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!

New Year’s Resolutions for EMS Providers: A DistanceCME Guide to a Stronger Year

New Year’s Resolutions for EMS Providers: A DistanceCME Guide to a Stronger Year 🚑🎆 Image credit: AI-generated image created with ChatGPT (OpenAI), used for educational and editorial purposes by DistanceCME. Image credit: AI-generated image created with ChatGPT (OpenAI), used for educational and editorial purposes by DistanceCME. The New Year doesn’t pause for EMS providers. While [...]

Feasibility study for EMS Service in PA

A feasibility study conducted in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania recommends that local Emergency Medical Services agencies strengthen regional cooperation and secure dedicated funding to stabilize EMS operations. The study was requested by county commissioners and reviewed the practices of most EMS providers in the county. EMS1 Key Findings Several volunteer EMS agencies in Wyoming County have folded [...]

Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide

🎄 Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide for EMS Providers: Thoughtful & Practical Ideas for the Heroes in Your Life Christmas is a time for giving — and when it comes to EMS providers, the best gifts aren’t just festive, they’re meaningful, practical, and show deep appreciation for the work they do every day. Whether it’s a paramedic, [...]

Top Concerns for EMS Providers in 2025

1. Staffing Shortages & Burnout Continuing nationwide EMS workforce shortages Mandatory overtime and reduced time between shifts Fatigue impacting safety and patient care Difficulty recruiting and retaining new medics Burnout from high call volume and low pay relative to responsibility Paramedics feel stretched thin, and many worry the shortage will worsen. What Providers Can Do [...]

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 [...]