This breaking-news edition of EMS One-Stop dives straight into the announcement that the National EMS Advisory Council (NEMSAC) has been dissolved. Host Rob Lawrence is joined by Dr. Brandon Morshedi (NEMSAC chair-elect) and Brenden Hayden (immediate past chair), who explain what NEMSAC is, what it achieved and why its sudden dismissal has left the EMS community frustrated, concerned and searching for answers.
Together, they outline the role of NEMSAC as the sole statutory advisory body connecting EMS to the federal executive branch, describe the hundreds of volunteer hours that went into shaping advisories, and discuss what happens now that years of hard work and documents have been pulled from EMS.gov.
This episode sets the record straight, provides a clear explainer of the process, and captures the disappointment — yet determination — of leaders committed to moving EMS forward despite this setback.
| More: National EMS Advisory Council board members terminated
Memorable quotes
- “No one sits around a table and decides what we’re going to do based on politics. We make decisions based on what’s in the best interest of EMS and the patients we serve.” — Brenden Hayden
- “We needed one more meeting in February to wrap up at least six more advisories. It was heartache — the work just came to a grinding halt.” — Dr. Brandon Morshedi
- “NEMSAC is the only organization whose charter is designed to speak directly to the federal government.” — Brenden Hayden
- “What’s different this time is all 25 members are gone. There will be no continuity.” — Dr. Brandon Morshedi
- “This became another full-time job for all of us — 25 people who already had full-time jobs dedicating themselves to EMS.” — Brenden Hayden
- “We had 14 advisories in the hopper. Twenty-five percent of NEMSAC’s total output came in the last two years.” — Dr. Brandon Morshedi
- “Regardless of how our tenure has ended, it’s been the privilege of a lifetime to sit with 24 like-minded leaders.” — Brenden Hayden
- “It does no good to just complain. Learn the process, unify our voice and make change happen.” — Dr. Brandon Morshedi
Episode timeline
01:08 – Rob introduces the breaking news: NEMSAC dissolved
02:22 – What is NEMSAC? Brenden explains its statutory role
04:52 – How does NEMSAC differ from associations? Direct advisory to the executive branch
06:42 – Appointments, terms and how continuity usually worked
08:44 – The depth of work: meetings, subcommittees, advisories, letters
11:23 – Examples of major advisories and public comment process
14:27 – Shock: key advisories removed from EMS.gov
19:13 – Explainer: FICEMS and how advisories flow through federal government
26:25 – How members felt when dismissal was announced
30:18 – What happens to unfinished advisories and research
34:20 – Associations’ role in keeping the work alive
35:50 – The advisory each guest is most proud of
39:41 – Lessons learned: influence, unified voice, process
43:25 – Final reflections: leadership, advocacy, and what comes next
Additional resources:
- How NEMSAC is composed — who sits on the council and what types of expertise are represented
- The NEMSAC’s statutory role advice/briefings at the federal level
- NEMSAC’s key accomplishments
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