Newsletters/February 5, 2026

EMS Briefing: Thursday, February 5, 2026

February 5, 2026
published
Prehospital Academy

Thursday, February 5, 2026

Good morning and welcome to your daily briefing. Here are the top stories and clinical updates shaping prehospital medicine.

📰 EMS News Recap
'A major win': Seattle-area AMR EMTs approve contract with 19% wage increase
EMS1

AMR EMTs in the Seattle area have ratified a new contract that includes a significant 19% wage increase over three years.

MD Overdose Deaths Hit 10-Year Low
JEMS

Maryland has reported its lowest number of overdose-related fatalities in a decade, signaling progress in its public health interventions.

ZOLL Medical Appoints Eric Knudsen as New CEO
JEMS

Eric Knudsen has been named the new Chief Executive Officer for major EMS device manufacturer ZOLL Medical Corporation.

Feds Unveil Program to Address Addiction and Homelessness
JEMS

The federal government has launched a new initiative aimed at providing integrated care for individuals facing both addiction and homelessness.

📋 Clinical Medicine Updates
Wash. county paramedics begin using onboard ultrasound to improve patient care
EMS1

Paramedics in a Washington county are now utilizing prehospital ultrasound to enhance diagnostic capabilities and guide treatment in the field.

Fla. county FD adopts IV acetaminophen as first-line pain treatment
EMS1

A Florida fire department has updated its protocols to include intravenous acetaminophen as a primary non-opioid option for pain management.

CA Agencies Warn About Dangers of Kratom Products
JEMS

California health agencies have issued a public warning regarding the potential health risks and dangers associated with kratom-containing products.

Strengthen Pediatric Emergency Care with New Free Modules
ACEP Now

New, free educational modules are now available to help providers enhance their skills and knowledge in pediatric emergency care.

📈 Operational & Leadership Updates
$162K grant helps Va. EMS purchase new ambulance
EMS1

A Virginia EMS agency has secured a $162,000 grant to fund the purchase of a much-needed new ambulance for its fleet.

Time management in EMS isn’t about the clock — it’s about survival
EMS1

This article discusses effective time management strategies as a crucial tool for career longevity and avoiding burnout in EMS.

Worth every minute: 3 daily stress-relief habits
EMS1

Providers can adopt three simple, daily habits outlined in this article to effectively manage stress and improve overall wellness.

⚖️ Legislative Updates
KY EMS Agencies Lobby for Higher Reimbursement from Insurers
JEMS

EMS agencies in Kentucky are actively lobbying for legislation that would mandate higher reimbursement rates from insurance carriers.

[RI] H7485: Provides coverage and increases individual and group insurance rates of reimbursement for ambulance services.
RI Legislature

A Rhode Island bill aims to increase insurance reimbursement rates for ambulance services to better reflect the actual cost of care.

[WA] SB5933: Facilitating the rapid sharing of overdose mapping information for overdose prevention.
WA Legislature

Washington State is considering a bill to create a system for rapid information sharing of overdose data to enhance prevention efforts.