In this episode of Outside the Box, host Kevin sits down with Ret. Chief Ken Prillaman, a veteran fire service leader with nearly five decades of experience, to discuss something every leader needs to master: seizing opportunities. From career growth to training, mentorship, and seizing the right moment to step up, this conversation explores why saying “yes” matters and how leaders can model opportunity-taking for their teams. Chief Prillaman shares lessons from his time as a Fire Chief and his ...
Jul 29, 2025•36 min•Ep. 24
In this episode of Outside the Box, we explore how Fire and EMS Leaders can intentionally shape workplace culture. Whether you lead a station, a shift, or a department, culture is happening whether you design it or not. Our host, Kevin, sits down with returning guest and school principal Kathy, whose leadership in education mirrors many of the same challenges faced in fire and EMS, including limited resources, high turnover, and the need to build strong crews from diverse teams. Together, they d...
Jul 01, 2025•38 min
Welcome to this essential episode of "Outside the Box," where host Kevin and guest Ashley Stakes, a licensed professional counselor and former paramedic, explore the psychological impacts of traumatic stress experienced by first responders. Discover how traumatic events can overwhelm the coping capacities of those in emergency services, leading to conditions such as PTSD. In this informative discussion, Ashley clarifies the distinctions between traumatic stress and cumulative stress, providing e...
Jan 06, 2025•30 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of "Outside the Box," join host Kevin and guest Ashley Stakes, a licensed professional counselor and former paramedic, as they discuss the critical issue of burnout among first responders. Ashley brings her dual expertise to illuminate the psychological and physiological impacts of stress and burnout in high-stress professions, particularly those in emergency services. The discussion delves into the concept of cumulative stress—the buildup of unresolved tension that can lead to b...
Oct 23, 2024•31 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of Outside the Box, Kevin is joined again by Mary to discuss the power of resilience and facing life's toughest challenges. Mary shares her journey from overcoming cancer twice and a difficult childhood to becoming a successful businesswoman. Despite her introverted nature and anxiety, she transitioned from a technical oil and gas role to a thriving real estate career. Mary emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities and facing fears head-on, demonstrating how engaging in ...
Jul 21, 2024•37 min•Ep. 20
In this episode of "Outside the Box," Kevin and guest Kathie Leverence explore the essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills in educational and emergency service contexts. With her rich experience in public education, Kathie discusses the parallels between teaching strategies for children and adults, highlighting the importance of developing these skills for functional decision-making. Key topics include fostering environments where making mistakes is part of learning, strategies fo...
May 08, 2024•35 min
In this episode of "Outside the Box," Kevin and his guest, Mary, reflect on the universal significance of first impressions and how they matter across vastly different industries. The conversation reveals the undeniable impact of presenting oneself with intention and professionalism, regardless of the field. We explore the parallels between selling homes and providing emergency services, focusing on the critical role of making a solid first impression. Whether staging a home to captivate potenti...
Mar 18, 2024•31 min•Ep. 18
Welcome to another episode of "Outside the Box," the EMS podcast dedicated to enhancing clinical performance and more in Sugar Land and beyond. This week, we delve into a critical skill set every EMS provider and leader must master: making decisions. Not just any decisions, but the right ones, swiftly and confidently, even when the stakes are high and the information is limited. Battalion Chief Dutch Schultz joins us as we explore the essence of decisiveness in emergency services, the importance...
Feb 05, 2024•33 min•Ep. 17
In this episode of 'Outside the Box,' we go into the critical topics of setting standards, expectations, and embracing failure. Joining us is Adriel Ramirez, a former Marine and a local CrossFit gym owner, who shares his valuable perspectives and experiences. Throughout the conversation, we explore the importance of establishing clear standards and their role in personal and professional development. Drawing from his military background and coaching experience, Adriel discusses how standards ser...
Dec 21, 2023•58 min•Ep. 16
Welcome to another episode of the Outside the Box - EMS podcast, where we delve into the fascinating intersection of journalism and the Fire/EMS industry, bringing unique insights from the world of news reporting. Our special guest, Keith Garvin, an experienced local television news anchor and reporter, shares his journey from behind the camera to the frontline of news reporting. Dive into a discussion that uncovers the similarities between journalism and EMS, focusing on the importance of credi...
Dec 06, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 15
Welcome back to "Outside the Box," the podcast that sharpens your clinical judgment. In this episode, our host, Kevin, delves into the crucial topic of the Shock Index with special guest Dr. Amanda Humphreys, the Sugar Land Fire Department Medical Director. With her rich ground and air EMS background, Amanda brings an insightful perspective on this pivotal tool in patient assessment. Tune in as we decode the Shock Index, a simple yet profound calculation that acts as the 'canary in the coal mine...
Nov 21, 2023•32 min•Ep. 14
In this episode of "Outside the Box," we sit down with Firefighter/ Paramedic Michael Dimitri to discuss the MARCH acronym — a critical approach for trauma patient assessment. Michael guides us through the life-saving techniques for handling massive bleeding, airway management, respiratory support, circulation, and hypothermia, along with the crucial identification of head injuries. Listen as we delve into the nuances of shock identification without relying solely on vital signs, emphasizing the...
