The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect
The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect is where first responders continue the conversation after the call.
Hosted by EMS educator Shaun Pitts, each episode brings together paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, physicians, educators, and industry leaders to explore the topics that shape our profession. From clinical medicine and patient care to leadership, mental health, education, career development, and the realities of life in emergency services, we cover the conversations that happen when the radios are quiet.
Whether you’re on your commute, between calls, or finally enjoying some time off, you’ll leave every episode with practical insights, fresh perspectives, and ideas you can take back to your next shift.
Because learning doesn’t stop when the call ends.
The Off Shift Podcast by EMSconnect. Real conversations. Better providers. Stronger responders.
Episodes
93 episodes
What I Wish I Knew: The Lessons Every Rookie Firefighter Learns Too Late with Nic Pluskota
Starting a career in EMS or the fire service can be exciting, overwhelming, and full of lessons no one teaches you in class. In this episode, I sit down with Nic Pluskota to talk about everything rookie. From earning trust in the station to avo...
Care vs. Clarity: Should Empathy Step Back on Scene?
EMS training is designed to build competence, but it often fails to prepare providers for the chaos, complexity, and human side of real-world calls. In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we break down insights from EMS1’s reader response arti...
Standards, Service & Something Greater with Zac Willhide
In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Zac — a firefighter/EMT with both volunteer and career experience — to explore what it truly takes to serve at a high standard in the fire and EMS world. From his early days on t...
Exhausted Isn’t Normal: What EMS Needs to Know About Hormones & Fatigue with Haley Scellick, ARNP from First Responder Health and Wellness
Why are so many EMS providers exhausted—even when they “sleep”? Why does stress feel constant, recovery impossible, and burnout unavoidable?In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we’re joined by Haley Scellick, ARNP from F...
BLS Essentials: Tox Talk: What’s Poisoning Your Patient?
Poisonings and overdoses are a growing portion of EMS calls, and rapid recognition can mean the difference between life and death. Toxicology 101 is designed to give BLS providers a practical, field-focused approach to identifying and managing ...
Inside The Movie Code 3: EMS, Burnout, and the Stories That Stay
In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Patrick Pianezza, former Paramedic and Writer of the film Code 3, for an honest, inside look at telling EMS stories from someone who has actually lived them.Patrick shares how his ...
Read Between the Lines: Mastering Rhythm Strips & ECG Basics
Join Shaun Pitts on EMSconnect On Shift as he sits down with Dr. Travis Dierks for an essential deep dive into ECG interpretation. Whether you’re an EMT, paramedic, or just looking to strengthen your cardiac knowledge, this episode bre...
Bridging the Pediatric Comfort Gap: A Flight Medic’s Perspective
In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Ian—a seasoned paramedic and flight clinician whose journey started with Ada County Paramedics back in 2012. After earning his paramedic certification in 2014, Ian set his sights...
Following Your EMT Clinical Compass and Being Ride-Time Ready!
In this essential pre-clinical briefing, veteran educator and field provider Shaun Pitts breaks down the mindset, expectations, and professional habits every EMT student needs before stepping onto an ambulance or walking into a clinical ...
BLS Provider Essentials: Mastering Respiratory Emergencies
In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, Quinn dives deep into one of the most common and critical calls in prehospital care: respiratory emergencies. From asthma and COPD to CHF and pneumonia, Quinn breaks down the “Big 4” respi...
When Brains Short-Circuit: The EMS Guide to Seizure Chaos
Seizures don’t follow the rules—and in the prehospital setting, neither can you. Join Dr. Maika Dang, Emergency Medicine Physician and EMS Medical Director, as he unpacks the unpredictable world of seizure emergencies in this dynamic and engagi...
Prehospital Care for the Aging Population
The geriatric population is one of the fastest-growing patient groups EMS providers will encounter, and caring for these individuals requires unique knowledge and skills. Prehospital Care for the Aging Population equips EMS professionals with t...
BLS Provider Essentials: Abdominal Emergencies
In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, Shaun Pitts dives deep into one of the most common—and most challenging—calls in EMS: abdominal pain. From appendicitis to pancreatitis, this discussion explores the anatomy, physiology, a...
EMSConnect On Shift Behind the Scenes
The record button was accidentally left on… and now you get a behind-the-scenes peek at what happens when we’re not being professional or sticking to the script! While we have to cut this from the official course on the website, it would be a c...
Crushed, Collapsed, Compromised: Thoracic Trauma Triage
When the chest takes the hit, everything changes—fast. From blunt force impacts to penetrating trauma, thoracic injuries can rapidly become life-threatening, leaving EMS providers with seconds to act and no room for error."Crushed, Coll...
BLS Provider Essentials: Knocked Out, What Every EMT Needs to Know About Head Trauma
Head injuries are unpredictable, high-risk, and often present in ways that challenge even the most experienced EMT. In this fast-paced, BLS-focused podcast, we’ll break down what you must know when responding to patients with suspected...
No Pulse, No Problem: Crushing Cardiac Arrest in the Field
When seconds count and the pressure is on, what really makes the difference in saving a life? In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we sit down with Dr. Eric Ernest—emergency physician, EMS medical director, and resuscitation nerd—to...
The Airway Code: Cracking the Science Behind Breathing
In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, we’re unlocking the mysteries of the human airway. Designed for EMS professionals ready to level up, The Airway Code breaks down complex anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology into rea...
BLS Provider Essentials: Airway Tools
In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, to dive deep into one of the most critical aspects of prehospital care—airway management. From basic adjuncts to supraglottic airways, Shaun and Nathan review essential anatomy and p...
Keep Calm, and CYA: Medical and Legal Considerations with David Givot
I sat down with David Givot, author of Sirens, Lights, and Lawyers, on the EMSconnect On Shift Podcast, and let me tell you—this one’s a game-changer.This episode is a serious eye-opener about the legal blind spots...
Clots & Clues: Decoding Stroke in the Field
Time is brain, and early recognition is key! Clots & Clues: Decoding Stroke in the Field is an essential course designed for EMS providers seeking to sharpen their assessment skills and improve patient outcomes in stroke emergencies. This c...
BLS Provider Essentials: Altered Level of Consciousness
The lecture covers altered mental status for EMTs, focusing on brain anatomy and causes like hypoglycemia, intoxication, and head injuries. It highlights the importance of assessing blood glucose levels, especially in diabetic patients and unde...
Street Smarts: Mastering Toxidromes and the World of Street Drugs for EMS with Dr. Ryan Stanton and Spokane Police Officer Mike Thomas
In the ever-evolving world of prehospital care, understanding toxidromes and street drugs is essential for EMS providers. This dynamic course offers a comprehensive look into the effects, assessment, and trends of substance use from two distinc...
BLS Provider Essentials: Medical Patient Assessment
In this episode of EMSconnect On Shift, host Shaun Pitts sits down with Nathan Denison to break down the essentials of medical patient assessment for EMTs. From the initial scene size-up to the detailed secondary assessment, we cover t...
BLS Provider Essentials: Trauma Assessment with Shaun Pitts and Nathan Denison
Join Shaun Pitts and Nathan Denison of EMSconnect for this comprehensive course on the basics of trauma assessment for EMTs. Designed for new and experienced providers alike, this course equips participants with essential knowledge and practica...