Inside EMS

In this end-of-year special, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson wrap 2025 with their trademark mix of humor, insight and zero sugarcoating. From venomous bites to venomous behavior, the Inside EMS duo continue counting down the top EMS stories that had the industry buzzing this year — and occasionally cringing. As always, the guys don’t shy away from the tough stuff, but they make sure to end on a note of gratitude for the everyday EMS pros out there doing the job with compassion, competence and quiet heroism. Quotable takeaways “Every day, EMS providers go out there, do their jobs and bring some kindness and some comfort to a really bad day for their patients. And I think we need to look forward to more of that in 2026.” “Sometimes we've done things that maybe we shouldn't have, because it isn't in our scope of protocols, but I think we make a difference. Where's the line?” “Most of the advantages of mechanical CPR are not advantages at all.” The top EMS1 stories of 2025 Representatives Glenn Thompson and John Mannion introduced the EMS Counts Act Social Security Fairness Act signed into law, boosting retirement benefits for first responders Kentucky EMTs face KBEMS hearing for administering antivenom after mamba bite Elkhart firefighter appeals loss of paramedic duties after nurse’s harassment complaint American Heart Association's 2025 CPR guidelines: Choking, opioids & survival chain Ill. city council makes $500 lift assist fee permanent Warren-Wentworth Ambulance shuts down after entire staff quits 'Shut the f**k up!': North Babylon Fire Chief Peter Alt on leave after video shows him cursing at patient Orange County fire chiefs demand removal of EMS director for halting blood transfusions, ketamine use Colo. paramedic charged with manslaughter after sedating, restraining man National EMS Advisory Council board members terminated Enjoying Inside EMS? Email [email protected] to share feedback or suggest guests for an upcoming episode. 

In this special Christmas edition of the Inside EMS podcast, cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson unwrap five of the biggest EMS stories of 2025 — and it’s not all eggnog and cheer. This year delivered more than its fair share of gut punches to the profession, from a paramedic who was charged with manslaughter, to footage of a fire chief yelling at a 10-year-old patient (yeah, that happened). Next week’s show will break down the final five EMS stories of the year, but in 2026, we’re flipping the spotlight. Chris and Kelly are calling on you to step up and share your real EMS stories — the funny, the frustrating, the calls that changed you. Got a moment that shaped your career? Our cohosts want to hear it, and you might even get an invite to appear on the podcast. ‘Tis the season to be heard; email [email protected] to share your story! Quotable takeaways “You're the grownup. You can't pitch a fit. You gotta be the grownup in the situation and diffuse it.” “If your only incentive for doing the right thing is that somebody might catch you being a jerk on video, then it's time for you to get out of the profession.” “The cost of readiness is hugely expensive.” Enjoying Inside EMS? Email [email protected] to share feedback or suggest guests for future episodes. 

What do you do when someone on your team is struggling — and it’s on you to say something? In this episode of the Inside EMS podcast, Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson dive headfirst into one of leadership’s toughest challenges: holding people accountable without losing your humanity. This episode challenges leaders to ditch outdated progressive discipline models and start leading with clarity and empathy. Whether you’re a seasoned supervisor or new to the hot seat, this one hits home. And if you’ve been avoiding a conversation, consider this your nudge to stop choosing comfort over your own integrity. Quotable takeaways “Firing people with compassion, managing your ego, their ego, admitting mistakes and just being human — these are the places where real leaders show up.” “One of the things I try to teach is that I don't fire anybody — I just process the paperwork. People fire themselves.” “EMS is a very egotistical business, and it's that ego that keeps us from asking questions. Because we don't want to look like we don't know what we're talking about in front of our peers.” Enjoying Inside EMS? Email [email protected] to share feedback or suggest a guest!

This week on the Inside EMS podcast, we’re passing the gravy and the hot takes. Cohosts Chris Cebollero and Kelly Grayson serve up a holiday plate full of EMS news — starting with FDNY’s potential EMS split. They dig into what fair pay really looks like, why some EMTs are suing for what they’re owed, and whether big hospital systems like Yale New Haven are reshaping the ambulance game for better or worse. Whether you’re working a turkey-day shift or finally off duty, this episode hits hard and gives thanks where it’s due. Quotable takeaways: “If you’re gonna be in the EMS business, you’ve gotta be in the EMS business, right?” “One thing we need to do as leaders is to make sure we don’t mess with people’s money.” “If you’re not giving adequate funding and attention to the EMS side of the house, then that’s a recipe for trouble and it can’t last.” Enjoying Inside EMS? Email [email protected] to share feedback or suggest a guest for a future episode. 

This week on the Inside EMS podcast, Dr. Peter Antevy returns for another round in the hot seat, and he’s not holding back. In this jam-packed episode, he and host Chris Cebollero tackle trending topics in prehospital care — from the expanding role of whole blood and plasma, to the frustrating gaps in the AHA’s 2025 guidelines. You’ll hear real-world success stories (like the cardiac arrest survivor who’s back on the tennis court), why dual sequential defibrillation (DSD) should already be your go-to, and the cost-benefit realities of starting a whole blood program. Dr. Antevy also dives into the science behind glycocalyx damage and how plasma could change how we treat sepsis, TBI and burns in the field. Whether you’re a medic, medical director or just passionate about pushing EMS forward, this episode delivers practical insight, bold opinions and a whole lot of inspiration. Quotable takeaways from Dr. Antevy “The medical establishment does not understand the value of what EMS brings to the table. They don't understand the complexity.” “When we said, ‘We'll do the whole blood,’ what did the surgeons do? They went up in arms: ‘What do you mean you're giving whole blood? Bring them to us. We'll give the whole blood.’ No, no, no. We are part of the chain of survival, too.” “EMS is a subspecialty in the house of medicine. We all need to rise up to make the hospital folks and the academics aware that EMS is important for trauma, for stroke, for pediatrics, for cardiac. We are the ones who can help bring up those outcomes and that's why I love this field.” Additional resources:  AHA 2025 updates are here: Cue the overreactions and the protocol rewrites On-demand: Bringing whole blood to the front lines of EMS Stop the bleed, fill the tank – The New Orleans EMS blood program Whole blood in EMS promises a revolution in resuscitation Enjoying Inside EMS? Email [email protected] to share feedback or suggest a guest for a future episode.