Ray Barishansky

Exit Light, Enter Dispatch: Chasing Sleep and Fighting Fatigue in EMS Fatigue in EMS poses risks to patient safety and provider health, with many providers reporting severe fatigue symptoms.

It's always impressive when authors come up with a title that is as eye-catching as the actual article content. #EMS #fatigue www.jems.com/mental-healt...

Have we already forgotten the lessons of COVID-19? We asked an expert in anticipating crises Bureaucracy, politics and fraying trust in institutions could mean that warnings about the next health crisis fall on deaf ears, says a leading expert.

The short answer is yes, we collectively have forgotten the hard-learned lessons of COVID. #publichealth #COVID www.gavi.org/vaccineswork...

Doctors bear the burden as ‘medical freedom’ fuels worst US measles outbreak in 30 years About a dozen times each day, medical staff at Parkside Pediatrics in Spartanburg, South Carolina, head to the clinic’s parking lot, reaching inside cars and minivans to check children and their paren...

This is what a vaccine-preventable disease looks like when vaccination rates drop — the U.S. is facing its largest measles outbreak in decades, and clinics are overwhelmed #publichealth #vaccineswork www.reuters.com/business/hea...

Exclusive: Key US infectious-diseases centre to drop pandemic preparation Staff members have been instructed to scrub this topic and ‘biodefense’ from the agency’s website.

This is just unacceptable. If we stop naming and prioritizing preparedness, what comes next — denial? neglect? dismantling? #publichealth #preparedness www.nature.com/articles/d41...

EMS at the Crossroads: How MS Can Lead a Rural Healthcare Revolution The One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes $100 million for Mississippi's EMS transformation.

Is it time to take the word "emergency" out of emergency medical services? This article seems to advocate for that change and I don't know that I disagree. #EMS www.jems.com/mobile-integ...

EMS at 60: The Past, Present, and Future of Our Profession In 2026, EMS in the United States marks its 60th anniversary, evolving from untrained services to evidence-based systems since the 1966 Highway Safety Act.

"The last 60 years have taken us from funeral homes and MAST pants to capnography, ultrasound, and whole blood. The next 60 will do the same, steady gains, mixed with stubborn struggles"

Amazingly solid read about the past, present and future of EMS. #EMS #ambulance www.jems.com/patient-care...

Bridging the Gap Between Administration and Operations in EMS Leadership Chief Clifford Mungavin emphasizes the need for EMS leaders to bridge administrative and operational gaps to prioritize patient care.

EMS leadership is about bridging the gap between administration and operations. Budgets and policies matter but so does understanding the reality of the street. The best leaders connect the why behind decisions to the work crews do every day. #EMS #leadership www.jems.com/ems-manageme...

Is the cost of readiness too steep? EMS services seek balance amid rising costs and little relief If ambulance services can’t cover their costs, they can’t cover the emergency needs of Butler County — and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to be ready for an emergency, according to the leaders o...

EMS system leaders, as well as elected officials, need to understand the "cost of readiness" and how that impacts their budgets and operations. #EMS #funding www.butlereagle.com/20260206/is-...

They ushered their states through covid. Now they want to lead them. Why doctors who led the pandemic response in their states are running for office.

This article shows how pandemic-era public health leadership is becoming political leadership and what that means for trust, governance, and experience on the campaign trail. These races will be interesting to watch. #publichealth #politics www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

Illinois joins World Health Organization network, after Trump administration withdraws from group Joining the World Health Organization’s Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network is the state’s latest move into an area that was previously the domain of the federal government, before the…

I applaud the move but this is a patchwork approach to public health in the US and simply not optimal. Remember - diseases don't recognize borders. #publichealth www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/03/i...

States that once led in child vaccination fall as they expand exemptions • Stateline States that were leaders in childhood vaccination before the pandemic are among those losing ground as exemptions and unfounded skepticism take hold, encouraged by the Trump administration’s stance un...

"At least 33 states were below herd immunity in the 2024-25 school year, compared with 28 states before the pandemic in 2018-2019" #measles #publichealth stateline.org/2026/02/02/s...

The EMS Profession Is Stalled Between Expectation and Reality We’ve stripped the “emergency” out of EMS. Now it’s just medical services. It’s time to put the “E” back where it belongs.

Is the EMS profession stalled between expectation and reality? Great question! #EMS www.jems.com/ems-manageme...

California joins WHO public health network following US exit, marking a first for any state California joined WHO's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, countering federal withdrawal from the organization.

Although I am a fan of this move, it just makes me wonder about the further fragmentation of public health efforts in the United States and the "every state for itself" potential #publichealth www.abc10.com/article/news...

