What JEMS has meant to EMS

Emergency! ran as part of NBC’s Saturday-night lineup for six entire seasons, and it was a popular series, sometimes winning its time slot against CBS’s popular Saturday-night comedy block, which included All in the Family

A funny side note is that producer Jack Web had a habit of naming characters after the show’s technical advisors, so he told Cinader that the rambunctious young paramedic played by Randolph Mantooth would be named Jimmy Page. When Jim Page was told about the character naming, he went to Cinader and asked him to please get the name changed because some officials in the summon LA County Fire Department we’re not enamored with this new paramedic concept and with him for pushing it.

So, the next day Jack Webb agreed and had him change Randy’s character name from “Jimmy Page” to “Johnny Gage”

As we all know, the show took off like crazy and Emergency! was widely credited by observers as one of the most important efforts to promote the widespread adoption of paramedic services by fire departments and hospitals in the U.S.

LA County was not alone in developing programs to train and utilize paramedics in the field. Other EMS systems in the United States were simultaneously instituting paramedic level care in large urban centers such as Miami, Seattle, Columbus, and Jacksonville. 

As Jim predicted, his chance for further promotion in the LA County Fire Department diminished as the show became popular and paramedics were to become a permanent fixture in LA County, so he retired early and moved to North Carolina to become the State’s first EMS Director (“Chief”). 

Jim, who was also an attorney and a stickler for policies and procedures, was soon confronted by a high percentage of new EMT students who had difficulty reading and writing. They, and their services, petitioned to have the EMT test read to them, but Jim refused to do so citing the need for EMTs to be literate to be able to read prescription bottles, hazardous material sheets, road maps and other essential items they would encounter in the field. 

The squads politicized the issue and so the Governor gave in and fired Jim. Jim always said that everyone should get fired once in their life so they can adjust their path and career goals.

He moved to New Jersey to head up the ACT (Advanced Coronary Treatment) Foundation, funded by big pharmaceutical companies to advance the idea of paramedics in every community. The New Jersy First Aid Squads, long the respected providers of exceptional basic life support, were boxed out of entering the paramedic realm because legislation enacted in the State of New Jersey limited paramedic operations to hospitals. That, plus a long tradition of independent service to their service areas made them resistive to the concept of paramedics being assigned to calls in their service areas. So, Jim Page and the ACT Foundation pushing for paramedics in New Jersey and throughout America did not sit well with the New Jersey First Aid Council. They petitioned the New Jersey pharmaceutical companies to fire Jim and stop pushing for paramedics in New Jersey. 

The move did not work but it fired Jim up. He knew he had to start journal to educate EMS providers and managers and confront the many issues that were surfacing in the development of BLS and ALS systems throughout the county and the world.

Page was a contributing writer and advisor to the magazine Emergency, published by Glen Hare and his medical device company, DynaMed, when he met the magazine’s young managing editor, Keith Griffiths in 1978. He told Keith he wanted to start his own magazine and convinced him to join him when he did.   

So, to establish a national voice for EMS and dig into the real issues involved in EMS System development, Page purchased Paramedics International, a quarterly Magazine produced for several years by California paramedic Ron Simmons, for $1.00.   

So JEMS was born in October of 1979 with Jim Page as publisher and Keith Griffiths as founding editor. He used his ACT Foundation salary to fund the development of JEMS in it early stages.

Page and Griffiths published the last issue of Paramedics International in November of 1979, and converted it to JEMS, with the first issue out on the streets in March of 1980. 

In addition to JEMS, Page and Griffiths started the trade conference EMS Today, Fire-Rescue Magazine, the peer reviewed journal Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, created consulting and book divisions, among other offerings and magazines focused on the public safety and emergency care market. 

They sold the company to the Times Mirror Corporation in 1993 and became part of their Mosby Publishing Division, which provided health-care publications and textbooks, many in the emergency field. Mosby sols JEMS to Elsevier Publishing and, after a few years, Elsevier sold JEMS to PennWell Publishing which was bought by Clarion Events.

Clarion Events, headquartered in London, is an international business, with a portfolio of events and media brands across a range of vertical markets and employees based in offices worldwide who specialize in delivering first class marketing, networking and information solutions in high value sectors, both in mature and emerging geographies.

Clarion organizes both live and digital events, attracting buyers with spending and decision-making power who are looking for solutions and innovations to help move their businesses forward. Putting them in contact with the providers of these solutions, and with each other, is our overriding objective, always. So the JEMS, EMs Today Conference, Fire Engineering Magazine and its FDIC Conference are a natural for Clarion Events. 

Clarion ceased the publication of JEMS in paper format and turned their efforts to building a robust digital site for JEMS that could publish timely and important topcs on daily basis versus a monthly magazine.  

Jim Page died in 2006, but his legacy lives on as the “father of modern EMS.” Griffiths went on to be co-founder of the RedFlash Group, a marketing and communication firm focused on public safety, and now in its 20th year.

Page, a brilliant writer, speaker, fire chief and attorney, had a vision for JEMS as a transformative publication, which tackled the tough issues of the day head-on. To show their intent, Page and Griffiths featured all their competition on the first cover and announced their intention to have a Journal, not a magazine, that told it like it was and called for change.  And that they did. He and Griffiths achieved that by recruiting some of the brightest minds in the business to write for and, in many cases, work for the publications.

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More on JEMS’s Contribution to EMS

In our inaugural issue of EMS HISTORIAN – The Journal of the National EMS Museum, we inadvertently changed the intended title of the article by A.J. Heightman (Page 24), “What JEMS has meant to EMS”, to “What Jim Page has meant to EMS”. The intent was to illustrate the visionary JEMS articles and editorial supplements that have helped shape and change the way we deliver prehospital care since JEMS’ inception in March of 1980 and not just focus on some of Jim Page’s many legendary contributions to the EMS industry.

We omitted the dozens of examples to help you see how visionary, and sometimes controversial, articles, authors and non-traditional ideas have helped guide EMS system development. We also omitted a 550-word special sidebar article that features comments by 21 key EMS leaders and contributors in a sidebar article entitled, “In Their Own Words: Reflections on the Impact of JEMS over the Years,” that we know you will like to read to get their personal account of what JEMS has meant to EMS.

We have now placed the entire 14,000-word article in our Archives section so you can read these important examples (shown by month and year of them being published in JEMS – beginning in the inaugural March 1980 edition), see how many of the great authors’ ideas, concepts and enhancements were presented, in some cases years ahead of their adoption, and use the referenced articles in your future efforts to drive positive change in EMS.

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The legacy of JEMS and the vision of Jim Page, Keith Griffiths and I can be seen in the timeliness of the articles and issues that graced the pages of JEMS. What follows is a snippet of examples.  

Problems and Progress in Recertification: A Roundtable Discussion – featuring Debra Cason, RN, Paramedic Instructor, University of Texas Health Science Center, Dallas, Texas; Norman McSwain, MD, editor of the EMT Journal; A.J. Heightman, EMT-PII, Assistant Executive Director, Easter PA EMS Council; Jim Doernococeur, EMT-P, Paramedic Field Instructor/Coordinator, Denver Dept. of Health and Hospital; Kara Doyle, MICU Coordinator, Kishwaukee Community Hospital, Dekalb, Ill.; Carol Hagberg, RN, MICN, Course Coordinator, Paramedic School, , Daniel Freeman Hospital, Inglewood, CA; and Lymann C. Long, REMT-A, EMT-AD. EMT Program Instructor/Coordinator, Westark Community College, Fort Smith, Arkansas – March 1980 (Inaugural Issue)   

Initially Yours:“Curb Credentialism”is the Battle Cry, But How Many are Listening? • Sinclair Germaine (Unknown to JEMS readers at the time, this was a fictitious name used by Jim Page in the early days to “stir the pot” of EMS. He wrote that Sinclair was “our roving reporter” … “a veteran observer and reporter on matters of health care” who “writes under his real name for a national publication in the New York area.”) – March 1980 (Inaugural Issue) 

The Publisher’s Page: Challenging the Cowboys • Jim Page addresses the need for the private ambulance industry to “get off its duff and create an educational program and institute for its member.” He concluded by stating, “Unless the Private ambulance Industry can Mobilize to serve its members’ informational and educational needs, many of them will follow the dusty path of the cowboys – into extinction. – April 1980 

The Politics in EMS: How to Cope with the Never-ending Battle • Jim Page – April 1980

SWAT Team Paramedics: A Few Bellingham, Washington, Paramedics Receive Special Training • Robert Neale – April 1980

A Videotape Program for EMT Training: Developed for the EMT Apprenticeship Program by Trevor Hughes, MD • Carolyn J. Levey and Robert T. Buckley – April 1980

An Impressive Commitment – Jim Page introduces the world to the new National Association of EMTs [NAEMT] saying, “Professional associations tend to be a little like people. They spring forth with the innocence of an infant. They stumble and fall a lot as they learn to walk. They make lots of noise through their adolescent years. They mature and mellow as they pass through adulthood. And, almost inevitably, they lapse into senility. We’ve been watching one of those associations since it was born in January, 1976. It’s the National Association of EMTs. May 1980

The Public Utility Model: Part 1, Measuring Your System: The First of a Three-Part Series on a new Approach to Administering Prehospital Medical Care • Jack Stout – May 1980 [Learn more about Jack Stout in The National EMS Museum Archives]

CPR Revolution on the Horizon: New Theories and Discoveries on the Mechanism of CPR •  Sinclair Germaine – May 1980

THE PUBLISHER’S PAGE: The Call That Didn’t Come – Jim Page chides New York City to correct their deficient dispatch system after the system that paramedic Bob Schneider served for six years “failed him in his time of greatest need” because of a 50-minute delay in dispatch “of some anonymous dispatcher in Queens” – May 1980 

Anxiety in the Streets: Coping with Your own Anxiety Helps You Deal Better with Your Patients • Thom Dick – June 1980

Advanced Trauma Life Support: The new ATLS Class sets New Standards for the Delivery of Emergency Care • Ann Wells – June 1980

The Public Utility Model: Part 2, The Principal Elements: The Second of a Three-Part Series on a new Approach to Administering Prehospital Medical Care • Jack Stout – June 1980

A Dream Gone Awry – Jim Page explains the chaos occurring as jealousy and politics threatens to kill the Federal EMS program leaving “lots of good [to] lose their jobs if their EMS projects go from funded to un-funded.” He concludes this editorial saying bthat, “During the past six years (1974-1980), possibly inspired by the federal initiative, state-of-the art EMS has become a reality in most areas of our country.” – June 1980 

