Author Scott McConnell, MBA, BSN, RN, NRP, CEN, EMS Instructor

About Scott McConnell, MBA, BSN, RN, NRP, CEN, EMS Instructor

I started in EMS just wanting to hang around with my friends who were volunteering at the local ambulance, coming home once in awhile from the Navy I thought it would be fun so in 1991 I became an EMT-M (In PA EMT MAST) then in 1993 an EMT-B, 1995 Paramedic and in 2002 an NRP. 2008 saw me finishing nursing school and working in EDs as well as EMS. I founded DistanceCME in 2010 and here we are!

EMS Lift Assists: Turning Routine Calls into Opportunities for Better Care

When most people picture Emergency Medical Services (EMS), they imagine flashing lights, lifesaving interventions, and rapid transport to the hospital. Yet one of the most common calls EMS providers encounter is far less dramatic: the lift assist. At first glance, these calls may seem simple—helping someone off the floor and ensuring they are safe. However, [...]

Rising EMS Violence: A Growing Crisis for Emergency Responders

Violence against EMS providers is on the rise, with studies showing that up to 93% of paramedics experience verbal or physical assaults during their careers. In Indianapolis alone, paramedics face more than 350 calls a day and report at least one violent encounter per week. These incidents often go unreported, leading to burnout, PTSD, and higher turnover among frontline responders. Addressing EMS workplace violence requires better reporting systems, safety training, protective equipment, and stronger organizational support to keep providers safe and ensure patients continue to receive life-saving care.

Life After the Sirens: Retirement for EMS Providers

For many EMS providers, the job isn’t just a job—it’s an identity. We don’t simply work in EMS; we live it. The pager tones, the adrenaline, the teamwork, and even the tough calls become part of who we are. That’s why the idea of retirement can feel strange, even unsettling, especially when your not ready to [...]

New way to end a career, Shut the F$@& up!

🔥 When a First Responder Becomes the Emergency: North Babylon Chief on Leave After Viral Video A viral TikTok video showing North Babylon Volunteer Fire Chief Peter Alt shouting profanity—“Shut the fk up! It’s like this with you every f**king week!”—at a distressed 10‑year‑old girl has sparked outrage and immediate action from his agency and town [...]

🚑 Accelerate EMS Response with ActiveAlert

When emergencies strike, every second matters. ActiveAlert from Active911 is built to get first responders moving faster and smarter with real‑time alerting, mapping, and team coordination — all crucial tools for EMS teams 🔔 Instant, Reliable Alerting Seamless CAD integration: Works with virtually any dispatch Computer‑Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. Alerts are automatically parsed and pushed to [...]

When Stra­in Turns to Injury: A Case Reminder to Follow Protocols and First, Do No Harm Case Overview

In a lawsuit filed in July 2025, Jack Nastahowski, a Stamford resident, accuses Greenwich police and Emergency Medical Service personnel of causing serious health consequences after they forcibly injected him with ketamine during a May 28, 2023 incident. Nastahowski, who had been struck in the head earlier that evening and was visibly agitated, refused ambulance transport. The lawsuit [...]

Tragedy in Boulder: What Every EMS Provider Should Learn from the McClure Manslaughter Case ⚠️

On December 27, 2024, Boulder paramedic Edward McClure responded to a call involving a disturbed individual at the University of Colorado. Jesus Lopez Barcenas, 36, was found disoriented, handcuffed, and in a prone position after resisting arrest and allegedly grabbing an officer’s gun. McClure administered 5 mg of Droperidol—without a documented assessment—placed Barcenas prone on a gurney, elevated [...]

The Shift Is Changing – Are You Ready for the Future of EMS

Whether you just finished a 12 or 24-hour shift or you're sipping coffee before your night tour, there's one truth every EMS provider knows: this job never stops changing. From protocols and equipment to patient expectations and public health challenges, EMS is a dynamic beast. And while we thrive in chaos, the evolution we're experiencing now is bigger than a new monitor or a tweak to ACLS—it’s a full-on brand new shift.

Compact WHAT?

What Is the EMS Compact? A Pathway to Stronger Emergency Medical Services Nationwide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are crucial to the health and safety of communities everywhere, but the systems that provide them are often limited by geography and state borders. That’s where the EMS Compact comes in — a groundbreaking agreement designed to create more [...]

The Vital Connection Between Healthcare Providers and Self-Care

Healthcare providers are often seen as the epitome of wellness, the go-to experts for advice on maintaining physical and mental health. They are the ones who diagnose, treat, and guide patients through complex medical journeys, offering compassion and expertise along the way. However, in the midst of caring for others, healthcare providers frequently neglect a [...]