In this special EMS Week 2025 episode, hosts John, Terry, and Kathia come together to celebrate the individuals, teams, and institutions that define the heart of emergency medical services. The conversation begins with a look back at the origins of EMS Week, first recognized in 1974 under President Gerald Ford, and how it has grown into a national moment of reflection, gratitude, and recognition. This year’s theme, “We Care. For Everyone.” sets the tone as the hosts explore the evolution of the profession and the path forward for EMS leaders, providers, and educators alike.

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The guests have infiltrated the show and brought an innocent bystander in the form of Surry County EMS Director, Eric Southern. The discussion will take you through growing pains of a rural EMS system and into the modern identity of the profession as well strategies of the ongoing burnout problem.

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John and Terence delve into North Carolina House Bill 975, which proposes allowing EMS personnel to carry pepper spray while on duty, either openly or concealed. The bill aims to prevent the North Carolina Medical Care Commission and the Office of EMS from enforcing rules that prohibit EMS workers from carrying pepper spray as permitted under existing state law.

John and Terence discuss the potential implications of this legislation, including how it might affect EMS protocols, training requirements, and interactions with patients and law enforcement. They also consider the balance between ensuring EMS personnel's safety and maintaining the trust and comfort of the communities they serve. With their combined expertise in EMS education and administration, they provide a nuanced analysis of how HB 975 could reshape safety measures and operational policies within North Carolina's EMS systems.

Tune in for an insightful conversation on the evolving landscape of EMS safety and the potential impacts of this proposed legislation.

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