Don't Risk It! Podcast
90 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingDon’t Risk It is designed to help emergency service organizations better protect their responders, equipment and clients by covering a range of safety-related topics.
Every other week, host Chris Rodgers, of VFIS Client Risk Solutions, will speak with industry veterans and risk management experts to discuss what crews can do to help limit common ESO exposures. Don’t miss a single episode of Don’t Risk It! Subscribe today.
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Episodes
Incident Rehab with Tracie Young-Brungard
April 16, 2024 18:00 - 12 minutes - 10.5 MBIncident rehab serves to identify conditions in personnel that may otherwise go undetected and could lead to serious health conditions, disabilities and death. In this episode, Tracie Young-Brungard, Director of Recruitment and Retention for the PA State Fire Commissioner’s office, discusses how the concept of incident rehab applies to emergency services.
The Legal Guardian with David Givot
April 02, 2024 18:00 - 22 minutes - 19.6 MB“Documentation wins the day.” In this episode, David Givot, Esq., EMS Defense Attorney at The Legal Guardian, author of Sirens, Lights and Lawyers: The Law and Other Important Stuff EMS Providers Never Learned in School, and former paramedic from LA County, provides insight on issues he’s observed with protecting and defending EMS clients. Sirens, Lights, and Lawyers: The Law & Other Really Important Stuff EMS Providers Never Learned in School: Givot, David: 9788350901871: Amazon.com: Boo...
Electronic Vehicles and Lithium Ion Batteries with Chris Rodgers and Chief Michael O’Brian
March 19, 2024 18:00 - 32 minutes - 18.2 MBFrom electronic vehicles and mobility devices to best practices for collecting and capturing thermal batteries, in this episode, Fire Chief Michael O’Brian from Brighton Area Fire Authority talks about some best practices when encountering electronic vehicle fires.
Heights and Weights of Vehicles with Chris Rodgers & CRS Team
March 05, 2024 18:00 - 9 minutes - 9.02 MBFrom large apparatus to brush vehicles and trailers, there’s a huge liability exposure when a service vehicle exceeds the manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight. In this episode, Mike Baker and Bryan Duquin from Client Risk Solutions discuss why it’s important for ESOs to obtain the heights and weights of their emergency vehicles and some best practices for doing so. Additional Resource Visit www.responderhelp.com for additional resources on gross vehicle weight and axel weight ratings.
Cyber Security with Chris Rodgers and Shawn Nelson
February 20, 2024 18:00 - 13 minutes - 12.9 MBFrom one-off phishing emails to sophisticated cyber schemes, cybercriminal techniques continue to advance. Shawn Nelson, Chief Information Security Officer at Glatfelter Insurance Group, provides some best practices to help Emergency Service Organizations prevent cybersecurity-related incidents and protect the valuable personal information they collect. Additional Resource VFIS University offers cyber training courses to active clients.
Ambulance Service with Michael McCabe
February 06, 2024 18:00 - 21 minutes - 18.8 MBFrom patient handling to driving vehicles, in this episode, Michael McCabe, host of the EMS World Podcast and Director and CEO of McCabe Ambulance in Bayonne, NJ, talks about what keeps him up at night and the issues he’s observed in the ambulance service. https://emsworldpodcasts.podbean.com
Fire VAP with Chief Nick Perkins
January 23, 2024 18:00 - 18 minutes - 17.6 MBAs part of their work to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has developed the Fire Vulnerability Assessment Program (VAP). In this episode, Fire Chief Nick Perkins from Travis County Emergency Services District #2, provides an overview of the VAP process and explains how your organization can use this assessment to help your department’s risk reduction strategies.
Body Cameras in EMS with Tim Hearn
January 09, 2024 18:00 - 24 minutes - 17.6 MBBody cameras are being used more frequently in the emergency medical services to help with incident management and to ensure the responder behaves and is treated appropriately. In this episode, we are joined by Tim Hearn from Fort Smith EMS (Fort Smith, AR) to talk about body cameras in EMS, why and how his agency implemented this type of program, and the policy they adopted.
Non Members in Department Apparatus - ENCORE
December 12, 2023 18:00 - 10 minutes - 9.85 MBThe Don't Risk It podcast team is taking a well-deserved break this winter, but we will be back in January with new episodes. In the meantime, we are revisiting a few episodes that focus on critical issues emergency responders face in their day-to-day duties. Whether Santa is riding in the hose bed for the holidays, or a citizen or non-member is riding along for clinical experience, when non-members ride in department apparatus, it can take the driver’s attention off the road. When a driv...
