The JEMS Report

First responders frequently carry unseen psychological burdens that build up long after the sirens fade. In this episode of the EMS Improv podcast, Eric Chase sits down with paramedic and educator Robert B. Ravndl to discuss his battle with post-traumatic stress following a critical incident in 2015. Ravndl shares his raw journey through the breaking point, inpatient treatment at a specialized center for excellence, and the reality of navigating life and work with his service dog, Carnes.The conversation unpacks the systemic barriers first responders face when seeking mental health support, fighting for reasonable workplace accommodations, and confronting institutional ignorance. Ravndl also highlights the importance of empathy, active listening, and meaningful peer advocacy, proving that true cultural change in emergency services starts from within the ranks.

Step back in time to the gritty, high-stakes era of 1980s and 1990s New York City with retired FDNY firefighter Tony Bonfiglio. In this episode, Bonfiglio shares his unexpected path from working in a meat factory to riding the rig in Washington Heights with Ladder 34. He details the intense reality of running calls in a high-volume district, navigating firehouse pranks, and confronting the emotional toll of tragic losses, including the devastating events of September 11. Listeners get a raw look at the brotherhood, the dark humor, and the sheer resilience required to survive decades on the front lines. Bonfiglio also discusses his memoir, Tales from the Tiller, offering an authentic glimpse into the daily life of an urban firefighter.

What does cardiac arrest actually look like, and why do bystanders often fail to recognize it? A study of 145 recorded out-of-hospital cardiac arrests reveals how subtle warning signs, unusual movements, and seizure like activity can delay recognition and lifesaving CPR.In this episode of the JEMS Podcast, host Mike Brown talks with cardiac arrest researcher Tommaso Scquizzato, MD, and critical care PA Brandon Otto, PA-C, FCCM, about research examining real world surveillance footage of out of hospital cardiac arrests and what it means for EMS providers, emergency dispatchers, CPR training, and public education.For EMS professionals, dispatchers, educators, and resuscitation researchers, these findings offer important insight into the first critical seconds of cardiac arrest and the opportunities to improve early recognition and intervention.Subscribe to JEMS for EMS news, clinical insights, research, and conversations focused on improving emergency medical services.#EMS #CardiacArrest #CPR

Paramedics Mike Brown and Adam LaChappelle unpack a troubling EMS and law enforcement response in Monroe County, Tennessee, involving an elderly retired preacher named Lester Isbill. Officers and medical crews responded to a call regarding an altered elderly driver who could not remember the current president, yet the patient ultimately ended up arrested, falling in jail, and dying from cardiac arrest after hours in a restraint chair.The conversation focuses on failures in patient advocacy and clinical assessment. Despite clear indicators of acute distress—including hypertension, hypoxia, unsteadiness, and obvious cognitive deficits—the crew failed to secure proper transport or establish patient capacity. A legally invalid refusal was also signed by the patient's daughter while he was already in police custody. This case highlights the vital need for EMS providers to act as vocal healthcare advocates, recognize altered mental status, and push past legal gray areas to ensure patient safety.Link to the Isbill Body Cam: https://youtu.be/6elprlWg-do?si=4MKpUu7k0SUOkCuk

Mike Ettenberg spent over five years working as a firefighter and paramedic for the city of Coronado before pivoting into full-time entrepreneurship. Faced with the heavy mental toll of the job, especially during the pandemic, and the constant frustration of breaking expensive duty sunglasses, he launched Frontline Optics with five thousand dollars in overtime savings.What started as a side hustle selling to fellow crew members evolved into a thriving company driven by social media marketing and rugged product design. The brand features a no-questions-asked replacement program designed specifically for first responders who routinely put their gear through brutal field conditions. Beyond building a successful direct-to-consumer business, Mike balances his expanding enterprise—including a new motorsports division—with coaching baseball and enjoying time with his family.