The SMFR EMS Podcast brings you the latest in EMS education and innovation. Designed for EMS professionals at every level, our podcast dives deep into the heart of the emergency medical services field. We explore hot topics currently shaping the EMS landscape, share interesting case studies with lessons learned, and provide insight into the latest equipment and medical practices that continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in pre-hospital care. From discussions on cardiac arrest survival rates to reviews of new technology, our episodes aim to foster a culture of learning and growth within the EMS community. Whether you're a paramedic, EMT, or someone simply interested in the world of EMS, our podcast is designed to keep you informed and inspired. Join us for engaging, educational content that not only enhances your knowledge but also highlights the passion and dedication that drives EMS professionals to make a difference every day.
Episode 32: Clinical Judgment vs Checklist Medicine
New paramedics learn to work off a checklist, experienced ones learn when to think past it. In this episode, EMS Capt. Dusty King sits down with Medical Director Dr. Jonathan Apfelbaum and Paramedic FI Taylor Sweet to talk through the line between following protocol and using real clinical judgment. They dig into why protocols exist as a floor, not a ceiling, how regional consensus shapes updates across Denver Metro agencies, and walk through real calls where sticking to the checklist alone could've cost the patient.
1 Sept 2026
Episode 31: Thyroid Storm
In this episode of the SMFR EMS Podcast, host EMS Captain Dusty King sits down with Medical Director Dr. Jonathan Apfelbaum and Paramedics Spencer and Michael for a call review that starts as a routine diabetic emergency and turns into a genuine diagnostic curveball. The crew walks through their thought process on scene: a blood sugar that didn't match the presentation, a patient found tachycardic and profoundly hypertensive, and a rhythm that looked like textbook SVT until adenosine only bought them a brief look before it bounced right back. They dig into how a deeper history, including a recently discontinued beta blocker and a known diagnosis of Graves' disease, pointed them toward the real answer. Dr. Apfelbaum breaks down the pathophysiology of thyroid storm, from the TSH and free T4 labs to the in-hospital treatment sequence, and explains why the presentation so easily mimics other diagnoses. The conversation closes with a shared takeaway on avoiding anchoring bias and staying open-minded on the calls that don't fit neatly into a box. As the group puts it, working these calls together, bouncing ideas off a partner, is still the best care a patient can get.
6 Aug 2026
Episode 30: Culture, Burnout, Longevity
In this episode of the SMFR EMS Podcast, host EMS Captain Dusty King sits down with Medical Director Dr. Jonathan Apfelbaum and Paramedic FI Nick Garcia for a candid conversation about culture, burnout, and what it actually takes to build a career that lasts 20-plus years in EMS. The group breaks down the difference between a "suck it up" culture and one built on debriefing, humility, and psychological safety, and how senior medics set the tone just by how they carry themselves. They walk through the warning signs of burnout, from dreading routine shifts and compassion fatigue to irritability, sleep problems, and pulling away from crews, and talk honestly about why unprocessed calls tend to resurface at the worst times. The conversation closes with practical, individual strategies for prevention and recovery: protecting sleep, physical fitness as career insurance, nutrition, and stretching into new roles or committees to avoid burnout from staying too narrow for too long. As Nick puts it, taking care of the provider is taking care of the patient.
Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100
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