Winter Weather Prep - ENCORE
November 28, 2023 18:00 - 8 minutes - 8.02 MBThe Don't Risk It podcast team is taking a well-deserved break this winter but we will be back in January with new episodes. In the meantime, we are revisiting a few episodes that focus on critical issues emergency responders face in their day-to-day. Be ahead of the game when preparing your property for seasonal changes in temperature. In this roundtable discussion with members of the Client Risk Solutions team, we talk about some best practices for winterizing stations and support facili...
History of VFIS with Randy Hess
November 14, 2023 17:00 - 19 minutes - 17.3 MBVFIS Risk Control’s expertise and commitment to safety have not only saved countless lives but also improved the overall effectiveness of emergency service providers across the country. In this episode, we talk with Randy Hess, former Director of VFIS Risk Control, about the historical impact of Client Risk Solutions on Emergency Services.
Emergency Vehicle Response with VFIS Client Risk Solutions
October 31, 2023 17:00 - 19 minutes - 17 MBFrom intersection best practices to smart use of privately-owned vehicles, it’s important that every vehicle operator understands what is expected from management. In this episode, members of the VFIS Client Risk Solutions team discuss the importance of having written policies and procedures in place and offer some best practices for developing emergency response guidelines for your ESO.
Modified Response with VFIS Client Risk Solutions
October 17, 2023 18:22 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBLights and Sirens response increases the chances of an emergency vehicle crash by 50% and almost triples the chances of a crash during a patient transport. It’s critical to think about how you’re responding to the event you’re dispatched for. In this episode with members of the VFIS Client Risk Solutions team, we discuss modified response and the use of lights and sirens in your organization.
Rollover Prevention with VFIS Client Risk Solutions
October 03, 2023 17:00 - 14 minutes - 12.9 MBIn addition to significant injury or death, rollover accidents leave the ESO without a vehicle, facing costly repairs and long turnaround times for a replacement. In this episode with members of the VFIS team, we discuss the significance of rollover prevention and some best practices for driver training and policy development.
Recruitment and Retention with Tracie Young-Brungard
September 19, 2023 17:00 - 11 minutes - 9.77 MBTo maintain the viability of volunteer fire and emergency services there is a definite need to recruit and retain volunteers. Tracie Young-Brungard BS, EMTP, RRC, Recruitment & Retention Administrator for the Pennsylvania Office of the State Fire Commissioner joins the discussion on retention and recruitment of personnel in emergency services, offering suggestions on recruiting and retaining members and providing some supportive legislative materials.
Non-Members in Department Apparatus
September 05, 2023 19:00 - 10 minutes - 9.57 MBWhether Santa is riding in the hose bed for the holidays, or a citizen or non-member is riding along for clinical experience, when non-members ride in department apparatus, it can take the driver’s attention off the road. When a driver is distracted from safe vehicle operation, the risk of injury or damage increases. In this episode, members of the VFIS team discuss important considerations for allowing non-ESO members to ride in department vehicles.
Peer Support with Bryan Duquin and Chaplain Jimmy Fannin
August 22, 2023 17:00 - 19 minutes - 16 MBPeer support has been shown to help recognize and reduce presentations of incident stress and pre-PTSD and can be a beneficial route to help first responders avoid PTSD. VFIS’ Bryan Duquin and Chief Chaplain Jimmy Fannin of Chaplains Corps of Lancaster County join the program to offer suggestions for providing peer support to ESO members
Grounding Best Practices with Chris Rodgers and Tom LaBarge
August 08, 2023 17:00 - 32 minutes - 20.1 MBA good grounding system is designed to keep electrical surges out of your building. A better system also has a failsafe for electricity to bounce out if it does get in. What grounding system do you have in place? Chances are, it’s obsolete, even if it has been maintained. In this episode, Tom LaBarge from GroundLinx Technologies, LLC provides some education and best practices when it comes to lightning protection and grounding for emergency service facilities.
Hose Securement with VFIS Client Risk Solutions
July 25, 2023 17:00 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBUnintentional hose deployment is an embarrassment at best for a fire department but the key concern is for the life and property of others. In this episode, members of the VFIS team discuss the significance of hose securement and provide some best practices to help reduce the exposure. More information regarding this topic can be found in section 15.10 of the NFPA 1901: Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus (2016).
