Send a text In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Zac — a firefighter/EMT with both volunteer and career experience — to explore what it truly takes to serve at a high standard in the fire and EMS world. From his early days on the rig to navigating the chaos of high-stakes calls, Zac shares how faith has guided him, grounded him, and helped him stay resilient on shift. We dive into the tough questions: How do we maintain excellence under pressure? How do we process the weig...
Mar 3
57 min
Send a text Why are so many EMS providers exhausted—even when they “sleep”? Why does stress feel constant, recovery impossible, and burnout unavoidable? In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we’re joined by Haley Scellick, ARNP from First Responder Health and Wellness to break down what’s really happening inside the bodies of first responders. We dive into chronic fatigue, cortisol dysregulation, sleep disruption, and hormone imbalance, and explain why feeling “wired but tired” is not just ...
Feb 10
1 hr 20 min
Send us a text Poisonings and overdoses are a growing portion of EMS calls, and rapid recognition can mean the difference between life and death. Toxicology 101 is designed to give BLS providers a practical, field-focused approach to identifying and managing common toxidromes. This course breaks down the five core toxidromes, common substances involved, key assessment findings, and critical BLS interventions. Support the show 🔗 EMSconnect – All Social Media & Resources 👉 https://linktr.e...
Jan 28
1 hr 4 min
Send us a text In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Patrick Pianezza, former Paramedic and Writer of the film Code 3, for an honest, inside look at telling EMS stories from someone who has actually lived them. Patrick shares how his time on the streets shaped the characters, calls, and emotional weight of Code 3, why authenticity matters when portraying EMS on screen, and how cumulative stress, burnout, dark humor, and identity all find their way into the story. We talk ab...
Jan 7
1 hr 9 min
Join Shaun Pitts on EMSconnect On Shift as he sits down with Dr. Travis Dierks for an essential deep dive into ECG interpretation. Whether you’re an EMT, paramedic, or just looking to strengthen your cardiac knowledge, this episode breaks down rhythm strips and ECG fundamentals in a clear, practical way. Dr. Dierks shares expert tips for identifying key patterns, avoiding common pitfalls, and translating what you see on the monitor into confident, real-world patient care decisions. By the end...
Dec 30, 2025
53 min
In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Ian—a seasoned paramedic and flight clinician whose journey started with Ada County Paramedics back in 2012. After earning his paramedic certification in 2014, Ian set his sights on the sky, launching his flight career in 2018. Since then, he’s flown with several programs, spending four years with Air Idaho Rescue in Driggs before joining Air St. Luke’s, where he has been flying for the past three years. With extensive rotor-wing experi...
Dec 10, 2025
47 min
In this essential pre-clinical briefing, veteran educator and field provider Shaun Pitts breaks down the mindset, expectations, and professional habits every EMT student needs before stepping onto an ambulance or walking into a clinical site. This episode is designed to be listened to before your first ride-along and revisited before every shift throughout your training. Shaun lays out the concept of your Clinical Compass—the internal framework that keeps you oriented when the real worl...
Dec 3, 2025
33 min
In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, Quinn dives deep into one of the most common and critical calls in prehospital care: respiratory emergencies. From asthma and COPD to CHF and pneumonia, Quinn breaks down the “Big 4” respiratory issues every EMS provider encounters and explores how to assess, treat, and manage these patients at the BLS level. Join us as we review key anatomy and physiology, discuss how to recognize respiratory distress before it becomes failure or arrest, and walk throu...
Oct 20, 2025
1 hr 24 min
In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, Shaun Pitts dives deep into one of the most common—and most challenging—calls in EMS: abdominal pain. From appendicitis to pancreatitis, this discussion explores the anatomy, physiology, and assessment strategies behind those mysterious belly aches that can quickly turn critical. You’ll learn how to distinguish between somatic, visceral, parietal, and referred pain, sharpen your patient assessment skills, and walk through a real-world case that tests yo...
Oct 20, 2025
45 min
The record button was accidentally left on… and now you get a behind-the-scenes peek at what happens when we’re not being professional or sticking to the script! While we have to cut this from the official course on the website, it would be a crime not to share it here on the podcast. So sit back, relax, and “enjoy” the chaos and utter stupidity. If you are looking to waste 20 mins, don't look any further! Support the show https://www.facebook.com/EMSconnectonline https://www.youtube.c...
Aug 6, 2025
28 min
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