INNOVATIONS: The Short Backboard • Graham Johnson – June 1980

Who’s in Charge • Jim Page editorializes on on-scene confrontations between various agency responders and the need for integrated and cooperative incident command, noting, “Nearly everyone has a story to tell about confrontations with other members of the ‘team’. Yet nobody reports a clear victory ─ one in which the patient benefits. August 1980

The Public Utility Model: Part 3, The Major Constraints: The Third of a Three-Part Series on a new Approach to Administering Prehospital Medical Care • Jack Stout – July 1980

“Third Service” EMS: A five-year projection that measures the cost of conversion • Staff Report – August 1980

Death, Police and Casualty Care: A Common Sense Approach to Cooperation Between Police and Emergency Care Personnel on the Scene • Robert Ciupa – August 1980

 

TRICKS OF THE TRADE – Faster than Medicine: Rapid Relief from Acute Pulmonary Edema (Use of an Elder or Robertshaw valve to relieve breathing difficulties for patients who will not tolerate having their faces covered) • Thom Dick – August 1980  

CPR IN TRANSPORT – Survival Technologies announces their Life Support Litter, a “compact, light-weight, self-contained system for performing mechanical CPR”. Designed to help crews in “transporting a victim from a third-floor walk-upor a rough ride over bumpy rural roads”, the all-in-one system featured the HLR (Heart- Lung Resuscitator) a CPR Compressor and a design that resulted in quick hyperextension of the neck. It also featured a volume cycled resuscitator; adjustable back support that allowed the patient to be raised to a sitting position; a self-contained oxygen system that was connected to auxiliary oxygen outlets that powered suction, the HLR, an oxygen flow meter or demand valve; and IV pole; and heavy-duty restraint straps that assured patient movement was eliminated – Sept. 1980, Pg.17

THE PUBLISHER’S PAGE: One Year Ago – While reflecting on the first year of transitioning Paramedics International to JEMS, Jim wrote about he and Keith Griffiths’ promise to use “a touch of irreverence” in JEMS and, in describing Sinclair Germaine (Jim’s Pseudonym name as a secret columnist) “We’d like to tell you all about him, but what can we say about a guy who writes in the nude and delivers his manuscripts on a bicycle at 5:00 a.m.?”)   

Hospitals & Helicopters: The Ups and Downs of Care from the Air – Hospital-based helicopter services are expanded, and feeling growing pains • Kate Boyd – Nov. 1980

A Wondrous … And Dangerous Thing: The Hazards of Oxygen in the Patient Compartment • Jim Page – Nov. 1980

Look Out Behind You! A Pictorial Demonstration of How to Protect Yourself from Back Injuries • Thom Dick – Dec. 1980

Patient Consent and the Law – Part 1: General Principles: A paramedic-trained Attorney takes a Realistic Look at the Principles and Problems of Patient Consent • R. Jack Ayres, Jr, – Dec. 1980

Standardized Skills Testing: A New Program for Evaluating EMT’s, Paramedics and Medical Radio Operators – A Competency-based Testing Procedure • Staff Report – Dec 1980

Dispatch Priority Training: Strengthening the weak link • Jeff Clawson, MD – Feb 1981

The Mentally Disoriented Patient: A Legal Model for Field Management • Steve Scarano – March 1981

So You Want to be an EMS Leader • Jim Page – March 1981

Field Management of Shock: A Practical Approach to Treating Shock in the Field, with an Emphasis on the Use of the MAST Suit • Robert H. Logan – June 1981

Emergency Care in Chicago: An ill Wind Blows • James Ylisela, Jr. – June 1981

Spinal Cord Injury: Preventing Disability through Proper Assessment • Thomas Kelley, MD – August 1981

The Impact of Trauma Centers: What’s the Fair Way to Designate? • Harry Teter, Jr. – Oct. 1981

A Critical Look at the New Ambulance Specifications • Fred McPeck – Jan. 1982

Terrorism and EMS: A Security Issue – How Immune are Emergency Services to Being Unwittingly Used as the Perfect Cover? • B.M. Turner, PhD – Feb. 1982 

Cricothryrotomy- Practice Makes Perfect • Michael Frank, MD – Feb. 1982

Telelecture: Providing Effective Continuing Education [a focus on how Idaho conducted teleconference education in 1982] • Paul B. Anderson – March 1982

Comparing Ventilatory Techniques during CPR •Saul Lande, MD, PhD, et al – May 1982

Designating the Resource Hospital: A Success Story • Richard Narad – May 1982

Handling the Suicide Call: Basic Guidelines for Handling the Suicide Caller • Gary Rawlings and Philip Hoile – June 1982

Your Friend, The Microcomputer: An Enthusiastic Look at How These Small (and inexpensive) Wonders can Help Your Program • Bruce Roemmelt – July 1982

Shiny Side Up: Preparing for Your Own [Ambulance] Accident • Thom Dick – July 1982 

The Private Ambulance Industry Comes of Age: A Blueprint for the Future as a Result of an American Ambulance Association Needs Assessment Workshop • Staff Report – Sept. 1982

New Directions in Healthcare Financing: An Innovative Billing System Using Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) with Important Implications for all Areas of Health Care • VincentdePaul Robbins – Sept. 1982

Continuing Education: The Community Hospital’s Role • Frank Keslof – Oct. 1982

Educating the ED Nurse: The Graduate ED Nurse is Generally ill Prepared to Assume the Responsibility of Evaluating and Advising EMTs about Basic Life Support Treatment • Richard F. Edlich, MD, et al. – Oct 1982

The Light-and-Siren Syndrome • Editorial – Oct. 1982

DRGs: A Fiscal Foundation for Advanced Prehospital Care • Robert J. Freeman – Oct. 1982

Standing Orders vs. Voice Control • Richard Hunt, MD; Robert Bass, MD; et.al – Nov. 1982

Using Physicians on Scene • Jack Ballinger – Nov. 1982

Computer Management of Prehospital Information • Joanne M. Bell, et al. – Dec. 1982

An Analysis of Costs vs. Benefits in ALS Services • GMDR. B. Thomas Scheib – Jan 1983

Stout’s Standards of Excellence for Pre­ hospital EMS Systems • Jack Stout – Jan 1983

Medical Priority Dispatch – It Works! • Jeff Clawson, MD – Feb 1983

Financial Strategies for Surviving the ‘80s – Part 1 of a 4-part Series: A Finance Manage Discusses Why Most Systems Have Been Financially Foolish in the Past, and Why None can Afford to be so Foolish in the Future • Alan Jameson – March 1983

Picking a Winner: Candidate Selection for Paramedic Training • Tarry Q. Kemp – April 1983

Self-Instruction for Paramedics: An Alternative to the Standard Lecture • Michael Friedman and Gene Weatherall – April 1983

Effectiveness of Cervical Collars Questioned (Written in follow-up to the December 1982 Spinal Immobilization Article (Part 1 – Cervical Collars) • Norman E. McSwain Jr. MD – April 1983, Pgs 11-12 

Financial Strategies for Surviving the ‘80s – Part 2 of a 4-part Series: Billing, Collections and Accounts Receivable • Alan Jameson – April 1983

System Status Management: The Strategy of Ambulance Placement – Whether Elaborate or Simple, Every Service Has a System to Determine Where the Ambulances will be When The Next Call Comes in. The Question is, does it Make Sense? • Jack Stout – May 1983

Financial Strategies for Surviving the ‘80s – Part 3 of a 4-part Series: Creating Financial Stability – Readers are Guided through the Complex Array of Financial Tools and Techniques Used for Taking Control of the Intersection Where Income Meets Expense • Alan Jameson – May 1983

The Ambulance Report as Legal Document • Peter B. King – June 1983

Financial Strategies for Surviving the ‘80s – Part 4 of a 4-part Series: Cost Control – How to Keep Your Service Cost Effective While Maintaining High Performance ALS and Closely Monitored Response Times • Alan Jameson – June 1983

Oxygen Administration: Problems and Pitfalls to Avoid • Richard W. Shelly, RRT, EdD – July 1983

An Ounce of Intervention: Developing a Standardized Training Program for Behavioral Emergencies • John Shybut, PhD and Ron Carter

The Public/Private Interface • Jack Stout – July 1983

Infection Control: EMS reacts and Over-reacts to AIDS panic • Brad Smith – Aug. 1983

Updrafts: New Rx for Respiratory Distress • Greg Thrall EMT-III, Dean Ewell, RT and S. Freedman, MD – August 1983

Showdown in Fort Worth • Jack Stout – August 1983

Do Not Resuscitate: Administrative and Ethical Concerns in Prehospital Arrests – The ACT Foundation Issues Policy Statement • Paul McCarthy – Sept. 1983

Trauma Care: Evaluating Effectiveness with the Injury Severity Score • Ann Fedderson – Sept. 1983

The Hypothermic Code: Reduced Metabolic Demands for Oxygen in the severely hypothermic Patient Make it Difficult to Determine if there is an Absence of Pulse and Respirations  • Cmdr. Alan Steinman, MD – Oct. 1983

Pitfalls in Disaster Management • Ameen Ramzy, MD and Lt. Gary Warren – Oct 1983

Simulation in Training: Realism in Training Enhances the Response Capabilities of the Student • Frank Dawson – Oct. 1983

When You’re That Good, It’s Hard to be Afraid • Jack Stout – Oct. 1983 

Reading the Subtle Hemodynamic Signs • Jim Dernocoeur – Oct. 1983

Patterns of Trauma: The Forgotten Element of Assessment • VincentdePaul Robbins – Nov. 1983

The Holiday Depression Syndrome – Keith Neely – Dec. 1983

Airway Controversies • Ronald Stewart, MD – Jan 1984

Brain Resuscitation • Marvin Birnbaum, MD – Oct 1984

EMTs and Medical Control: There should be an Identifiable Medical Director for Each and Every Ambulance Service • Mark C. Henry, MD and Edward R. Stapleton, EMT-P – Jan. 1985

The Hydroplane: Anatomy of an Ambulance Accident • Steve Scarano – Jan 1985

Resuscitating the Terminally Ill • Loren Marshall  – April 1985

Organ Procurement: Examining the EMTs Role • John C. Lewis – April 1985

Why Good Samaritan Laws Don’t Work • Roger D. Curry, JD – August 1985

A Window to the Brain: A Closer Look at What the Pupil Teaches • Stephen S. Solomon, OD – Nov. 1985

