Welcome to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, Blake and Mike sit down with pilots Gene Reynolds and Matt Johnson for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what really makes air ambulance operations run smoothly. It’s all about communication, trust, and teamwork — both in the cockpit and in the back of the aircraft.

They talk through everything from pre-flight briefings and sterile cockpit rules to the ‘Fit for Shift’ mindset that keeps everyone ready for whatever the mission throws at them. Gene and Matt share their take on how training isn’t just a checkbox — it’s something we all need to fully engage in so we’re sharp when it counts.

The crew also dives into the balancing act of managing equipment and weight on the aircraft. Turns out, every pound matters, and it takes solid communication between med crews and pilots to make sure we’re carrying what we need — and leaving behind what we don’t.

Weather challenges, IFR operations, and the pressures pilots face all get some airtime, too. The conversation touches on the cultural shift happening in aviation: focusing on patient care and crew safety over operational pressures. Whether you’re flying, treating, or supporting from the ground, this one’s packed with takeaways on how we can all work better together.

Thank you to our sponsors Precision Aviation Group, Spectrum Aeromed and Vertical Valor magazine.

Welcome to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, Blake and Mike sit down with pilots Gene Reynolds and Matt Johnson for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what really makes air ambulance operations run smoothly. It’s all about communication, trust, and teamwork — both in the cockpit and in the back of the aircraft.

They talk through everything from pre-flight briefings and sterile cockpit rules to the ‘Fit for Shift’ mindset that keeps everyone ready for whatever the mission throws at them. Gene and Matt share their take on how training isn’t just a checkbox — it’s something we all need to fully engage in so we’re sharp when it counts.

The crew also dives into the balancing act of managing equipment and weight on the aircraft. Turns out, every pound matters, and it takes solid communication between med crews and pilots to make sure we’re carrying what we need — and leaving behind what we don’t.

Weather challenges, IFR operations, and the pressures pilots face all get some airtime, too. The conversation touches on the cultural shift happening in aviation: focusing on patient care and crew safety over operational pressures. Whether you’re flying, treating, or supporting from the ground, this one’s packed with takeaways on how we can all work better together.

Thank you to our sponsors Axnes, Metro Aviation and Spectrum Aeromed.

Welcome to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, recorded live from the annual Public Safety Aviation Conference in Richmond, Virginia, Blake Shrider and Mike Fidale sit down with a special guest from across the Atlantic: Paula Burke, a paramedic with Ireland’s National Ambulance Service.

Paula shares her unique journey from nursing in Galway to working in Cork City — “the real capital,” as she jokes — and eventually joining Ireland’s National Ambulance Service, where she’s been for the last five years. We dive into how pre-hospital medicine in Ireland differs from the U.S., from limited helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) resources—only two helicopters nationwide— to ground transports for pediatric patients that can be three-hour trips.

Paula walks us through the Irish paramedic education pathway, which is a hybrid of classroom and field training, fully paid for, and culminates in a degree after three years. She also gives us insight into the advanced paramedic role and how Ireland is working toward community-based care and alternative pre-hospital pathways to help reduce unnecessary hospital transports.

We also talk mental health and peer support — something both Ireland and the U.S. EMS communities continue to build on. Paula shares how their Employee Assistance Program and regional peer support systems help providers manage the tough calls, while we compare how Echo’s FAST team is working to normalize mental health conversations here at home.

This conversation was full of laughs, insight, and reminders that while our systems may look different, the mission and challenges are much the same. Paula’s passion for pre-hospital medicine is clear, and she’s already planning on making the trip back next year.

Thanks for listening — and if you ever wondered what EMS looks like on the other side of the world, this one’s for you.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Metro Aviation and Precision Aviation Group.