Is it time to turn off the sirens? Podcast explores lights & siren use and unintended risks An episode of Malcolm Gladwell's podcast “Revisionist History" dives into the data — and the noise — behind why EMS sirens may no longer be worth the risk

Is it time to turn off the sirens? A great question for modern day EMS systems and leaders to answer. #EMS #ambulance www.ems1.com/paramedic-su...

Will you be attending the event built specifically for EMS leaders, supervisors, and emerging leaders who want practical insight, meaningful connection, and leadership tools they can take back to their organization? I hope to see you! #EMS #leadership nemsma.org/page/2026NEMSM…

Kentucky paramedic's death leads to landmark law protecting EMS families 9 years later A Kentucky paramedic's tragic death nine years ago continues to save lives and protect EMS families across the state.

I am beyond happy to see this law has passed but wondering why it took so long. #EMS #paramedic www.lex18.com/news/coverin...

if you think that this will not be impacting you and your family, think again. #publichealth

When doing the right thing breaks the rules Paramedic Eddie Barnes saved a life with skills he wasn't authorized to use — prompting an investigation that reveals the moral gray zone of modern EMS

Very interesting piece about how EMS providers may, at times, have to operate in an area that the author calls "the moral gray zone of Modern EMS". #EMS www.ems1.com/ems-protocol...

Ky. EMS team under fire for treating man with antivenom In May, we brought you the story of James Harrison, the director of the Kentucky Reptile Zoo. He was bitten by a highly venomous Jameson’s Mamba while working.

What do you think? Should these EMS providers be in danger of losing their licenses for these life-saving actions? #EMS www.wkyt.com/2025/09/24/k...

Stuck in Tradition: How Our Past Continues to Shape EMS Today EMTs and paramedics remain certified rather than licensed due to historical regulations focused on transport safety.

Is EMS too "stuck in tradition"? Great piece from
on how our field still carries relics from its transportation-era roots—even as our role has expanded many times over. #EMS www.jems.com/ems-operatio...

Can situational awareness be taught? Scene safety and awareness are critical to prehospital patient care

Can you teach situational awareness? Interesting piece from EMS1.com about this important topic #EMS www.ems1.com/safety/can-s...

Portland-area ambulance responses got faster, but quality of medical care might be declining One year after AMR was cleared to change how it staffs its ambulances, signs show it may have had consequences for patient care.

And once again, ambulance response times are shown to not be as important as once thought. #EMS #Ambulance www.oregonlive.com/politics/202...

Florida's anti-vaccine push leads dangerous shift for US public health Florida may soon become the first state to end all vaccine mandates, including those for schoolchildren, setting the stage for deadly infections to make a comeback

Florida’s anti-vaccine push isn’t just a local issue. The state’s policy creates ripple effects that endanger neighboring states, the entire U.S., and potentially global public health. Simply put, infectious diseases do not respect borders. #PublicHealth www.newscientist.com/article/2495...

I appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts about EMS as an essential service with @ukrobl.bsky.social at the 2024 EMS World Expo! #EMS

Great to have the opportunity to speak with you all about such an important topic. #EMS

In the fallout from Trump's health funding cuts, states face tough budget decisions The Trump administration has pushed a significant amount of health costs to states, whose budgets may already be strained by declining state tax revenues, a slowdown in pandemic spending, and economic...

I think the saddest thing about reading this is that it is all happening in the wake of a world-altering pandemic. #publichealth www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-h...

The next pandemic could rattle civilization — and a new book warns we’re not ready for it Michael Osterholm, University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy director, was driving to the airport the morning of Dec. 30, 2019, when his cellphone rang. A colleague …

Yeh, we are totally not ready for the next pandemic but, at this point, who is really surprised by that statement. #publichealth #pandemic nypost.com/2025/09/07/s...

Why EMS Director Says He Drove Wrong Way On H-1 Freeway Nobody got hurt, but one council member said she's concerned the director put public safety at risk.

Honolulu’s EMS director went the wrong way on a highway to reach a patient—sparking debate. Without second-guessing, this situation begs the question: how do we weigh urgent response, safety, and community perception when making these split-second decisions? #EMS www.civilbeat.org/2025/09/hono...

Florida Moves to End Vaccine Mandates for Schoolchildren

Florida says vaccine mandates are over. Measles, mumps, polio… your VIP passes to the Sunshine State are ready. #publichealth #vaccineswork www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/u...

CDC’s Leadership Is in Chaos. Experts React to Crumbling U.S. Public Health Systems Public health experts warn that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s leadership crisis—sparked by the White House’s efforts to oust CDC director Susan Monarez—could jeopardize national bio...

The CDC is the world’s foremost public health agency. Its leadership collapse isn’t just D.C. drama—it’s a direct threat to our preparedness. You don’t sideline the fire department in the middle of fire season. #publichealth www.scientificamerican.com/article/cdc-...