EMS Performance Management: Measuring Your System’s Success • Terry Smith – Nov. 1985

Customized Transport: Bigger is Not Always Better – Designing the Ultimate Ambulance • Paul Rolandelli – Dec. 1985

Non-invasive Pacing: A Prehospital ALS Alternative • Al Weigel, MEd, EMT-P, and Roger D. White, MD – Dec. 1985

Making EMT-D Work – a 2-Part Series • Richard O. Cummins, MD, et al – Feb. & March 1986

Twenty Years Later: Reflections on the Past & Future of EMS • James O. Page; David Boyd, MD; ET AL – May 1986

Telephone Treatment Protocols • Jeff Clawson, MD – May 1986

Ambulance Bypass • John Mackey, MD – August 1986

How to Handle Big Bodies • Kate Dernocoeur, EMT-P – Sept. 1986

To Fly or Not to Fly • David Sakrison – Nov. 1986

The Homeless: Assuring their Adequate Care • John P. Sullivan, MA, EMT-P – Nov. 1986

Prehospital Thrombolytic Therapy • Mikel Rothenberg, MD – Dec. 1986

Epidemic Hysteria • Ronald Roth, MD & Cindy Aarons, MD – March 1987

AIDS in the Workplace • H. Hunter Handsfield, MD & Arthur L. Kellerman, MD, MPH – April 1987

Intraosseous Infusion in the Field • Craig Stoup, BS, EMT-P – May 1987 

Focus on Fire Service EMS – Special Issue – June 1987

The Revolution in Early Defibrillation: The Survival Advantage • Mary Newman – June 1987

Tracking the Wild Ambulance Fleet (a 2-Part Series) • Loren Marshall – Aug. & Sept. 1987

Protect While You Provide: Focus on Infection Control • Carol Thompson & Alfred Gervin, MD – Nov. 1987

The Right to Die [Living Wills] • Peter King – Nov 1987

The Black and White of Private EMS • Nancy Peterson – Oct. 1988

The Dark Side: The Role of Privatization in EMS • Thomas H. Swan – Oct. 1988

STRESS: The History, Status and Future of CISD • Jeffrey T. Mitchell, PhD – Nov. & Dec. 1988

Anatomy of a Lawsuit: The Real-world Aftermath of a Spinal Injury • James O. Page – Apr 1989

Total Patient Care: Treating your Patient as a Person • Kate Dernocoeur and Oscar Thurnher – May1989

Ethics in EMS: Making Choices You and Your Patients Can Live With • Jeffrey Salamone, REMT-P – May 1989

Dangerous Detours: Ambulance Diversions Stall Patient Delivery • Marion Angell Garza – July 1989

When ACLS Fails: Why Transport • Marion Angell Garza – Sept. 1989

Save Your Back: Injury Prevention for EMS Providers • Casey Terribilini, DC & Kate Dernocoeur, EMT-P – Oct. 1989

The Key Method for EMS System Appraisal: One Approach to the Gold Standard • Kenan Baldridge, MA, AEMT – Jan 1990

Cellular Technology: Revolutionizing EMS communications; also: Tucson FD Goes High Tech • Marion Angell Garza – May 1990

Assessing Pulse Oximetry in the Field • Bill Mackreth – June 1990

True Colors: Measuring End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide • Bruce Goldfarb & Harold Cohen – June 1990

Dispatch Life Support: Establishing Standards that Work • Jeff Clawson, MD, & Scott Hauret, AEMT – July 1990

Tackling Stress Management from all Sides • Steven Hawks, EdD, EMT-I & Ronald Hammond – Sept. 1990

Easing Intubation with Succinylcholine • Michael Berve, EMT-P & Todd LeDuc – Nov 1990

EMS Under Siege: A Tale of Four Cities • Robert Ball, EMT-P – April 1991

The Esophageal Tracheal Combitube: An Alternate Route to Airway Management • Jon Johnson, MD, FACEP & Gary Atherton, EMT-P – May 1991

Discipline with Due Process … also: You’re Flred! • James O. Page – July 1991

Comparing CPR during Ambulance Transport: Manual vs. Mechanical Methods • Edward Stapleton, AAS, EMT-P – Sept 1991

Burning the EMS Candle: EMS Shifts and Worker Fatigue • Russ McCallion, EMT-P & J. Fazackerley, EMT-P, MPP – Oct 1991

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder • Joyce O’Rear, EDD – Jan 1992

Clot Busters: The Future of EMS Thrombolytics • E. Handberg, RN, EMT-P, MSN; T. Keith EMT-P, & P. Rucinski, MD – April 1992 .

Is EMS Endangering Kids? • Marion Angell Garza – Dec. 1992

Brain Attack: Clot Busters Tackle Stroke • Marion Angell Garza – April 1992

It Can Happen to You: The Montecalvo Story • Lee Reeder – April 1993

Fear in the Workplace, Part 1& Part II • James Eastham, JR, SCD, & Bruce J. Walz, PhD, NREMT-P – May & June 1993

Treatment without Transport: Expanded-Scope Concept Gains Momentum • Marion Angell Garza – April 1994

Cooperation [EMS Cooperatives]: An Alternative to Consolidation or Bankruptcy • Geoffrey Cady – April 1994

The Origins of Utstein • Richard Cummins, MD – May 1994

Pulse Oximetry in the Field: A Breath of Fresh Air • Denis Meade, EMT-P, & Kevin Ferrell, EMT-P, RN – May 1994 

Pulse Oximeters: Saving More than Lives • William Koenig, MD – May 1994

Body Armor: What it is and what it Does • Donald Walsh, MS, EMT-P and Julia Hagen – Sept. 1994

Why Wait? Early Defibrillation Must be a Top Priority • Roger D. White, MD – Feb. 1995

The 15 Most Significant Influences in EMS in the Past 15 Years • JEMS Staff Report – March 1995

CO2 Monitoring: Monitoring End-Tidal CO2; Its Benefits and Limitations in the Prehospital setting • Robert Welch, MD, FACEP – March1995

Rapid Intubation: Don’t fight it! • Mike Hartley, REMT-P – April 1995

Risky Business: Why EMS Needs Risk Management • David Harrawood, RM, REMT-P; Patrick Shepler, RM, NREMT-P & Michael Gunderson, REMT-P – July 1995

Medic Suicide: What can be Done? • Jeffrey T. Mitchell, PhD – Nov. 1995  

Red River Project: How Expanded Scope EMS is working in Red River, N.M. • Steve Shoup, EMT-I – Dec. 1995

Opinions Clash Over Labor Unions: A Point-Counterpoint Debate Over the Merits of EMS Unions • Tony J. Bernardo, AEMT-P, & Eric D. Miller, MA, EMT-P – Jan. 1996

EMS Agenda of the Future: Leaders Ponder the Future of EMS at National Meeting • Lauren Simon Ostrow – Jan. 1996

Obtaining a Valid AMA [Against Medical Advice]: Find out how Against Medical Advice Forms can help providers • Stephen Miller – Feb. 1996 

Airway another Way: When, Why and How to Intubate Using Blind Nasotracheal Intubation • Michael Click, EMT-P

The U.S. EMS Market Report: One-of-a-Kind Research Reveals Interesting Insights About Who’s Providing EMS in the United States • A.J. Heightman – March 1996

Are Paramedics an Endangered Species: Five Distinguished Experts Answer the Question – March 1996

Providers Primer on Managed Care: Learn the Basis of Managed Care What Impact it May Have on Prehospital Emergency Medicine • John Becknell and Lauren Simon Ostrow – March 1996

CO2 Monitoring: Monitoring end-tidal CO2: Its Benefits and Limitations in the Prehospital Setting • Roberyt Welch, MD, FACEP – March 1996 

Military Medic: The Original Expanded Scope EMS Provider • Robert A. DeLorenzo, MD – April 1996

Utstein Applied • Lauren Simon Ostrow – May 1996

Racing the Clock: Should all EMS Services be using 12-lead electrocardiograms? • D. Bruce Foster, DO, & Brian Mitchell, EMT-P – May 1996

The EMD as a Medical Professional • Jeff Clawson, MD; Robert Martin, Bill Lloyd, MBA; Mike Smith & Geoff Cady – May 1996

Can Empathy and Compassion Be Taught? • Mike Taigman – June 1996

What’s so Great about Phoenix Fire: The Reasons that this Fire Service EMS System is so Well-Respected • Lauren Simon Ostrow – July 1996

Fire EMS Making Cents in Houston • Paul E. Pepe, MD, MPH – July 1996

Care on a Shoestring: Prescription for Membership Drive Success: Nonprofit Fundraising Can Help Volunteer Organizations. Find out How • Debbie McDowell, MSA, EMT-P – Sept. 1996  

Retrograde Intubation for Difficult Airways: Discover When it’s Appropriate to use this Procedure • Todd J. LeDuc, BA, NREMT-P, and Jay Desphante, MD

The Advancing Anatomy of an Ambulance: Ambulance Manufacturers are Starting to Take Provider Comfort into Consideration • Marc-David Monk, NREMT-I – Oct. 1996

The Scientific Evidence for CISM • Jeffrey Mitchell, PhD & George Everly, Jr., PhD – Jan. 1997

An Awkward Position: Restraints and Sudden Death • Deanna Abdon-Beckman – March 1997

Cardiac Serum Markers: Fact or Folly? – These Simple Blood Tests can Help Providers Identify Acute MI, but Should They Necessitate a Change in Treatment? • Todd J. LeDuc, BA, NREMT-P – April 1997

With’ems: the Rest of the Story – Research looks at the Importance of Patients’ Most Important Assets- the Family and Friends Who are “With ‘em” •  Carl F. Welser, M.Div, MS, EMT-S, and Jennifer Holmes, RN, BSN, CEN, MHSA – April 1997 

The DNA of Dispatch: An Industry Expert Explains Reasons for a Unified Medical Dispatch Protocol • Jeff J. Clawson, MD – May 1997

The Benevolent Dictator: A New Breed of Medical Director is Guiding the Future of EMS • John Becknell – July 1997

Chemically Induced Paralysis • David LaCombe, ET AL – June 1997

Counting Drops: Learn How to Calculate IV Drips the Easy Way • Alan Mikolaj, NREMT-P – July 1997

