SMFR EMS Podcast
Episode Archive
Episode Archive
23 episodes of SMFR EMS Podcast since the first episode, which aired on August 12th, 2024.
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Episode 23: Epi - Volume vs Tone
December 1st, 2025 | 27 mins 52 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
This episode features Medical Director Dr. Jonathan Apfelbaum and EMS Lieutenant Dusty King as they unpack when epi helps, when it adds nothing, and when it can actually work against your patient. Using real cases, they revisit alpha and beta receptor effects, walk through why there is no evidence-based role for epi in classic traumatic arrest, and contrast that with scenarios like neurogenic shock, tamponade, tension pneumothorax, and peri-RSI hypotension where carefully titrated push-dose epi can be appropriate.
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Episode 22: Geriatrics Unfiltered
November 3rd, 2025 | 24 mins 42 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
This episode takes a closer look at geriatric care, why “minor” complaints aren’t always minor, and how small misses can become big problems.
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Episode 21: STEMI Alerts: Getting the Call Right
October 1st, 2025 | 31 mins 12 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
This episode takes a closer look at STEMI alerts—when they apply, when they don’t, and why accuracy matters. Together with Dr. Jonathan Apfelbaum and EMS Lieutenant Dusty King, reviews the four key criteria, discusses common pitfalls and mimics, and walks through real-world cases where judgment calls made all the difference.
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Episode 20: Episode 20: Overheated: EMS Lessons in Heat Stroke
September 1st, 2025 | 23 mins 29 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
This episode dives into a real-world case of a patient found altered and seizing at Cherry Creek State Park during a string of heat-related calls.
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Episode 19: Episode 19: ECGs Unlocked: Crack the Code, Part 2
August 1st, 2025 | 26 mins 23 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
Join EMS Lieutenant Dusty King, EMS Lieutenant Scott Hipwell and Medical Director Dr. Jonathan Apfelbaum for part two of the "ECGs Unlocked: Crack the Code" series. In this episode, they apply their systematic approach to interpreting complex and challenging 12-lead ECGs
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Episode 18: Episode 18: ECGs Unlocked: Crack the Code, Part 1
August 1st, 2025 | 20 mins 47 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
In this episode, EMS Lieutenant Dusty King hosts EMS Lieutenant Scott Hipwell and Medical Director Dr. Jonathan Apfelbaum for a deep dive into systematically interpreting 12-lead ECGs.
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Episode 17: Episode 17: The Art of EMS Transport Decisions, Part 2
July 31st, 2025 | 21 mins 22 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
Join host Dusty King, EMS Lieutenant, and Medical Director Jonathan Apfelbaum as they tackle one of the most important decisions in prehospital care: choosing the right destination for your patient.
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Episode 16: Episode 16: The Art of EMS Transport Decisions, Part 1
July 31st, 2025 | 31 mins 40 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
In this episode of the SMFR EMS podcast, EMS Lieutenant Dusty King, along with Paramedic Bob Rafferty and Medical Director Jonathan Apfelbaum, break down the essentials of safe patient transport in the field.
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Episode 15: Episode 15: Refusals Done Right: Legal, Ethical, and Practical Tips, Part 2
June 12th, 2025 | 32 mins 9 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
In this episode of the SMFR EMS podcast, EMS Lieutenant Dusty King, along with Medical Director Jonathan Apfelbaum and Legal Counsel Allison Ulmer, explores key considerations when handling refusals, including when a patient has the capacity to refuse care and how to navigate the legal and ethical implications.
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Episode 14: Episode 14: Refusals Done Right: Legal, Ethical, and Practical Tips, Part 1
June 12th, 2025 | 29 mins 30 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
In this episode of the SMFR EMS podcast, EMS Lieutenant Dusty King, along with Paramedic Austin Burrell and Medical Director Jonathan Apfelbaum, explores the evolving legal and ethical framework around patient refusals.
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Episode 13: Episode 13: Sound Decisions: Ultrasound’s Role in EMS, Part 2
April 30th, 2025 | 22 mins 53 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
Welcome back to Sound Decisions: Ultrasound's Role in EMS for Part 2 of our deep dive into ultrasound's transformative impact on pre-hospital care.
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Episode 12: Episode 12: Sound Decisions: Ultrasound’s Role in EMS, Part 1
April 30th, 2025 | 19 mins 5 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
This episode will review real-life incidents where ultrasound changed the course of treatment, from routine protocol to advanced applications in critical care.
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Episode 11: Episode 11: Chain of Survival, Part 2
April 13th, 2025 | 13 mins 25 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
In this episode of the EMS podcast, EMS Lieutenant Dusty King and Medical Director Apfelbaum break down a compelling pediatric cardiac arrest case from mid‑January.
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Episode 10: Episode 10: Chain of Survival, Part 1
April 13th, 2025 | 24 mins 35 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
In this dynamic EMS podcast episode, EMS Lieutenant Dusty King, Paramedic Rafferty, and Medical Director Apfelbaum break down a recent, high-stakes cardiac arrest case involving a 29‑year‑old male who collapsed on a basketball court.
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Episode 9: Episode 9: 5x5 - Shortness of Breath
April 13th, 2025 | 20 mins 17 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
In this episode, we use the B.R.E.A.TH. approach to break down five critical differentials: Bronchoconstriction (COPD/Asthma), Respiratory Infection (Pneumonia), Edema (Congestive Heart Failure), Acidosis (Diabetic Ketoacidosis), and THromboembolism (Pulmonary Embolism/Myocardial Infarction).
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Episode 8: Episode 8: 5x5 - Trauma
April 13th, 2025 | 21 mins 54 secs
emergency medical services, ems, fire service, smfr ems, smfr ems podcast, south metro, south metro fire, south metro fire rescue
In this episode, we use the B.L.E.E.D. approach to break down five critical trauma differentials: Bleeding (Hemorrhagic Shock), Low Oxygen Levels (Hypoxia), Elevated Intrathoracic Pressure (Tension Pneumothorax/Pericardial Tamponade), Elevated Intracranial Pressure (Closed Head Injury), and Dysfunction of Coagulation (DIC/Coagulopathy).