Pediatric Injury Prevention with Shannon DePatto
July 11, 2023 17:00 - 13 minutes - 11.6 MBIn 2020, gunshot wounds were the leading cause of injury and death to children. In this episode, Trauma Prevention Coordinator Shannon DePatto from Penn State Children’s Hospital talks about the hospital’s efforts to reduce pediatric injuries and trauma, and provides guidance on what emergency service providers need to know about safety when caring for and transporting pediatric patients.
Backing Best Practices with VFIS Client Risk Solutions
June 27, 2023 17:00 - 12 minutes - 10.5 MBBacking into stations or fixed objects is one of the most common types of claims we see in the VFIS program. Having a Backing Policy in place gives members and volunteers an understanding of management’s expectations when it comes to backing. In this conversation with members of the VFIS Client Risk Solutions team, we discuss some best practices to consider when developing a backing policy.
Psychiatric Transport Vehicles with Jerry Schramm
June 13, 2023 17:56 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBAn ambulance and crew performing a long-distance transport of a psychiatric patient may not be the most efficient use of an ESO’s resources. As an alternative, non-emergent psychiatric transport vehicles can be a safe and efficient way to transfer these individuals, requiring lower operating costs and less manpower. In This episode, Deputy Chief Jerry Schramm, B.S, EMT-P, Director of Operations for Lancaster EMS discusses his organization’s integration of these types of mental health vehic...
VFIS University with Maria Lichty
May 30, 2023 17:00 - 8 minutes - 7.24 MBVFIS University offers quality online education and training courses for emergency responders. In this episode, Maria Lichty, ETC Distance Learning Coordinator, reviews some recent changes to the VFIS University learning management system, including enhancements and new features to come. Learn more at www.vfisu.com.
Rental Hall Agreements
May 16, 2023 17:00 - 14 minutes - 13 MBWhile leasing out apparatus bays, social halls, meeting spaces and pavilions can be a good source of revenue for an Emergency Services Organization, rental exposures, such as alcohol, vandalism, and slips, trips and falls also present some significant liability risks. In this episode, the Client Risk Solutions team discusses rental exposures and agreements and offers suggestions for ESOs considering renting their facilities.
Elevator Rescue with Sam Clark
May 02, 2023 17:00 - 21 minutes - 19.3 MBElevator rescues are not uncommon occurrences in fire response and can pose significant challenges to rescuers if they have no basic training. In this episode, Sam Clark of Clark Fire and Rescue Training addresses some of the challenges and risks of elevator rescues, from the modernization of elevator technology to deficits in this type of training. Contact Sam at [email protected] for more information on Elevator Rescue Training opportunities and additional resources for your ESO.
Honoring our LODD Heroes with Troy Markel
April 18, 2023 17:00 - 8 minutes - 7.47 MBEach year, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation sponsors a national tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year. Thousands attend the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Join us for this episode, featuring Foundation Chairman of the Board, Troy Markel, who reflects on what this event means to him and how we can all make a difference in responder safety.
Chaplains in the Fire Service with Jimmy Fannin
April 04, 2023 17:00 - 18 minutes - 16.4 MBFirst responders see victims when they’re at their worst and don’t typically know the outcome. Who helps the responder process and manage the emotional trauma they see every day? In this episode, Jimmy Fannin, Emergency Services Chaplain and Chief Chaplain for Chaplains Corp of Lancaster County, talks about managing incident stress to help responders avoid PTSD and some of the hurdles in creating chaplaincy programs within ESOs.
Agreed Value with Chris Rodgers and Peter Feid
March 21, 2023 17:00 - 21 minutes - 19.9 MBWhat are the different types of physical damage insurance for emergency vehicles? Which may be best suited for your organization? In this episode we are discussing the concept of “Agreed Value” and how it applies to the VFIS client base. Peter Feid, Sales Executive with VFIS, and Mike Baker, Director of Client Risk Solutions for VFIS, join the program to clear up some confusion about this type of coverage, provide a better understanding of the concept and offer suggestions that clients can u...
Paramedicine with Dave Bradley and Blair Tyndall
March 07, 2023 17:00 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBCommunity paramedicine is coming back to the forefront as ESOs are seeing the benefits of doing business a different way. In this episode, we talk with Emergency Services Industry Specialist Dave Bradley and Industry Specialist Blair Tyndall of VFIS Client Risk Solutions about community paramedicine and the various models they’ve seen throughout the country. We also touch on some of the challenges of maintaining a successful and ongoing program.