Capturing the Competitive Edge: Measuring Your Performance by Benchmarking Your Ambulance Service against the Industry’s Best Practices (A 2-Part series) • Jack L. Stout – Sept. & Oct. 1997

Like a Family: EMS [Volunteers] in the Middle of Nowhere • Treena Herington – Oct. 1997 

In Search of Grant Money: Learn How to Gain Funding from Foundations and Other Charitable Organizations • Debbie McDowell, MSA, NREMT-P – Oct. 1997

Overtime Pay: How the FLSA Affects You: An Attorney Helps You Understand the Sometimes Complicated World of Overtime Compensation • Jeffrey Chamberlain, JD – nov. 1997

Re-Engineering the Nation’s Emergency Cardiac Response Systems • Todd Leduc, BA, NREMT-P – May 1998

The Truth about ET Tube Movement; also: Anchor the Airway • Paul Matera, MD – May 1998

CPAP: A Supportive Adjunct for Congestive Heart Failure in the Prehospital Setting • D. Hastings; J. Monahan; C. Gray; D. Pavlakovich & P. Bartram – Sept. 1998

Pain! Understanding and reducing patient discomfort in the field • Paul Paris, MD & Paul Phrampus, MD – April 1999

Tactical Medics: Front-Line Medicine Evolves as a Specialty • Barry D. Smith – May 1999 

Domestic Violence (Special 4-article series) – June 1999 

Close Encounters: Medical Considerations for Confined Space Operations • Chase Sargent, MPA, NREMT-P – July 1999

My Aching Back – The Effects of System Status Management and Ambulance Design on EMS Personnel • Paul Morneau, BS & J. Peter Stothart, PhD – August 1999

Crew Comfort: Engineering Comfort into EMS Vehicles • A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P – August 1999 

Avoiding COBRA’s Fangs • W. Ann Maggiore, JD, EMT-P – August 1999

Assault on Columbine: EMS amid the Chaos of our Nation’s Most Violent High School Incident • A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P – Sept. 1999 

Using Science to Prevent Injuries • David Short – Sept. 1999

Cyanide: The Deadly Terror Weapon that Every EMS Provider Must Know About • Robert DeLorenzo, MD – Oct. 199

EMS on the Home Front: Acute Interventions for Chronic-care Patients • Christine Schmidt, RN, BSN – Dec. 1999

Is MAST in the Past: The Pros & Cons of MAST Usage in the Field • Leonard R. Frank, MD – Feb. 2000

RSV: Not the common Cold – Signs & Symptoms of Respiratory Syncytial Virus • Daved van Stralen, MD & Ronald Perkin, MD, MA – Feb. 2000

20 Challenges of Geriatric Care • Elizabeth A. Criss, RN, Med & Linda Honeycutt, EMT-P, I/C – April 2000

Take Aim: Hit your IO [Intraosseous] Target • Connie Mattera, MS, RN – April 2000

Stroke on the MEND: University of Miami Pioneers an Innovative Stroke Curriculum • David M. Lacombe, NREMT-P, ET AL – October 2000

Time is Muscle: Cape Cod Chest Pain Task Force Helps Shorten AMI Discovery-to-Treatment Times • Stephen P. Bold, NREMT-P & Glenn Luedtke, NREMT-P – April 2001

Exposed: Signs, Symptoms & EMS Management of Nerve Agent Poisoning • Robert A. DeLorenzo, MD, FACEP – June 2001

Patient Simulators: Changing the Face of EMS Education • Elizabeth A. Criss, RN, Med – Dec 2001

Plastination: An Innovative Approach to Preserving Anatomical Specimens & Teaching Anatomy to EMS Personnel – Dec. 2001

10 Pitfalls in Airway Management • Edward M. Racht, MD – March 2002

The Next Agent of Terror?: Understanding Smallpox & its Implications for Prehospital Crews • Chad Brocato, EMT-P & Geoffret T. Miller, NREMT-P – March 2002

Silent Assassin: Managing Exposure Incidents of Unknown Origin • James Augustine, MD – April 2002

Endotracheal Rules of Engagement: How to Reduce the Incidence of Unrecognized Esophageal Intubations • Darryl A. Coontz & Matt Gratton, MD – June 2002

LMA Fastrach: EMS Discovers the Intubating Laryngeal Mask Airway • Geoffrey T. Miller, NREMT-P – June 2002

After the Fall: 9/11 Effects on New York’s EMS Personnel Extend Far beyond Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress • Lisa Dionne – Sept. 2002

Selective Spinal Immobilization: The Use of Assessment Criteria & Protocols to select patients who don’t require complete spinal immobilization • Darren Braude, MD, EMT-P & Angela Jaramillo, BS, EMT-P – Sept. 2002

Cardiac Alert: Aurora Fire Department Advances Cardiac Care Through Cardiac Cath Lab Field Activation • Guy W. Bull, EMT-P, & Danny Willcox, BS, EMT-P

Capnography in EMS: A Powerful Way to Objectively Monitor Ventilatory Status • Baruch Krauss, MD, EdM, Faap – Jan. 2003

The Silent Killer: Recognizing & Treating Carbon Monoxide Poisoning • Lee Ann Koster, MD, & Timothy Rupp, MD, FACEP – Jan. 2003

The Road to Med School: Tips for Traveling from EMT to Physician • R. Lee Rumbley III, BA, REMT-P, FP-C – March 2003

I Didn’t Call for an Ambulance: How to Better Walk the Slippery Slope of Patient Refusals • Jay Weaver, JD, EMT-P – March 2003

EMS Bill of Rights: What Every Patient Deserves • Steven R. Meador, EMT-P; Corey M. Slovis, MD, & Keith D. Wrenn, MD – March 2003

Combat Hypoxia: The Importance of Airway Management & Oxygenation of the Traumatic Brain Injury Patient • Gregg Rosner, BS, MFS, NREMT-P – March 2003

MCI Challenge – Crash on the 710 Freeway: 41 Patients transported in 1 hour & 41 minutes at one of the Nation’s Largest Multi-casualty Traffic Accidents • Daniel Mack, NREMT-P; & A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P – April 2003

EMS Marketing Made Easy: A 4-Step Plan to Kick Start Your Service’s Strategy – Plus: EMS Experts from New York to Washington Reveal Their Best Marketing Ideas • Todd LeDuc & Lisa Dionne – May 2003

BLS-ALS EMT Bridge – One City’s Unique Way to Transition BLS EMTs to an ALS System • Mary (Carey) Mottet, RN – May 2003

Answering the Call: Military Medics Responds to Operation Iraqi Freedom • SSgt. Rene Steinbauer, R.N., EMT-P – August 2003

Innovations in EMS Education: A Look at EMS Educational Programs & Teaching Concepts that Work for the Adult Learner • Attila Hertelendy, BHsc, CCEMT-P, NREMT-P; Dean Vokey. Bed, ACP: & Bill Lord. Med, REMT-P – Sept. 2003

Training for Acts of Terrorism: The University of Miami Introduces a New Curriculum for EMS Personnel Emphasizing Practical Skills & Simulation Training • Geoffrey T. Miller, NREMT-P; Joseph Scott, MD; David Lee Gordon, MD; S. Barry Issenberg, MD; & Angel A. Brotons, EMT-P – Sept. 2003

Videoconferencing Technology Capabilities: Distance Education Support for Geographically Isolated EMS Providers • Vicki Pendelton, RN, BSN, ET AL – Sept. 2003

Introducing the Pelvic Sling: Pelvic Fracture Stabilization Made Simple • Michael Bottlang, PhD, & James C. Krieg, MD – Sept. 2003

Emergency Medical Dispatch: No Longer the Weak Link • Keith Griffiths – Oct. 2003

Nerve Agent Attack: A Dangerous Threat to Emergency Responders and the Public • S. Christopher Suprun, Jr., EMT-P – Oct. 2003

Build Your Own Bariatric Unit: Southwest Ambulance Creates a Better Way to Transport Obese Patients • Joshua Weiss; Daniel Perham; & John Forrest – Dec. 2007 

Nasal Drug Delivery in EMS: Reducing Needlestick Risk •Timothy Wolfe, MD; & Eric Barton, MD – Dec. 2003

Mechanical Ventilation: Understanding Respiratory Physiology & the Basics of Ventilator Management • Ian Greenwald, MD, & Steve Rosonoke, MD – Dec. 2003

The Body in Sync: Understanding Perfusion, Fluid Balance & all Things Cardiac • Connie Mattera – Oct. 2005

Adult IO Arrives: The Solution to Difficult Vascular Access – Sponsored by Vidacare – Oct. 2005

The Risky Side of Response: Increasing Fatalities Underscore the Need for Reconciled Safety Practices of Ground and Air Ambulances • David M. Williams, MS & Christine Zalar, MA – April 2007

Maintaining Essential Competencies throughout Your Career • Christopher Supan, NREMT-P, CCCEMT-P – July 2007

Beyond EMS: Community Paramedics [Canada, Minnesota & Nebraska] Make House Calls • Marion Angell Garza – Sept. 2007

The Heart Dangers of CO: Understanding Cardiovascular Risks to Responders from CO Exposure • Bryan Bledsoe, DO, FACEP – Dec. 2007

Professional Boundaries: Where They are and Why We Cross Them • W. Ann Maggiore, JD, EMT-P – Dec. 2007

First Responder REHAB: Good, Better, Best • David Hostler, PhD, NREMT-P, & Joe Suyama, MD – Dec. 2007

Handling Bariatrics: How to Treat & Transport Morbidly Obese Patients • Richard Beebe, MS, RN, NREMT-P – Jan. 2010

Chill Factor: How the Hottest Thing in EMS is Cold [Therapeutic Hypothermia] • Jeffrey M. Goodloe, MD, NREMT-P, FACEP & T.J. Reginald, NREMT-P– Feb. 2011

Into the Future: Identifying and Mentoring Your Successor May be the Most Important Thing You Do • Cynthia Kinkaid – Feb. 2010

The State of EMS Over the Past 30 Years [1980 – 2010] • Cynthia Kincaid – March 2010

Disposition of the Deceased: How to Determine Patient Status and Prevent Futile Transports • Marc Eckstein, MD, MPH FACEP – March 2010 

Neck and Neck: Seat Belt Sign on the Neck is as Serious a Finding as on the Abdomen • Adam Fox, DPM, DO & Edward Dickinson, MD, NREMT-P, FACEP – April 2010

