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Today’s guest is a true EMS icon. With over four decades of experience across ground and air medicine, Merritt Riner has not only witnessed the evolution of prehospital care—he’s helped shape it. A seasoned paramedic, former flight medic, and currently the Clinical Operations Manager in Metropolitan Atlanta, Merritt has influenced everything from protocols to paramedic education.

You may recognize him from Trauma: Life in the ER, but his lasting legacy lies in the medics he’s mentored, the systems he’s improved, and the standards of care he continues to raise.

In this episode, Merritt shares stories from the field, leadership lessons learned through trial and error, and a deep dive into the clinical investigation process and CMQP (Clinical Management and Quality Practices). We unpack the real-world impact of data on clinical performance—digging into metrics like glucose monitoring, airway management, and trauma indicators—and examine how these insights are driving better care. Plus, we discuss emerging tools and treatments like TXA, ANCEF, and the potential for blood product deployment in the field.

Whether you’re a frontline provider, EMS educator, or administrator, this episode is packed with insights on accountability, data-driven improvement, and the future of EMS in Metro Atlanta and beyond.

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In-Service: The EMS Podcast is dedicated to the professional on the front lines of emergency care - in the field, the classroom and behind the scenes. Subscribe for new episodes featuring EMS leaders and innovators shaping the future of pre-hospital care.

Merchandise Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/in-service-ems-podcast/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=store_page_share&utm_campaign=in-service-ems-podcast&utm_content=default

If you have suggestions for future guests email: contact@in-serviceemspodcast.com

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In the debut episode of In-Service: The EMS Podcast, we sit down with Derek Hendren, a seasoned paramedic and leader whose roots stretch from the rural landscapes of Wyoming to the fast-paced demands of Metropolitan Atlanta. Now serving as the new Operations Manager, Derek brings a unique blend of frontier-tested resilience and forward-thinking leadership to our team. We discuss the transition from rural to urban EMS, the importance of operational consistency, and his vision for leading high-performance teams in complex environments. Tune in to hear how Derek’s past is shaping the future of our operations — and what it means for the medics on the ground

Support the show

In-Service: The EMS Podcast is dedicated to the professional on the front lines of emergency care - in the field, the classroom and behind the scenes. Subscribe for new episodes featuring EMS leaders and innovators shaping the future of pre-hospital care.

Merchandise Store: https://www.bonfire.com/store/in-service-ems-podcast/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=store_page_share&utm_campaign=in-service-ems-podcast&utm_content=default

If you have suggestions for future guests email: contact@in-serviceemspodcast.com