New “Treat‑On‑Scene” Medicare Reimbursement Bill Could Transform EMS Care Models A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress would create a pilot program allowing EMS agencies to bill Medicare for treating patients on‑scene rather than requiring hospital transport. JEMS Why it matters: This could fundamentally change how EMS handles non‑emergency or low-acuity calls — instead of defaulting to transport, crews could treat on scene and release patients safely. For students, that means future EMT/paramedic roles may expand beyond traditional 911/transport duties toward community paramedicine, triage, and alternative‑care pathways — skills worth learning now. New Resiliency Training Funded to Address EMS Provider Mental‑Health and PTSD Risks A $3.3 million federal grant will fund a resiliency and stress‑management training program for firefighters and EMS providers in New York and Texas beginning in 2026. The training includes early recognition of trauma exposure, stress‑management techniques, and lifestyle guidance aimed at reducing PTSD and burnout rates among first responders. EMS1 Why it matters: EMS providers are at high risk for chronic stress, mental‑health issues, and burnout — which affects decision‑making, safety, retention, and long-term career sustainability. For students, this alerts you early that mental health and resilience are as important as medical skills. Learning stress‑management and self‑care now can pay off long before you face repeated crisis calls.

Virtual reality (VR) and artificial‑intelligence–enhanced simulation training are gaining traction in EMS education. A recent article discusses how immersive tools are being used for clinical reasoning, teamwork, and scene management — not just technical skills. While not exclusively brand new, this is part of a growing trend EMS students should be aware of: training modalities evolving and potentially altering how you learn and certify. 🔗 Read more What's your thoughts on VR for EMS training? Think it will be a benefit in school?

1. Legal/Ethical Boundaries for EMS Clinicians — DUI Blood Draws on Scene A recent article on EMS1 highlighted a new policy in Vanderburgh County, Indiana where certified fire-department paramedics are allowed to perform on-scene evidentiary blood draws for suspected DUI cases. Some EMS professionals responded strongly, indicating this shifts them into a law-enforcement role and raises ethical and legal concerns such as provider subpoenas, role confusion, and patient-care issues. The story is relevant for students because it underscores how official protocols, scope of practice, provider documentation, and agency policy must align — and how stepping into non-medical roles can expose providers and systems to risk. Read more: EMS1 article 2. Workforce & Response Model Research — Rethinking Response Times and Staffing A white paper cited by several EMS organizations (including National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians) suggests that for most EMS responses, extremely short response intervals may not meaningfully impact patient outcomes. In fact, only about 6.9 % of patients require what the document terms “potentially life-saving interventions (PLSI).” The piece argues for redesigning EMS staffing and response models that match acuity, rather than focusing solely on rapid arrival times. For EMS students, this invites a reconsideration of traditional teaching around “lights and sirens” or shortest-possible response. It reminds you that triage, dispatch accuracy, resource allocation, skill maintenance, and scene management are just as important in modern EMS systems. Reference: USFA blog summarizing the white paper 3. Protocol/Standard – Changes in the American Heart Association (“AHA”) 2025 CPR/ECC Guidelines A recent article summarizes how the 2025 AHA Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care provide updates to the chain of survival, choking management, opioid-overdose algorithms, and the role of mechanical CPR devices. EMS1+1

Interesting article. This wearable device can assist with information about good chest compressions. Technology is going to advance a lot in EMS. University of Michigan Develops AI-Driven Cardiac Arrest Device The University of Michigan received a $5.5 million grant to develop INSIGHT-CPR, a wearable sensor that provides real-time diastolic blood pressure data during cardiac arrest. This tool aims to personalize resuscitation efforts and improve survival rates. EMS students should be aware of how emerging technologies can enhance patient monitoring and treatment precision. EMS1

1. A new hand‑position technique for infant chest compressions is under review for inclusion in resuscitation protocols. A recent article on Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS) introduces a proposed alternative to the two‑finger or two‑thumb encircling technique for infant CPR. The method uses the index finger wrapped around the thumb to apply pressure along a vertical strip of the sternum, which may reduce rescuer fatigue and improve compression quality during prolonged CPR. Agencies and educators should monitor this proposal, as it may affect training, skill checklists, and infant arrest protocols in the near future. 🔗 Read the full article 2. Smart Devices Are Changing How People Access 911 The rise of wearable tech and voice assistants means an increasing number of emergency calls are being initiated by smart devices instead of a phone call. According to the article, researchers predict that by next year up to one‑third of 911 activations could come from devices. For EMS students, this means dispatch and responder training must adapt—scene information may arrive faster, but may also be less detailed, and crews will need to anticipate unknowns when a device triggers a call. 🔗 Read more: ems1.com – “As smart devices change emergency calls, 911 centers must adapt” 3. Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a larger role in EMS vehicle operations and decision‑support, as highlighted in EMS World Expo 2025 coverage. An article from EMS World previews how AI platforms are being developed to recognize cardiac arrest via dispatch audio, optimize ambulance redeployment, and enhance situational awareness for crews. For students, this signals that future practice will increasingly integrate digital tools and analytics—not just clinical skills. Early familiarity with these technologies may give you an advantage in adapting to evolving EMS systems.