The ABCs of TBI {Traumatic Brain Injury]: Evidence-based Guidelines for Adult Traumatic Brain Injury Care • Jeremy Dewall, MD, NREMT-P – April 2010

Explosive Devices: What Every Responder Should Know About IEDS [Improvised Explosive Devices] • August Vernon – May 2010

Rethinking ETI [Endotracheal Intubation]: Should Paramedics Continue to Intubate? • Bryan Bledsoe, DO, FACEP, FAAEM, EMT-P; Darren Braude, MD, MPH, FACEP, EMT-P; Marc Eckstein, MD, MPH, FACEP, EMT-P; William E. Gandy, JD, NREMT-P, David Tan, MD, FAAEM, EMT-T; Henry Wang, MD, MS& Marvin Wayne, MD, FACEP, FAAAEM – July 2010

Advanced Trauma Life Support Training Enhances ED & Hospital Trauma Decisions and Care • Commie Mattera, MS, RN, EMT-P, TNS – July 2010

Alternate Route: The Humerus Bone – A Viable Option for IO Access • Jay Kovar, MD, FACEP & Lee Gillum, MPH, LP, EMS-CC – August 2010

Visible Improvement: Ultrasound Provides Diagnostic Images in Prehospital Medicine • Jason Bowman, CCEMT-P, NREMT-P – Sept. 2010

Restricted Access: How to Treat Patients in Confined Spaces • Paul Berlin, MS, NREMT-P; Geoff North, FF, NREMT-P & Deems Okamoto, MD, FACEP – Nov. 2010

Where Has V Fib Gone? Why Today’s EMS Crews See Less Ventricular Fibrillation in the Field • Angelo Salvucci, MD, FACEP – Dec. 2010

Using Portable Cardio Pulmonary Support [in the ED] to Treat Stemi Patients • David Ostrander, MD, FACC; Zack Shinar; Joseph Bellozzo, MD; Brian Jaski, MD; John Gordon, MD and Donna Dasinger, RN – Dec. 2010

Cancel With Care: Which Refusals Can Risk Patient Safety and Your Career • David Page, MS, NREMT-P – Dec. 2010

Without Warning: How to Effectively Treat Patients with Excited Delirium • Keith Wesley, MD – Feb. 2011

Instant Replay: Perform CPR With Immediate Feedback • Bentley Bobrow, MD; Benjamin Abella, MD, MPHIL; Tyler Vandeboncoeur, MD; David Cone, MD & Vastal Chikani, MD – March 2011 

Heroes to Hometown: [The Critical Incident Stress Epidemic] When Veterans Come Home • Dean Pedrotti, CEP, BS, MBA – March 2011

The Impact of Early Care [of Internal Decapitation Neck Injured Patients] • A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P – April 2011

A Quiet Epidemic: How Suicides Affect Patients & Providers • Wayne Zygowicz, BA, EFO, EMT-P & Michael Grill, MS, MS, EFO, NREMT-P – April 2011

Achieving 20/20 Glottic Visualization: Clinical Research Provides Lessons for a Perfect View during Intubation • Mark Rock, BA, NREMT-P – June 2011

Behind the Mask: Is Oxygen Harming Your Patient? • By David Anderson, MTSJ, BSC, MB, CHB – July 2011

Stop the Pain: Fentanyl is a Viable Alternative to Morphine • Jim Massey, BS, EMT-P, CCP-C – August 2011

10 years Later: Life in a Post 9/11 World • Teresa McCallion & A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P – Sept. 2011

EMS Education Agenda: Changes That Will Affect You • Deb Cason, RN, MS, EMT-P & Kathy Robinson, RN, EMT-P – Sept. 2011

Emergency Advisors [OnStar]: A New Partner in EMS First Response • Staff Report – Dec. 2011

Drug Shortages: Tips to Turn Dilemma into Discoveries • Jeffrey M. Goodloe, MD, NREMT-P, FACEP – Dec. 2011

Resuscitation Roundtable: Five EMS Experts Offer Their Views on a Critical Topic [Featuring Paul Pepe, MD; Ahamed Idris, MD; J. Brent Myers, MD; Corey Slovis, MD & John Freese, MD] • Ray Fowler, MD, FACEP and David Lehrfield, MD – Dec. 2011 

NASEMSO Analysis Provides [a realistic] Snapshot of the EMS Industry • Teresa McCallion, EMT-P – Jan. 2012

E-Linkage at Last: EMS Crews Linked to Hospital & Discharge Diagnosis • Frank Zanka, MPA – Jan. 2012

Speed Loading: Process Improvements Save Time, Money & Resources • Jonathan Washko, BS-EMSA, NREMT-P, AEMD – March 2012

Doing More With Less: Applying Lean Methodology to EMS • James Robinson, BS, EMT-P;  Jessica Vastola, BSISE & Scott Bookman, MPA, EMT-P – March 2012

Extreme Bleeds: Recommendations for Tourniquets in Civilian EMS • Gregory Risk, MD, MPH, FACEP & James Augustine, MD, FACEP – March 2012

First on Scene: Police on the Front Lines of EMS / Partners in Crime • Capt. Mario Ramirez, MD, MPP; Andrew Pfeffer, MD; Greg Lee & Corey Slovis, MD, FACEP – Mat 2012  

Prepared for the Worst: Tactical Training Offers Many Benefits for EMS • William Justice, NREMT-P; Lt. Kerry Massie, NREMT-I & Jeffrey Goodloe, MD, NREMT-P, FACEP – May 2012

Time is Brain: How to Quickly Identify & Treat Stroke in the field • W. Ann Maggiore, JD, NREMT-P – June 2012

Instilling a Culture of Safety in EMS • Richmond Ambulance Authority Creates Comprehensive Culture of Safety Model • Rob Lawrence, MCMI; Bryan McRay, BA; Dempsey Whitt, NREMT-P/FF-C & Joseph Ornato, MD, FACP, FACC, FACEP = June 2012

Rethinking Delivery Models: the EMS Industry may Shift Deployment Methods • Jonathan Washko, BS-EMSA, NREMT-P, AEMD – July 2012

Attacking Cardiac Arrest (Part I: Good Science and Enthusiasm Drive Survival Rates in Oklahoma & Part II: ROSC Successes & Research are Changing Field Practice): • Jeffrey M. Goodloe, MD, NREMT-P, FACEP, ET AL – August & Sept. 2012

Top of the Pyramid: What Makes a Model EMS System? • Jonathan Washko, BS-EMSA, NREMT-P, AEMD – Dec. 2012

Secure in the Cloud: The new Public vs. Private Debate is in Data Security • Todd Stout – Dec. 2012

Smart Tracking: Innovative Vehicle Tracking programs [and technology] Decrease Errors & Increase Efficiency • Allison M. Harden – Dec. 2012 

Mobile Intergrated Health Care: Putting the ‘RAP’ in Rapport: EMS Surveillance Program Assists With ‘Frequent Flyers’ [in San Diego] • Anne-Marie Jensen, EMT-P, & James Dunford, MD – Jan. 2013

Tunnel Vision: The Role of Video Laryngoscopy in Future Advanced Airway Management • Terence Valenzuela,MD, MPH; Jarrod Mosier, MD; and John Sakles, MD – Jan. 2013

Tablet Devices Transform How Data is Used and Accessed in the Field • Richard Huff – Jan. 2013 

Update on 360-Degree Data: Creating Better Healthcare by Challenging the Call to Collect More Data in the Field • John Pringle & Loralee Olejnik – Jan. 2013

Keeping it Cool: Therapeutic Hypothermia for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients Produces Promising Results • Francis Kim, MD; Brent Myers, MD; & Michael K. Copass, MD – Jan. 2013

Putting Standards on the Map: Oklahoma Leaders Create Comprehensive Set of Evidence-based Protocols • Jeffrey Goodloe, MD, NREMT-P, FACEP; David S. Howetown, NREMT-P; & Tammy Appleby, NREMT-B 

The Argument for BLS CPAP • Keith Wesley, MD, FACEP – Nov. 2013

Totally Tourniquets: The Facts & Details about Different Types of Tourniquets • E. Reed Smith, MD, FACEP & Geoffrey L. Shapiro, EMT-P – Nov. 2013

Early Cooling: Effectively Initiating Therapeutic Hypothermia During Cardiac Arrest • Howard Dickey-White, MD, FACEP; Daniel Ellenberger, EMT-P, EMS-I & Dominic Silvestro, EMT-P, EMS-I – Nov. 2013

Precious Minutes: Mechanical CPR Helps Save the Day & the Patient • A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P – Feb. 2014

Patient Experience Revolution: The Affordable Care Act’s Emphasis on Patient-Centered Care Will Transform our Industry • Doug Hooten, MBA & Matt Zavadsky, MS-HAS, EMT – Feb. 2014

Discriminate Spinal Immobilization: Lee County Florida EMS Implements a New Paradigm of Cervical Spine Immobilization • Michael G, Hamel, NREMT-P, CCeMT-P, FP-C – Jan. 2014

Rightsizing: Transforming From Big Apparatus for Better Fire Service EMS Resource Deployment • Michael Baker, B.U.S., NRP – Feb. 2014

Upstroke Ventilation: New Resuscitation Technique Increases ROSC • Daniel Davis, MD & Mark Rock, NREMT-P – March 2014

Infection Inspection: Screening and Managing Sepsis (A 2-part Series) • Keith Wesley, MD & Keith Widmeier, NREMT-P – March & May 2014

Utilizing Capnography in Sepsis: End-Tidal CO2 May be Used in Place of Lactate to Screen for Severe Sepsis • Christopher Hunter, MD, PhD – March 2014  

Responder Resilience: Evidence-based Program Improves & Sustains First Responder Behavioral Health • Jonathan Gunderson; Mike Grill, MS, NREMT-P, Philip Callahan, PhD & Michael Marks, PhD – March 2014 

Simple Thoracostomy: Moving Beyond Needle Decompression inTraumatic Cardiac Arrest • Mark Escott, MD, MPH, FACEP, ET AL – April 2014

Nitros Oxide: New Delivery of an Old Drug • Scott Oglesbee, BA, CCEMT-P & William Selde, MD – April 2014

The Lethal Triad: Hyothermia, Acidosis & Coagulapathy Create A Deadly Cycle for Trauma Patients • Ryan Gerecht, MD, CMTE – April 2014

