses the challenges that keep EMS leaders up at night, and current legislative challenges and associated calls to action.

Rob then speaks with AmbuServe Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Jim Karras, who interviews his three CAA Star of Life recipients, Ethan Garmon, Wesley Graves and Caitlyn Humphrey. They discuss the highs and lows of delivering service in the pandemic, and offer advice for new medics.

AmbuServe service on display

Mural artist Jules Muck has created an incredible piece of art on the AmbuServe Ambulance station.

https://bcove.video/3QAWkTx

The full interview with Ethan, Wesley and Caitlynn is available on AmbuServe’s Real EMS podcast.

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Rob Lawrence

Rob Lawrence has been a leader in civilian and military EMS for over a quarter of a century. He is currently the director of strategic implementation for PRO EMS and its educational arm, Prodigy EMS, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and part-time executive director of the California Ambulance Association.

He previously served as the chief operating officer of the Richmond Ambulance Authority (Virginia), which won both state and national EMS Agency of the Year awards during his 10-year tenure. Additionally, he served as COO for Paramedics Plus in Alameda County, California.

Prior to emigrating to the U.S. in 2008, Rob served as the COO for the East of England Ambulance Service in Suffolk County, England, and as the executive director of operations and service development for the East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust. Rob is a former Army officer and graduate of the UK’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served worldwide in a 20-year military career encompassing many prehospital and evacuation leadership roles.

Rob is a board member of the Academy of International Mobile Healthcare Integration (AIMHI) as well as chair of the American Ambulance Association’s State Association Forum. He writes and podcasts for EMS1 and is a member of the EMS1 Editorial Advisory Board. Connect with him on Twitter.