Nov 10, 2023•38 min•Ep. 13
In the latest episode of "Outside the Box," join Chief Kevin Leverence and Firefighter/ Paramedic Sean Lackey as they cover the complexities of asthma and other reactive airway diseases. They discuss the efficacy and application of treatments like Albuterol, Magnesium, and the emerging use of Ketamine in respiratory emergencies. Through the conversation, they shed light on some common questions and concerns faced by Paramedics and EMS providers in high-pressure situations, emphasizing the import...
Oct 18, 2023•47 min•Ep. 12
In this episode of "Outside the Box," Kevin dives into the world of effective education and training methodologies. Joined by education expert Jennifer Perry, they explore the intricacies of group instruction, the transformation to more personalized teaching approaches, and the pivotal role of instructional coaches. From her 22 years of teaching experience, Perry emphasizes the importance of vertical alignment across grade levels, the power of pre-planning, and the value of feedback in refining ...
Sep 25, 2023•57 min•Ep. 11
Welcome to another episode of "Outside the Box", where we delve into vital skills that can enhance clinical performance in the EMS sector. Join our host as he engages with Marcello Perez, a veteran in customer service with over 20 years in the insurance industry, in a candid discussion on the art of effective communication. In this episode, Marcello shares wisdom from his career, drawing parallels between the EMS and insurance worlds in handling emotionally charged situations and emphasizing rel...
Sep 12, 2023•56 min•Ep. 10
Welcome to another episode of "Outside the Box," our EMS podcast designed to elevate clinical performance within Sugarland. Chief Atripaldi, an accomplished combat medic, paramedic, firefighter, and educator, joins us as our distinguished guest in this installment. He places the spotlight on a fundamental yet often underestimated subject: ventilation. We explore the world of patient ventilation, where bag valve masks (BVM) and mechanical ventilators take the stage, and emphasize the significance...
Sep 01, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 9
Welcome to the latest installment of Outside the Box! In today's episode, we're venturing beyond the clinical horizon into the dynamic realm of coaching, cuing, and feedback. Come along as we delve into proven techniques aimed at enriching our communication and bolstering support, not just within training and education but also on a personal level. Whether you're an experienced field training officer, a seasoned Paramedic, or a newly minted provider, this discussion is designed to help elevate y...
Aug 14, 2023•53 min•Ep. 8
In this episode of "Outside the Box," we dive into the crucial topic of hemorrhage control, exploring various life-saving techniques, including the drug Tranexamic Acid (TXA). Join us as we examine various hemorrhage control strategies utilized by pre-hospital teams. From tourniquets and hemostatic agents to quick-thinking interventions, we uncover the essential tools that can make all the difference in saving lives during critical situations. Discover the science behind TXA, an extraordinary an...
Aug 01, 2023•34 min•Ep. 7
In this episode of "Outside the Box," we delve into the EMS Education and Training world. Returning to our studio is the esteemed Jay Barrera, a passionate advocate for continuous learning, teaching, and mentoring. Jay shares his invaluable insights and embracing a "crawl, walk, run, sprint" approach. He highlights his ever-evolving teaching philosophy, dedicated to nurturing the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains of education. Furthermore, we explore the significance of personalized ...
Jul 20, 2023•47 min•Ep. 6
In this episode of "Outside the Box," we explore the world of prehospital stroke care. Learn about the latest advancements and best practices EMS providers employ to enhance stroke response. We share insights on early recognition, rapid assessments, the latest stroke scales, and seamless transitions to specialized stroke centers. Sources: https://tinyurl.com/kskepd63 Disclaimer: The Sugar Fire Department, including its officers, employees, and affiliates, shall not be held responsible or liable ...
Jul 05, 2023•35 min•Ep. 5
In this episode of "Outside the Box," we explore the incredible impact of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) within the Sugar Land Fire Department. This episode focuses on POCUS in cardiac assessments and "FAST" exams for traumatic injuries. Discover how POCUS enhances cardiac assessments, aids in rapid diagnosis, and guides critical interventions. Hear firsthand accounts from our skilled EMS providers and learn how POCUS revolutionizes trauma care. Don't miss this captivating episode where we pus...
Jun 20, 2023•21 min•Ep. 4
In this thought-provoking episode of "Outside the Box," we delve into crucial critical thinking skills in EMS. We sit down with an inspiring teacher who explains her transformative approach to fostering critical thinking skills in students. Discover how she guides learners from a foundation of basic recall to empowering them to analyze and contemplate topics in analytical and abstract ways. We also explore how these techniques can be applied to EMS education, enabling professionals to make well-...
Jun 06, 2023•35 min•Ep. 3
In this episode of “Outside the Box,” we dive into an essential topic in EMS: Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP). Join us as we explore the significant impact of PEEP on respiratory management in the prehospital setting. Our expert guest shares their extensive knowledge and practical insights on using PEEP to improve oxygenation and ventilation in patients experiencing respiratory distress. Discover the latest advancements and techniques in implementing PEEP effectively, including proper eq...
Jun 06, 2023•40 min•Ep. 2
In this episode, we delve into the crucial topic of prehospital care for congestive heart failure (CHF). Join us as we explore the intricacies of managing this common cardiac condition in the field of EMS. Our guest, Captain Michael Bell, shares his knowledge, experience, and practical insights on effectively assessing and treating CHF patients before they reach the hospital doors. Discover the latest advancements in CHF management, from innovative techniques to optimizing medication administrat...
Jun 05, 2023•45 min•Ep. 1