Water Rescue with Todd Stahl and Bryan Duquin
February 21, 2023 17:00 - 20 minutes - 20.7 MBWater can be powerful and relentless. Although low in volume, water-related emergencies are high risk. Todd Stahl, President of WhiteCap Rescue Training, joins us along with Bryan Duquin of VFIS to talk about water rescue training and some best practices to help keep rescuers and victims as safe as possible. Don’t underestimate the power of moving water. Responders must continue to train in all conditions, be proficient in swimming skills and be able to save themselves before saving others....
Creative Fundraising and Fidelity
February 07, 2023 17:00 - 10 minutes - 10.4 MBFundraising events are not just a way to raise money for an emergency services organization. They also provide visibility in the community. Bryan Duquin and Blair Tyndall of VFIS Client Risk Solutions join us to discuss some creative ways organizations can engage in fundraising and some things to consider when your agency chooses to go this route, including fidelity best practices for handling money potentially collected during fundraising events.
Changes in EMS
January 24, 2023 17:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBEvolutions in vehicle construction and safety, changes in procedures for PPE, emergency lighting, securing portable equipment and new training needs (to name a few), have altered the landscape of emergency response over the years. In this roundtable discussion, we hear from members of the VFIS Client Risk Solutions team as they reflect on changes They've observed in the industry over the course of their careers.
HR Suggestions for ESOs
January 10, 2023 17:00 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBWho is responsible for making HR decisions in your organization? In this episode, we talk about the ever-changing field of Human Resources and how it applies to emergency services. Glatfelter’s Suzanne McConkey, Vice President of Human Resources, and Sara Spangler, Manager of Talent Acquisition and Engagement, join us to provide their insight and offer some best practices for organizations who may not have the resources to employ full-time HR personnel.
Requirements vs. Recommendations
December 27, 2022 17:00 - 10 minutes - 10.2 MBIntentional or unintentional, wrongdoing or a mistake made within an ESO makes for a bold headline. The vast majority of emergency responders set out to do the right thing; but that doesn’t necessarily mean the same thing as being compliant. In this episode, we’re joined by VFIS Education Specialist Justin Eberly who offers clarification and guidance on operational requirements for emergency services versus recommended best practices.
Lessons Learned at VFIS
December 13, 2022 17:00 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBBe at the top of your game by following your organization’s policies and procedures. Dave Bradley and the VFIS team look back on what they wish they knew when serving as responders — including the importance of having an increased focus on driver training, burnout and fatigue in the workforce, best practices for documentation, developing a strong safety culture and risk resources and training availability.
Rethinking Volunteer Retention and Recruitment
November 29, 2022 06:00 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MBVolunteer recruitment and retention are among the top issues facing volunteer Fire and EMS organizations. In this episode with Rick Gurba, VFIS Director of Education and Training, we talk about the difference between these two separate functions and discuss a unique way to address these issues within emergency service organizations.
Recruitment and Retention Using Social Media
November 15, 2022 17:00 - 27 minutes - 24.9 MB“Keep your brand in your voice” as this is the identity of your department. Jenny Bragiel, Communications Specialist with Loudoun County Fire and Rescue., joins us to talk about social media and how to improve your department's brand and digital presence to recruit and retain new members. She walks us through how to leverage social media to reach out to other groups/organizations, build bonds within the community and promote members. Following these key concepts can assist your organization ...
Ice Rescue
November 01, 2022 17:00 - 17 minutes - 17.4 MBThere is no such thing as safe ice. Although a low-volume occurrence, water and ice rescue is a high-risk situation and it’s easy for a rescuer to become part of the problem and not the solution. In this episode, we interview Todd Stahl, President and Lead Instructor of WhiteCap Water Rescue, to discuss how to effectively train for these conditions.
Winter Weather Prep
October 18, 2022 09:00 - 8 minutes - 8.48 MBBe ahead of the game when preparing your property for seasonal changes in temperature. In this roundtable discussion with members of the Client Risk Solutions team, we talk about some best practices for winterizing stations and support facilities, as well as things to inspect after a major storm. Visit https://www.vfis.com/Property-Management for additional resources on this topic.
Changes in the Fire Service
October 04, 2022 09:00 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBThe Fire Service industry has undergone dramatic changes in the past decade - from training, station design, mental and physical health and wellness of responders, to command structure, accountability and more. In this group discussion with the VFIS team, we take on several topics and industry trends regarding safety and risk reduction. Our hope is to spark ideas of how to positively affect your department. Change is inevitable. Be a leader and catalyst for change within the industry and you...