What Dispatch Really Shows: Creating A Safer, More Efficient Response • Karl Sporer, MD, FACEP, FACP & Joshua English, EMT-P – July 2014

Taking Stock: A Comprehensive Explanation of the Legality of Ambulance Restocking Programs • Steve Wirth, JD; Doug Wolfberg, JD & Amanda Ward, JD – August 2014

Emergency Cardiopulmonary Bypass [and ECMO] Creates Potential for Saving the Nearly Dead • Vincent N. Mosesso, Jr., MD & Jenn Liebman, MSL, RN, CFRN

Preventing Prehospital Medical Errors with Cognative Strategies • David Fu, MD; Aaron Sibley, MD, FACEP & Rob Woods, MD, FFRCPC – Dec. 2014

Mobile Intergrated Health Care: 

Mobile Integrated Healthcare: 

• Its Importance in EMS • A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P From the Editor: Mobile Integrated Healthcare by A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P – July 2014
• Imparting Knowledge & Restoring Hope: How MedStar’s [Fort Worth, Texas region] mobile integrated healthcare program helped frequent flyer Antoine Hall live again • Matt Zavadsky, MS-HAS, EMT – July 2014
• Unable to Help Herself: San Diego EMS steps in to assist frequent flyer with TBI and co-occurring substance abuse disorder • Anne Marie Jensen, EMT-P & Kris Kuntz, MA – Sept. 2014
• New Hanover Community Paramedicine Success Story: N.C. medical center EMS team brings mobile integrated healthcare into the community with promising results • David Glendenning, NREMT-P & C. Anthony Jones, MD – Feb. 2015

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In Their Own Words: Reflections on the Impact of JEMS over the Years

In 2015, for the 35th anniversary of JEMS, we reached out to leaders in the EMS industry who have dedicated their lives to EMS, contributed to JEMS and our EMS TODAY Conference throughout their careers and the history of JEMS and asked them to reflect on the impact that they felt JEMS has had on the EMS industry. What follows are their comments.

Scotty Bolleter, BS, EMT-P

Chief

Office of Clinical Direction

Centre for Emergency Health Science

Bulverde Spring Branch Emergency Services

Spring Branch, TX 

JEMS was and is a catalyst. It excited me a young paramedic in the early 80’s, propelled and nudged me to learn more, touched me on multiple levels (from hilarious – Berry et al – to sad – the loss of Jim Page in 2004 and other friends since) and connected us to each other. 

What a chronicle (and respectful nod) toward our modern EMS careers (with constant insights to our collective futures (which always find a way of appearing in the pages JEMS before we apply it in practice.

Honestly – congratulation on being OUR “modern EMS” historic reference, sounding board, and beacon of things yet to come. Huge kudos on bringing hearts, minds, luminaries, and “the rest of us” together in the common goal of better pre-hospital medicine (even when growing seemed kind of hard!)

Until being given the opportunity to contribute to this 35th Anniversary article, I had not considered what JEMS really added up to within my own mind and career.  Thank you for the Journey! There is not a country on the planet that I have not been in where the name of JEMS has been there with me!

Scott Bourn, PhD, RN, EMT-P

Then: Vice President of Clinical Practices & Research

American Medical Response

President, National Association of EMS Educators

I was privileged to write three recurring columns in JEMS between 1986 and 1995 (Clinical Q & A; Controversies in Clinical Care; Street Signs) and then served as a Contributing Editor through 2002.  I am grateful for my long association with the magazine, and—like many of our readers—believe that JEMS shaped my professional development.

In the early days of EMS, the close communication between JEMS Founders Jim Page and Keith Griffiths (who was also my first editor) and the writers was exhilarating.  The world of “knowledge” within EMS was small, and as a result, in many ways, we (unknowingly) helped to shape the practice of EMS through our writing.  

Although we rarely got together in the same room, sharing ideas and clinical/operational concepts with Thom Dick, Kate and Jim Dernocoeur, Mike Taigman, Keith Neely, Jack Stout, Mike Smith, Loren Marshall, Carol Shanaberger, Manny Garza, Rick Keller, John Becknell (and many, many others) was guided by the same principles as the magazine: unyielding focus on patients and communities; open and honest discussion of any and all ideas; acceptance of divergent opinions.  

As a young professional, this environment taught me to be aware of, and honest about, my limitations (in truth the majority of topics discussed in my Clinical Q & A column were concepts that even I was unclear about), willing to take risks (my exploration of EMS clinical practice led me to write some very bizarre columns) and confident that, at the very highest levels, the publication would support the exchanges of ideas that we wrote even when they came under fire. These were essential frameworks for the growth of a new practice of medicine.

During its first 5-10 years, I believe that JEMS truly shaped the first generation of EMS leaders, many of whom lead our systems today.  Congratulations to past and present JEMS founders, editors, and authors. You’ve helped to shape an industry.     

Bryan Bledsoe, DO

Professor of Emergency Medicine

University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas

Medical Director, MedicWest Ambulance, Las Vegas

In 1975 the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) came to my hometown of Fort Worth for an EMS conference. At that time I was enrolled in the first paramedic class in the Fort Worth area. I had heard that Jim Page would be there, so I went down to the meeting. I got to meet Jim and we ultimately became friends for the rest of his life. 

At that meeting I picked up a new magazine called Paramedics International that Jim had told me about. I took it home and read it from cover to cover. Later, Paramedics International evolved into JEMS. Today, I still read JEMS from cover to cover. 

Beyond that, JEMS has always allowed me to publish my ideas no matter how outlandish they seemed at the time. The magazine has never been afraid to address controversy but always did so in a very fair and balanced manner. 

Jim had always wanted JEMS to be the “Conscience of EMS.” No doubt, he achieved that goal. He also assured that the spirit of the magazine would go on by his careful selection of publishers, editors and other employees. 

Jim Page would still be proud of JEMS today. I still look forward to JEMS arriving in the mail and look to them as venue to help push EMS in the right direction. 

Thom Dick

Former JEMS Staff member &Tricks of the Trade columnist

Retired paramedic and former quality manager operations manager at 

Platte Valley Ambulance in Brighton, CO, and at Pridemark EMS

JEMS for me was a gateway to more dear and lifelong friendships than I could ever have imagined; in Mexico City, in Toledo, in Israel, Iraq, Northern Ireland, Germany, London, South Africa, Canada, Sweden, Alaska, Norway, Texas, Nebraska, Hawaii, Cuba and a hundred other places where I had never been.

What a thrill it was, for this ordinary hometown EMT to attend a conference of 5,000 EMSers and casually have lunch with EMTs and medics from 10 other nations at once.  I know that never would have happened if Jim Page (and his family) and Keith Griffiths hadn’t risked their careers and their fortunes to assemble such a vision.

I’ve loved it, and I’ll never forget it ─ or either of them.

Edward T. Dickinson, MD, NREMT-P, FACEP 

Medical Editor of JEMS

Associate professor and director of prehospital field operations 

Department of Emergency Medicine, 

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. 

JEMS was always there in the firehouse and the ambulance stations as I rose through the ranks as an EMT, AEMT and paramedic in the 1980’s.  In 1989, as a freshly minted emergency medicine intern, I submitted my first article to JEMS. I will never forget the rush I felt seeing my first article in JEMS. It was the first work I had ever had published, and for an English major like me it was huge! 

I never could have imagined that 25 years later I would be serving as the Medical Editor of JEMS and now have the opportunity edit and promote the work of other up and coming EMS authors.

Keith Griffiths

Founding editor of JEMS

A little more than 35 years ago, when the idea of JEMS was incubating, founding publisher Jim Page took on the pseudonym of Sinclair Germaine and wrote an article in the final issue of Paramedics International, published in the fall on 1979, which I had the distinct privilege of editing.  In a few months, that magazine would become JEMS, the Journal of Emergency Medical Services. While the story itself was important, Jim wanted to set the broader stage for investigative journalism in EMS, demonstrating caring and honesty that would be a hallmark of JEMS.

  ”Maneuvering around Heimlich” was the title of the article and it was Jim Page at his best.  It was a story about the medical politics that informed the debate around a procedure that emergency responders embraced but that some scientists rejected because of the grandstanding reputation of its namesake, Henry Heimlich. 

  All these years later, our kids are being taught “abdominal thrusts”, but the story of how one man fought the medical establishment is captured in Jim’s timeless story—it is the essence of the JEMS spirit…and a cautionary tale of hubris that Jim told so well. 

 

A.J. Heightman, MPA, EMT-P

Editor-in-Chief of JEMS

Former Operations Director, Cetronia Ambulance Service

Former Director, Eastern Pennsylvania EMS Region

For me, my involvement with JEMS has been a career-long pleasure. I started out reading every page of JEMS because I knew that the passion and innovation of Jimmy Page and Keith Griffiths would be a game changer for the EMS industry. 

The opportunity, later in my career, to help craft the vision and editorial content for JEMS has been the highlight of my career. As an EMS administrator I was often frustrated by the inability to convince organizations stuck on old traditions and resistant to advance with changes in clinical medicine, and politicians who didn’t understand the need for improvement and funding for EMS. Jim Page taught me how to do that as a personal mentor, and JEMS taught me how to do it through editorial content and forward vision.

Long before I became Editor-in-Chief of JEMS, I looked to JEMS to tell me and my colleagues where EMS was, and could be, going. The fact that JEMS has been able to look into the future, review evidence-based medicine, present solid research and concepts as well as products and innovations, is perhaps the most important contribution JEMS has made to the EMS industry. Through a solid and hard-working editorial board, JEMS has been able to receive solid advice and guidance on where we should be looking and pushing the EMS industry.

It has been an honor for me to serve you, our readers, as a small part of a big endeavor in the development and expansion of JEMS. 

Baxter Larmon, PhD, MICP

Professor of Medicine

David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA

Then: Director, UCLA Center for Prehospital Care

Director, Prehospital Care Research Forum

JEMS has always been a leader in the promotion of EMS Research and was the original partner that helped create, promote and publish the first Prehospital Care Research Forum (PCRF) abstracts more than 20 years ago. JEMS, along with EMS TODAY, was also the first venue to support Prehospital Care Research abstracts and posters at a national EMS conference. In that regard, JEMS supported a network of prehospital care research workshops that trained more than 400 novice EMS researchers around the country. Many of these research workshop graduates have gone on to be nationally recognized EMS leaders.

