In case you missed it, something big happened in EMS over the weekend. Last Friday night EMS folks from around the world gathered in San Francisco for the premier of the reality series The Chronicles of EMS.
If you haven’t seen the first episode yet, you can find it right here. I strongly encourage you to take 20 minutes out of your day and watch it right now. This series and the individuals who surround it are worth watching not only for what they are doing, which is incredibly cool, but for what they represent.
The Chronicles of EMS isn’t just an extremely cool EMS documentary. It’s a milestone. It’s representative of a shift in the conversation about what EMS is, what it’s supposed to be and how we’re going to help it evolve. The conversation about the future of EMS is shifting away from the policy makers and mainstream EMS media and becoming guided by the individuals on the street who are doing the job each day. It’s an interesting and powerful shift.
Armed with the tools of the social media, like cameras, laptop computers, personal blogs and twitter streams, medics like Mark and Justin are exerting a huge influence over what we talk about when we talk about EMS. They are an example of how individuals who are willing to engage can become powerful levers for change. They both have very little organizational authority, but they are becoming a major influence within our industry by simply, respectfully, asking the question, “How can we make this better?”
I wasn’t able to be at the premier and show my support for this project in person. On the night when San Francisco became the geographic epicenter of EMS blogging, I was a mere 30 minutes away, at a nursing home, spending some precious time with my grandfather. There was no doubt in my mind that I was in the right place, yet my mind often wandered to the room full of people I’ve come to think of as friends and the important milestone that was taking place.
Fortunately, this event was well supported by the blogging community and you can get a great taste for the flavor of the event by visiting some of the sites of the bloggers who were there.
Justin Schorr – The Happy Medic
Chris Kaiser – Life Under the Lights
Gina Kaiser – @ginakaiser (Twitter Stream)
Greg Friese – Everyday EMS Tips
Natalie – MsParamedic’s Musings
Chris Montera – @Geekymedic (Twitter Stream)
Sam Bradley – Red Lights, Hot Spots and Disaster
Thaddeus Setla – @setla(Twitter Stream) <— (Pssttt, he’s the filmmaker)
If you’re interested in an inside look at what it was like to be there when the lights went down on the premier, these blogger’s and EMS personalities have the inside perspective.
What do you think?: How will Chronicles of EMS influence our jobs?
Thanks for the mention of me AND my lovely wife. I have to say that the tweetup was a great place to be with many of my EMS heroes participating in the event. What a night!
You’re right on with your comments. The Chronicles of EMS represent a paradigm shift in the industry. When two medics and some motivated people come together with the goal of improving how EMS does the business of caring for people and saving lives, there’s little that can stop them. We’re taking ownership of our profession and I’m honored to play a part in it.
Keep spreading the word, everyone. Bring in your partners, your coworkers, your colleagues, and your friends. Show them what we’re on the verge of accomplishing. It’s up to every one of us to own Paramedicine and usher in EMS 2.0
Your blog, your focus on family, and your commitment to EMS are three great examples of “how we can make this better.” Thanks.
The impact of Chronicles of EMS will be tremendous on my primary job as an online educator as I believe it will help bring more EMS professionals online for career related entertainment and training. That impact will be fairly fast.
I also think it will accelerate the leadership transition that is already happening in EMS education. In education leadership is transitioning from physicians and nurses to advanced degree paramedics that have chosen to specialize in education.
Great stuff Steve. Their will be more big events for us to meet in person.
I just watched the episode and it’s a truly great look to see how a paramedic from across the world can come over and see how a US “fire based” EMS system works. I was suprised at how much the patients inability to pay affected the British Paramedic and I think it will bring great insight for US Pre Hospital Care providers as to how things work in the UK. Thanks Steve
I watched live @ work in between calls. Excellent to see EMS getting its due, instead of just being “the other type of call,” we run @ the FD, especially given that its 60-70% of our call volume.
As EPI mentioned, the inability of patients to pay is a huge stumbling block w/convincing them we need to transport them sometimes. I have this conversation, at least once a week w/a patient between p-school rides and work.
Big props to Justin, Mark, and there crew for getting this done and to Steve and all the bloggers for picking through the topics and holding us to a higher standard. Working to the minimum standards is never good enough.
@CKEMTP Amen brother.
@Greg. Thanks my friend.
@EPI I agree that was a very genuine and powerful moment. It’s worth thinking about. Mark could have gone on some tirade or campaign or big rant about the system, but that simple moment was so much more effective.
@Sean Well said brau.
I really enjoyed the premiere episode of Chronicles. It is nice to see a group of people involved in promoting change and raising awareness for the profession.
However, a slight correction: I wasn’t at the premiere in SF. I wish I could have made it out.