Insights & Commentary

Blog

Perspectives on EMS history, policy, leadership, and the future of prehospital care.

January 6, 2026 Policy

The New Drone Reality: What EMS Leaders Need to Know About the FCC's Foreign UAS Ban

New federal regulatory changes reshape the landscape for public safety drone operations, with profound implications for EMS agencies.

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December 21, 2025 EMS History

The Man in the Arena Podcast: Donnie Woodyard on EMS

A conversation with LifeVac's podcast on my EMS journey, leadership principles, and the evolving landscape of emergency medical services.

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December 17, 2025 Policy

Documentation: A Regulator's Perspective on EMS Professionalism, Accountability, and the Future

Originally published by JEMS. EMS documentation examined through a regulatory lens.

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September 25, 2025 Policy

Stuck in Tradition: How Our Past Continues to Shape EMS Today

Originally published by JEMS. Why the historical roots of modern EMS still shape our regulatory framework.

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August 2025 Policy

The EMS Compact: A Video Series on Interstate Licensure and REPLICA

Five videos explaining the Compact's legal foundations, agency affiliation, disaster response, and its role in protecting the public.

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July 28, 2025 EMS History

Bringing EMS History to Life: The Launch of the Interactive Timeline

The Interactive EMS History Timeline is live — a curated archive of 350+ milestones tracing EMS from battlefield triage to today.

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July 17, 2025 EMS History

1973: When EMS Earned a Place in Healthcare

How a series of developments converged to transform EMS from a transportation function to a recognized healthcare component.

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June 12, 2025 EMS History

Smarter Medicine, Smarter Tools: Preparing EMS for the Next Era of Patient Care

Originally published by JEMS. The pace of pharmaceutical innovation demands constant recalibration of EMS knowledge.

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June 2025 EMS History

From Founders to Future: Redesigning EMS for What Comes Next

A comprehensive keynote on redesigning EMS, featuring flying cars, AI transcribers, and lessons from Sri Lanka.

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March 2025 Technology

EMS Update 2025: Technology as a Recruitment and Retention Tool

Discussing how technology can reduce burnout and serve as a recruitment and retention tool in EMS.

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January 14, 2025 Policy

Alert Medic 1 Podcast: Discussion on the EMS Compact

A detailed podcast discussion on how the EMS Compact works, which states have adopted it, and what it means for clinicians.

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January 2025 Technology

Registry Insider Ep. 31: AI and Autonomous Vehicles in EMS

Discussing the integration of AI and autonomous vehicles into EMS and what the next 36 months could look like.

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September 15, 2024 Technology

Mediwave's Successful Launch of Purpose-Built AI for EMS: A Step Forward in Innovation

The first purpose-built AI natural language processing assistant for EMS charting, with live demo videos.

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September 10, 2024 EMS History

Exciting Podcast Appearance: Donnie Woodyard on 'Registry Insider'

A deep dive into EMS history with Bill Seifarth, Executive Director of the NREMT.

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September 2024 EMS History

Prodigy Talk: A Conversation on EMS History, Leadership, and Innovation

A two-part interview covering my journey in EMS, the profession's history, the EMS Compact, and the role of AI.

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June 5, 2024 EMS History

Explore the Rich History of Texas EMS on EMS-History.com

Spotlighting the digitized Texas EMS Magazine archive on the Portal to Texas History.

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May 15, 2024 EMS History

Freedom House Ambulance Service: 50 Years of a Delayed Promise, Now Fulfilled

Witnessing history as Pittsburgh honors the Freedom House paramedics, nearly 50 years after the original promise.

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December 11, 2023 Leadership

Beyond Calendars: Elevating Leadership Meetings from Mundane to Meaningful

Transform unproductive calendar-review meetings into strategic, engaging leadership discussions.

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December 8, 2023 Opinion

Paramedics' Actions In Elijah McClain Case Scrutinized

Originally published by JEMS. Analysis of the Elijah McClain case and its implications for EMS.

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December 5, 2023 Opinion

Between Care and Court: The Trial of Colorado Paramedics and Its Impact on the EMS Profession

Firsthand courtroom observations as two paramedics face criminal charges for a patient incident.

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November 27, 2023 Policy

Unveiling the Truth: Minnesota's EMS Report and the Need for Unified National EMS Billing Reform

Critical insights from Minnesota's ground ambulance financial evaluation with national implications.

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November 20, 2023 Leadership

Modernizing the Interview Process: Emphasizing Preparation and Insight

A forward-thinking approach to hiring that emphasizes depth and insight over superficial assessments.

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September 13, 2023 EMS History

The Star of Life — The Profession's Symbol with a Misrepresented History

Untangling the rich and often misrepresented history of the Star of Life.

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August 5, 2023 EMS History

Dr. Peter Safar Discovering Mouth to Mouth

How an Austrian anesthesiologist's research gave us modern CPR and founded the first advanced life support paramedic service.

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August 3, 2023 EMS History

My Letter to EMS Leaders, Managers, and Visionaries

A personal letter on the significance of understanding EMS history for today's leaders.

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