Evidence-based medicine and practice, as well as patient safety, are the current mantra in medicine and prehospital care. JEMS has been instrumental in allowing us to find and promote the evidence that supports, or the myths that prevail, in our or field of medicine. PCRF is very thankful for JEMS being our partner.

Gary Ludwig

Fire Chief

Champaign (IL) Fire Department

The job of any seasoned EMS professional is to make a younger EMS professional wiser, smarter and more astute in their EMS career.  They should impart their wisdom and experience to make the younger EMS professionals better clinically, operationally, and maybe eventually in a leadership role.  The goal should be to make others grow, flourish and productive in their careers.

A mentor is not always a human. JEMS has served as that organizational mentor to thousands in the EMS profession for the last 35 years, serving as the focal point of many mentors who have collectively shared their wisdom and knowledge with those who aspire to become better in the EMS profession.  Those who have read JEMS over the last 35 years have been imparted with insight that has kept them on the cutting-edge of the profession.  

Over the years, I have personally benefited from the shared and collective wisdom of many who wrote for JEMS.  

The only constant is change.  As the profession has changed, JEMS has been at the forefront of bringing that change to its readers. The contribution of JEMS to the profession has been incalculable.

Susan D. McHenry

EMS Specialist

Office of EMS

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

JEMS has always been forward-thinking and has enlisted the help of many EMS leaders across the industry to stay in the fore-front.  I served as State EMS Director for the Commonwealth of VA from 1976 until early 1996, when I left to begin my work with the Office of EMS at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), where I still love my EMS career.  

I have always relied on JEMS as a great source of the most current thinking on the many challenges and opportunities of an evolving system of care. Over the decades, as the EMS system has matured and changed pretty dramatically, JEMS has served as a great source of information and ideas that have helped our profession advance.  

There are several visionary JEMS articles and editorial supplements that come to mind that I feel have been particularly helpful to the EMS community: 

• Cardio cerebral Resuscitation – by Gordon A. Ewy, MD, Michael Kellum, MD, and Bentley Bobrow, MD (July, 2009)
• Translating Science Into Practice – by Jonathon Studnik, Steve Vandeventer, Allison Infinger, Kristin Young and Jeff Keith  (July, 2013).
• Four recent JEMS Editorial Supplements that have been exceptionally forward-thinking and valuable:

• Jan. 2014 – “Data Drives Care”

• Oct. 2014 – “When Time Matters Most” – (Tactical Emergency Casualty Care and Active Shooter)
• Nov. 2014 – “EMS State of the Science – Advances in Resuscitation” 
• Dec. 2014 – “Perfusion on Demand”

The heavily footnoted and detailed JEMS supplements have been extremely valuable, as they can bring together a number of superb articles that address the broader topic.  

The timeliness of JEMS news has been greatly enhanced with the on-line JEMS.com news and e-mail updates.

Mary Newman

Executive Director

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation

JEMS has been the go-to source for news and information on emergency medical services, thanks to its dynamic leadership, the thought leaders that comprise its editorial board, and its penchant for cultivating new authors who possess enthusiasm and great ideas. JEMS is always ahead of the curve when it comes to introducing new technologies and starting the conversation about controversial topics.

JEMS has had a profound impact on my career. Jim Page was my first boss and was truly an inspiration. He believed in me and my potential long before I realized that saving lives was to become my passion. It is an honor to still be associated with JEMS after all these years.

When thinking of ways that JEMS is visionary, three articles come to mind. One, “The Chain of Survival Concept Takes Hold,” (1989:14;11-13) introduced the “Chain of Survival” metaphor for survival from sudden cardiac arrest, a concept that was subsequently adopted by the American Heart Association and others and is now used by resuscitation organizations worldwide. 

Another article, “Nation’s First Community of Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivors,” (online April 28, 2010), introduced the notion that thanks to improving resuscitation techniques and growing awareness about the importance of immediate bystander intervention, there is a new community of people who survived sudden cardiac arrest neurologically intact—a gradually growing community filled with wonder and purpose.

The third article that comes to mind is “The CPR Mandate: A JEMS Survey Investigates Attitudes Toward CPR Training in Our Nation’s Schools,” (1986;11(4):26-33.) 

JEMS recognized the importance of such training decades ago. After all these years, making CPR training universally available in schools in the U.S. is still an elusive goal, but progress is being made: quality CPR-AED training is required today in at least 18 states.

Jerry Overton

Chair, Board of Accreditation

International Academies of Emergency Dispatch

While it is certainly tempting to identify an article, or a plethora of articles for that matter, that have been influential these past years, from my perspective that would miss the real impact that JEMS has made on moving EMS forward, and on me personally.  

In the end, it is the body of articles, the quality of articles, and the timeliness of articles that made JEMS a must read for those of us engaged in EMS and creating systems that are both innovative and patient focused.  

JEMS has never shied away from controversial cutting edge issues, whether it be the new concepts of Stout and Clawson or first highlighting risk and safety factors, including the overuse of a red lights and siren response.  

Perhaps even more importantly, JEMS continues as the centerpiece for the serious discussions of today that will set the course for the future.  

Articles with divergent viewpoints on community paramedicine, finance, and our role in the healthcare system provide not only required background information, but allow the debate to be raised to a higher and more relevant level.  Again, for me, each issue of JEMS is mandatory reading, it is as simple as that. 

Janet Smith

Janet Smith & Associates – On Assignment 

EMS Consultant

I became aware of JEMS while working as a paramedic and PIO for Mercy Ambulance in Las Vegas in the late 70s and during the 80s.  For us EMSers on the line, JEMS was to paramedics what JAMA was for physicians in terms of clinical articles and good solid patient care advice.  Later, when I became the Industry Image Committee chairperson for the American Ambulance Association, I was honored to be an author and advisor for the JEMS article review team. As such, I reviewed all submitted articles having to do with EMS marketing or public relations. 

For me and our Mercy Ambulance leadership team led by Bob Forbuss, JEMS was the “go-to” publication for the most cutting-edge advice and reporting for issues like disaster management, reliable and clinically sound EMS operations and for insights regarding EMS economics. And, it still is.  

JEMS also continues to represent the “market” for recruitment and company/products and services advertising.  I capitalized on the benefits of advertising in JEMS during the early 90s when serving as the corporate communications manager for MedTrans.  This was during the time when private ambulance consolidation was at its peak. 

I particularly enjoyed becoming good friends with Jim Page and his staff back in the beginning as much as I now enjoy working with A.J. Heightman and his team. My affiliation with JEMS enriched my personal EMS experience as a caregiver and continues to contribute to my 25-year career as an EMS consultant. 

In 1981, Editor in Chief, Jim Page penned an article “Command Performance.” The article touted Bob Forbuss’ leadership during the MGM Hotel fire response when Bob oversaw triage and transportation of more than 300 patients by our company, Mercy Ambulance.  That congratulatory editorial meant a lot to each and every one of us who took care of people that day in Las Vegas.  And, it especially meant a lot to Forbuss who so much appreciated Jim’s review of a private ambulance service’s response. (He wore another hat as an executive board member of the American Ambulance Association at that time and private ambulance services didn’t see much good ink in those days.)  

I also loved that JEMS published my account of the “Private Side of the Battle of the Bids.”  This article and the JEMS-sponsored EMS Today workshop led by Jim Page and Jack Stout, pitting public and private bids against each other and featuring all-night strategy sessions became legendary. It was highly educational to the attendees and great fun to be a part of. 

Ron Stewart, MD

Professor Emeritus, Medical Education

Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Former (1976-1978) Medical Director Paramedic Training

Department of Health Services, Los Angeles County

Officer of the Order of Canada, Member of the Order of Nova Scotia

Former Minister of Health, Government of Nova Scotia

Forty-two years and counting…  I refer to my career in EMS as Adventures in the wonderland of EMS. Even in the most carefully-laid plans, fate can intervene and we are carried along as “accidental tourists” to an unplanned destination. That is the best explanation I can give for my life-long adventure with paramedics and EMS. It began for me when I met a man by the name of Jim Page in his office when he was a Battalion Chief with the LA County Fire Department. He was excited about advancements being made by the department in emergency medicine. 

Shortly after that, during my rotation on admitting surgery at LA County Hospital, I ran into the crew of “Rescue 3.” They were the first paramedics I ever encountered. They were standing by a patient we were admitting on the floor and I noticed them because they were both wearing big, shiny black boots and blue pants. 

When they said “we’re paramedics” I replied with, “Oh, what’s a paramedic?”  And it was all downhill after that …  they became my mentors, and I soon was hooked on EMS.

Not long after, I ended up on the cover of the forerunner of JEMS, “Paramedics International” which Jim purchased from paramedic Ron Simmons for $1 and turned into an industry leading journal. 

I was coming from an American Heart Association meeting in my greens and came across a bad accident. The crews were loading the patient and they asked me to take care of the airway. I did exactly what they told me to do and returned with them (in my trench coat and greens) to the same hospital where I had been attending the meeting- to the surprise of the E.D. staff there!  

And that was the “accidental” start of many fulfilling years of teaching, riding with, and developing a profound respect for EMTs and paramedics, and doing whatever I could to improve care in the complex and often hostile arena of prehospital medicine.  Recently a plaque in the EMS headquarters here in Nova Scotia honored me with the citation, “He taught medicine in the streets.” 

            JEMS played an early and key role in my career, and what we now know as modern EMS. And I couldn’t be more grateful…or happier. 

Walt Stoy, PhD, EMT-P

Professor and Director, Emergency Medicine Program

University of Pittsburgh

Without question, there are a plethora of medical events (medications or medical devices) that anyone could offer as impacting the current and future direction of healthcare. However, for this anniversary edition of JEMS I have elected to speak about the impact of the numerous technologies beyond the boundaries of medicine altering the way we think, act and work in the healthcare arena. 

The exponential growth of social media has provided both positive and negative benefit to how we function in the out of hospital domain. The speed at which we can share information (medical, administrative and social) is assisting greatly in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of all healthcare systems. JEMS is part of this vitally important process by continuing with a traditional journal as well as having a virtual presence via the internet. Unfortunately, there also are a significant number of events taking place to the detriment to the EMS community. Many individuals working in the profession lack the discipline in utilizing these powerfully enriching tools. The list of social media websites available for use in society is extensive. It is difficult for any provider to determine which method is the best way to obtain current and valid information regarding our profession. 

