Ems Episodes

They respond to the worst moments of people's lives — every single shift. Then they clear the call, restock the rig, and do it again. Nobody asks if they're okay. The system just keeps moving. In this episode of Responder Resilience, we sit down with two people who decided that wasn't good enough.

Donnie Woodyard has spent his career believing EMS can be better — and working to prove it. If you've ever held multiple state licenses just to do your job, watched a talented medic leave because relicensing wasn't worth the hassle, or struggled to staff a mutual aid response with people you couldn't legally deploy across a state line — this conversation was made for you.

In this episode: • How Kevin found his way into EMS — and what kept him there for a decade • What dark humor in A Thousand Naked Strangers reveals about survival — and what clinicians misunderstand when they pathologize it • The moment Kevin knew it was time to walk away from the ambulance • Locked in a plane with Ebola, no protocols, 40,000 feet over the Atlantic — what that rescue actually looked like from the inside • Freedom House EMS: the forgotten architects of emergency medicine, and what their erasure says about how we still treat first responders today

Retired FDNY EMT Carmine Fiore lays it all bare—addiction, painkillers, the battle to hold it together at home, and the brutal truth of what first responders carry long after the shift ends.

In this encore presentation of Responder Resilience, we revisit the compelling journey of retired FDNY EMS Chief Lillian Bonsignore, who recently took on the role of Commissioner of the New York City Fire Department.

We sit down with Danielle Gustafson, the passionate Executive Director of the EMS FDNY Help Fund, a beacon of hope for New York City's Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. These first responders confront an array of obstacles—from the relentless pressures of their job to the barriers in accessing the care they desperately need.

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Anthony Almojera, a 20-year veteran Lieutenant and passionate advocate for EMS, as he sheds light on the harsh realities of a profession that battles for recognition alongside firefighters and police, exploring the mental health toll and alarming turnover rates that have surged in the wake of the pandemic.

Tune in as John Moon, retired Assistant Chief of Pittsburgh E.M.S. and a former Freedom House Ambulance Service paramedic, shares the powerful story of Freedom House, the first Black-led EMS organization in the U.S.

In this impactful episode, we address the vital mental health challenges faced by EMS and first responders, including post-traumatic stress and the effects of "buffing" calls—responding to emergencies off-duty.

Daniel Sundahl, acclaimed artist and retired paramedic/firefighter, presents "Post-Traumatic Growth—Finding Benefits Within Challenges." He will take us on a visual narrative of resilience and transformation as we view and listen to his personal story of post-traumatic growth. Through a powerful narrative interwoven with his unique photo art, Daniel shares his transformative journey from battling the demons of occupational stress to finding solace and strength in his creative expressions. Join us as we explore the intersection of art, trauma, and personal growth, and learn how to find benefits within the challenges we face. ​Don't miss this opportunity to connect with Daniel's moving story and discover ways to navigate your own journey toward mental well-being.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with retired Chief Lillian Bonsignore, a trailblazing 31-year veteran of the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) who served as the FDNY Chief of EMS Operations from 2019-2022, a period that encompassed the harrowing COVID-19 pandemic. As the highest-ranking Officer in the EMS command and the first female to achieve a 4-star rank in the history of FDNY, Chief Bonsignore's career is a testament to resilience, leadership, and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.

On this special edition of Responder Resilience, we invite you to join an enlightening masterclass tailored for clinicians, featuring trauma therapists Dr. Nicole Navega, PhD, LCSW, and Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW, EMT. With their extensive backgrounds in providing therapy to EMS and 911 emergency professionals, Nicole and Bonnie bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the unique challenges these first responders face. Whether you are just beginning your journey in working with first responders or already have an established practice, today's conversation promises to be incredibly insightful. Nicole and Bonnie will delve into the critical aspects of offering empathetic and effective therapeutic support to these essential professionals.

This exclusive episode highlights powerful stories and innovations from emergency medical services (EMS) professionals. It includes insights from Daniel Sundahl, Jason Patton, Bryony Gilbey, Eric Chase, Derek O. Hanley, Dr. Peter Antevy and MaKenzie Tiegs emphasizing teamwork, mental health support, and systemic challenges in EMS. We also spotlight David Dufek, founder of XDcuff, a patented, stretcher-integrated limb restraint designed to cut application times, reducing providers exposure to accidental assault and improving speed of care.

In this episode, we delve into the powerful stories behind "Photos From the Front Lines" with photographer, paramedic and disabled veteran combat medic, Derek O. Hanley.

🎧 In this episode of Responder Resilience podcast, we have the incredible Bryony Gilbey, director and producer of the documentary film 'Honorable but Broken: EMS in Crisis'.

Join us on Responder Resilience Podcast as we dive deep into the challenging experiences of first responders. Our guest, MaKenzie Tiegs of Raw Thoughts Podcast fearlessly explores what being RAW means, and shares her genuine willingness to delve into raw and sensitive topics.

Join us on Responder Resilience podcast for an insightful conversation with Rick Binder, CEO of PHASE International. Discover how chronic pain impacts responder resilience and learn effective prevention strategies.

Check out this inspiring episode of Responder Resilience where we dive deep into the power of art therapy with Daniel Sundahl, a paramedic and talented photo artist. Throughout his more than two decades of service as a firefighter and paramedic, Daniel has experienced countless traumatic calls that have taken a toll on his mental health. Using his unique style of photo art, Daniel processes these incidents and creates powerful portraits that capture the dramatic impact of the trauma.

Join Speaker-Educator-Podcaster Eric Chase of EMSIMPROV on Responder Resilience as he shares how improv can help first responders stay present, improve concentration, and sharpen focus. With his experience in Military, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighting, and EMS, Eric will guide you through the powerful tool of improv.

Join us in this episode of Responder Resilience, as we hear from Jim Marshall, CEO and Cofounder of the 911 Training Institute. Jim specializes in providing science-driven training, tools, and resources that foster the optimal well-being of 9-1-1 professionals. With his expertise, 9-1-1 Professionals can confidently manage calls involving mental crises and suicide. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation about serving the unique psychological needs of the Very First Responders who serve and protect us every day!

In this episode, Bonnie and David speak with Dr. Peter M. Antevy about managing mental health challenges at critical incidents, the story behind creating the Handtevy App, and how it saves lives and significantly reduces medication errors.

Award-winning paramedic and educator Nick Paproski talks with David about a vital and elusive commodity: SLEEP.

We speak with Steven Wilcox Director of Education for FrontlineCT about their first responder peer support program and the stigma around first responder mental health.

On this episode, we’ll be speaking with John Lynch, Town of Wilton, CT Chief of Police & Emergency Management Director, and Nick Paproski, Director Of ALS Operations at Vintech Management Services, about what you can do to become an engaged, proactive leader.