Risk Control for Mid-Level Management Update
September 20, 2022 09:00 - 9 minutes - 10.9 MBIn this episode, we revisit with VFIS Emergency Services Specialist Blair Tyndall and discuss employment practices and the challenges mid-level managers face. Blair has presented the Risk Control for Mid-Level Management program to departments across the country and joins us to share some of the things he’s learned while teaching the course and offer some advice to potentially assist your organization in better preparing these individuals to succeed in their role as a manager. Please reach...
Beyond the Incident
September 06, 2022 09:00 - 22 minutes - 17.1 MB“It’s easy to focus on the negatives of an incident, but the positives are what you continue to build on.” Fire Chief Todd Gauldin with Stokesdale Fire Department in N.C. talks to us about an incident his department experienced, the post-accident investigation process they used, and the lessons they learned. Reach out to Chief Gauldin via the Stokesdale Fire Department website for more details about their Post-Accident Investigation presentation and how you can receive the training.
Striking Fixed Objects
August 23, 2022 09:00 - 10 minutes - 10.6 MBParked vehicles, utility poles, other emergency vehicles, the station itself - striking fixed objects is a common type of loss in fire and EMS services. But, these types of losses are largely avoidable. In this roundtable discussion with members of the VFIS Client Risk Solutions team we discuss this issue and how crews can help reduce the rate of incidents through written response guidelines, training and a positive safety culture.
Encore Episode: Fatigue Management Part 2 with Chesterfield Fire & EMS
August 09, 2022 09:00 - 29 minutes - 17.5 MBThe Don't Risk It podcast team is taking a well-deserved break this summer, but we will be back soon with new episodes. In the meantime, we are revisiting a few episodes that focus on critical issues emergency responders face in their day-to-day. Fatigue impacts personal health as well as a responder’s ability to perform key functions including patient care, incident command and vehicle operations. In this episode we revisit the discussion of fatigue management in EMS operations with Fire ...
Encore Episode: Fatigue Management Part 1
July 26, 2022 09:00 - 8 minutes - 7.09 MBThe Don't Risk It podcast team is taking a well-deserved break this summer, but we will be back soon with new episodes. In the meantime, we are revisiting a few episodes that focus on critical issues emergency responders face in their day-to-day. Fatigue impacts personal health as well as a responder’s ability to perform key functions including patient care, incident command and vehicle operations. Efforts to move to shorter shifts continue to face significant resistance while the number o...
Encore Episode: Incident Stress Management
July 12, 2022 09:00 - 17 minutes - 14.9 MBThe Don't Risk It podcast team is taking a well-deserved break this summer, but we will be back soon with new episodes. In the meantime, we are revisiting a few episodes that focus on critical issues emergency responders face in their day-to-day. Critical incident stress can have a lasting effect on emergency responders; yet, the stigma surrounding mental illness often interferes with seeking help. Dr. Kathy Jansen discusses potential solutions to help manage traumatic situations when they...
Encore Episode: Sterile Cab Concept in Practice
June 28, 2022 09:00 - 8 minutes - 9.98 MBThe Don't Risk It podcast team is taking a well-deserved break this summer, but we will be back soon with new episodes. In the meantime, we are revisiting a few episodes that focus on critical issues emergency responders face in their day-to-day. Distracted driving is a significant factor in vehicle accidents and emergency services organizations (ESOs) are not immune to these incidents. Historically, emergency vehicles have had a degree of distraction built in by design with two-way radio ...
Situational Awareness
June 14, 2022 09:00 - 42 minutes - 21.4 MBSituational awareness is a person's ability to perceive and understand what is happening in the environment around them, while accurately predicting what will happen next - a critical skill for firefighters and emergency responders. Dr. Rich Gasaway is widely considered one of the nation's leading authorities on human error, situational awareness and high-risk decision-making processes. He has also spent over three decades as an emergency responder, and will join us this week to discuss situ...
Differences without Division
May 31, 2022 09:00 - 20 minutes - 15.8 MBImplicit and explicit biases can greatly impact the culture of an emergency service organization, as well as how responders react to their environments in the field. This week, Director of VFIS Training Programs, Rick Gurba joins the podcast to discuss suggestions on how to manage personal differences while avoiding behaviors that divide personnel within the workplace.
Cancer in the Fire Service Part 2 - Decontamination with Concord Fire Department
May 17, 2022 09:00 - 14 minutes - 12.7 MBFollowing up from our previous episode, we continue our discussion on the prevalence of cancer within the fire service. We welcome Fire Chief Jake Williams, Deputy Fire Marshall Travis McGaha and Training Chief Joshua Simpson from Concord Fire Department of North Carolina and ask them about their decontamination program and procedures.