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Linked In, Instagram, Pinterest, Google, any number of blogs in the EMS arena are influencing the way we address the needs of the profession in a real time manner. On the positive side, we are positioned to have more data available to us. This allows us to make informed decisions regarding the direction for expansion of the EMS system. However, on the negative side, it is costing individuals their jobs, their livelihoods and their integrity by their perceived need to engage in sharing information that wasn’t meant for distribution. Simultaneously, organizations are continuously concerned with the growing anxiety that video distribution of an event in the out of hospital community are able to be posted by “John Q. Public” within moments of the situation taking place. Providers must assume they are always in the spot light.

I am extremely proud of my long term relationship with JEMS. This journal was birthed by James O. Page as an EMS journal for EMS providers and administrators. The premise for the publication was to position authors to share EMS content to those seeking to expand their horizons. 

The early years of JEMS formed a foundation for me and thousands of others. Technology has allowed for greater access to EMS providers in a timelier manner.

Responsible journalism has been the hallmark of JEMS and I am honored to say I have been a subscriber since the inception of the journal. Jim would surely be proud of the accomplishments. 

JEMS shaped decades of EMS providers seeking to make a difference. I am certain it shall continue to move forward in the appropriate direction with the traditional and technology rich methods afforded to us.

Mike Taigman

Then: General Manager Ventura County/Gold Coast

American Medical Response

First and foremost, I’ve always considered myself a student.  JEMS was my favorite classroom and the authors my teachers.  From the moment I spotted a copy of JEMS laying on a sofa in the Denver Paramedic Division day room I was hooked.  

Jim Page taught me that policy matters and that you don’t mess with people who buy ink by the barrel.  Thom Dick taught me how to really care for people ─ all kinds of people.  Jack Stout taught me how to see EMS as an integrated system.  Jim and Kate Dernocoeur showed me that EMS was cool all over the planet.  I still use many of the lessons I learned from those early authors and JEMS issues today.

A few years after reading JEMS and meeting authors and contributors, and with Kate Dernocoeur’s prodding (cattle prodding) and Keith Griffith’s kind nurturing I began writing.  Then, with Betty Till’s support, I started speaking at conferences.  JEMS took a risk on a kid that flunked spelling in 3rd grade and they published my articles for the world to see….even when what I had to say inspired lots of angry letters to the editor.  

I’ve had a fun 40-plus year career working in 48 states, most of the Canadian Provinces, Israel, Palestine, Australia, Tasmania, and Europe. None of it would have been possible without JEMS!

Jack Stout’s articles on EMS system design, performance contracting, benchmarking, etc. totally blew the doors off of the, “We will just do the best we can” approach that used to be the foundation of everything in EMS.  Now nearly every major EMS system in America, and many across the world, have embraced, modified and implemented many of the concepts that Jack invented and JEMs published.  My bias is that millions of patients have benefited from his pioneering thinking and JEMS’ willingness to publish his forward-thinking concepts.  

Ron Thackery

Then: Senior Vice President, Professional Services

American Medical Response

JEMS consistently provides a good overview of the matters that are important in EMS and is received as one of the cornerstones of the industry for providers. Providers take great pride in the subjects discussed in JEMS because it adds credence to the profession.  

The article in the late 90’s that discussed the advantages of Road Safety in Richmond was an important article by JEMS to highlight what safety initiatives can, and do work to keep our crews safe during responses and care.        

Marvin Wayne, MD, FACEP, FAAEM, FAHA

EMS Medical Program Director 

Bellingham/Whatcom County Washington

Associate Clinical Professor University of Washington

Attending ED PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center  

I first met Jim Page in 1978 while he was traveling north from California to Vancouver Canada.  I had invited him to my “new” 4-year-old EMS system in Bellingham and Whatcom County Washington.   

Jim told me of his desire to start a professional journal which would become JEMS.  We became close friends and stayed that way until his untimely death.  

So many pioneering ideas were first described in JEMS, as illustrated in 15, 25 and 30-year Anniversary issues.  Since year 30, we have seen many noted game-changing ideas.  This includes Video Laryngoscopy (something our own system has been using for almost 9 years with a recorder); the Impedance Threshold Device (ITD) and Cardiopump, LUCAS and other mechanical CPR devices.  Those innovations were often first described to the EMS community in JEMS.  

JEMS has recently led the way in publishing an article on  “A world without backboards”…; a long overdue move, allowing services to do away with the hard “barbaric” devices we have used for so many years.  

As we move toward the next 30 years I am certain that JEMS will continue to lead us down the path to a better delivery of care and caring. 

While at my “tender” age, I can only imagine what the next 35 years will bring. I think we may see “drone” delivery of defibrillation, epi pens and hemostatic dressings.  Maybe even robot medics (sounds a bit sci fi…).  

It has been my privileged to have made a small contribution to JEMS throughout the past 35 years.  Onward to our future!

Keith Wesley, MD

Then: Medical Director 

HealthEast Medical Transportation

Member, JEMS Editorial Board 

In 1986, while I was taking my first Lifeflight air medical call during my emergency medicine residency, I was sitting in the lounge between flights when I picked up a magazine from the table and noted the title “JEMS”. The specialty of emergency medicine was only a few years old and I was excited to a part of it. 

Not recognizing this journal my interest was piqued and I opened it and soon found I could not put it down until I had read every page – including the ads. 

That was when my passion for EMS took root. I had not previously been aware of or acknowledged the dedication and commitment of the men and women who went out every day in any weather to care for the patients I then saw in the warmth and security of the emergency room. 

Later, as my career in EMS progressed, it was the authors of JEMS articles that served as my mentors. It was the fine, well-written articles in JEMS that provided me the tools to teach my young EMTs. And later, it was JEMS that gave me the once in a lifetime opportunity to share my knowledge and love for EMS as an author and columnist.

Steve Wirth, Esq., EMT-P 

Founding Partner, Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, LLC

Safety Officer, Hampden Twp. Vol. Fire Company, Mechanicsburg, PA

JEMS has always been more than a magazine or information source for EMS.  It has literally blazed the trail of innovation – presenting new ideas, concepts and technology in a way that could be used to help communities throughout our nation provide the best possible emergency care.  

In 1980, I was a young, newly-minted paramedic in North Central Pennsylvania – and a barely wet behind the ears assistant fire chief of a small, rural fire company looking for a way to improve EMS in our piece of the world.  For many of us in rural America, we didn’t get out very much and JEMS was our way of seeing what others were doing to develop and improve patient care in the field.  The articles in JEMS were always right on target and provided a literal roadmap for change.  JEMS also provided the credible support that many of us relied on to bring about improvements in our respective EMS systems.

On a personal level, I couldn’t wait to get the next issue and read it cover to cover to pick up some new ideas. JEMS sparked my desire to say to our community – “we can do this here,” and “this is how we can save more lives.”  

The leadership of Jim Page and his profound and candid messages “shook things up” for the betterment of us all.  JEMS and Jim Page’s philosophy has remained constant and taught us all to be intolerant of mediocrity and to always strive for improvement in ourselves and in our EMS systems.  

That conscience for our industry that Jim and Keith Griffiths started continues under the passionate leadership of A.J. Heightman.  The theme of today’s content remains true to those early core values. JEMS continues to offer timely, insightful and meaningful articles that remind us that, in all that we do, we must never lose sight of the impact that we can have on the lives of others.  

“Always putting the patient first,” is, in my view, the real mantra that has allowed JEMS to be so successful for 35 years and to remain a key force for positive change.  

It may seem a bit far-fetched to say that an industry journal can save lives.  But there is no doubt in my mind that there have been – and continue to be – countless lives saved by the changes brought about as a result of the positive influence that JEMS has had on so many EMS leaders and providers nationwide.  

Doug Wolfberg, Esq.

Partner, Page, Wolfberg & Wirth

JEMS and EMS INSIDER Columnist

The impact of JEMS on EMS is impossible to measure, because it’s impossible to imagine EMS without JEMS.  It’s been an integral part of the EMS profession for almost as long as EMS has been a profession.  

            In my mind it’s always been a “chicken and egg” thing – did EMS need a journal like JEMS because it was becoming a recognized profession, or did EMS become an accepted profession because of JEMS?  It’s almost impossible to separate the two.  JEMS came along at precisely the right moment and gave voice and legitimacy to an entire industry.  

            If I might be personal for a moment – I firmly believe that I owe my career to JEMS.  As a volunteer EMS provider in a small Pennsylvania town in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I literally grew up reading JEMS and admiring its content as well as its publisher, James O. Page.  

            In September1989, my first article, Weeding Through the Product Jungle, was published in JEMS.  Jim chose it as the cover story and praised it in that month’s Publisher’s Page.  I was 23-years-old. I’m not sure to this day that I can fully articulate what seeing my name in JEMS for the first time meant to me.  I framed the cover (which, incidentally, featured Jim’s son Tom).  

            Just as JEMS helped to legitimize EMS, being published in it was, for me, legitimizing my career choice in EMS.  It also led to a close working relationship with Jim Page, a monthly column, and a spot on the JEMS Editorial Board. 

            My association with JEMS and Jim also got me seriously thinking about enrolling in law school – which I did in 1993 (armed with a referenced letter from none other than James O. Page, I might add). A few years after I graduated from law school, Jim, Steve Wirth and I started a law firm together.  Not a day goes by when I don’t reflect on how much of an honor it is to see my name next to Jim’s.  For many years after we started the firm, I received countless phone calls from prospective new clients saying something like, “I know you from JEMS, and our ambulance service would like to engage your services.”  It was almost as if we needed no introduction to the industry when we opened our doors. Our work in JEMS, to a large extent, did that for us.

            The articles that had the most profound effect on me were, not surprisingly, the ones that dealt with EMS systems and legal issues: Jack Stout’s work on System Status Management (SSM) and deployment; Carol Shanberger and Rich Lazar’s legal articles; Jim Page’s insightful commentary, oozing with the voice of conscience. 

            Reading about subjects in JEMS like documentation, consent and refusals of care sparked my interest in EMS law and contributed to a body of knowledge that the industry still draws on to this day.  

            One of the highlights of my career has been to contribute to that body of knowledge in some small way and honoring the legacy of those industry giants who shaped the early pages of JEMS. I don’t for a moment believe that I can measure up to them, but, by following their example, I humbly hope in some small way to do them proud by continuing to contribute content that advances the industry legally and ethically.  

            Happy Anniversary, JEMS!  You always were – and will continue to be – the Conscience of EMS.