EMS Briefing: Friday, March 20, 2026

A Florida paramedic faces felony charges for allegedly stealing fentanyl vials from an ambulance for personal use.

Authorities in North Carolina pursued a stolen ambulance for 50 miles after a man took it from one hospital and drove to another.

Maryland's specialized physician-led GO TEAM was dispatched to a multi-vehicle incident involving a bus to provide advanced trauma care on-scene.

Staten Island residents and officials are meeting with hospital leaders to address concerns over healthcare access and emergency services.

Differentiating between heat exhaustion and exertional hyponatremia is critical as aggressive fluid resuscitation can be harmful in the latter.

An editorial urges a renewed focus on perfusion, not just mechanics, to improve outcomes in cardiac arrest resuscitation.

A new podcast debates leveraging emergency department pharmacists for their cognitive input rather than just their technical skills.

A new report identifies significant gaps in Seattle's 911 ambulance coverage, leading to delayed response times.

Agencies are increasingly using online resale platforms to procure vehicles as the cost of new apparatus continues to rise.

Implementing structured peer support programs is highlighted as an essential strategy for mitigating occupational stress in EMS.

Meaningful and authentic workplace appreciation is a critical component for enhancing employee engagement and retention in EMS agencies.

Alabama lawmakers are considering legislation to create a supplemental payment program to support struggling rural ambulance services.

A contentious Alabama bill proposes establishing a 25-foot buffer zone around first responders, sparking debate over public access.

Agencies are exploring new billing models for treatment-in-place to capture revenue without requiring patient transport.

Voters in Sublette, Illinois, have approved a referendum to establish a new tax district to fund their local ambulance service.