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

In this episode, we’re diving into the mindset of the resuscitationist, and what it takes to perform under pressure when every second counts.

This week we are joined by Dr. Garrett Cavaliere as we explore how preparation, teamwork, and self-awareness shape outcomes in high-stress environments like flight medicine.

We’ll talk about managing stress responses, the impact of fatigue, the power of mental rehearsal, and the value of debriefing after critical incidents. If you're in the business of saving lives under pressure, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

Throughout this episode, Dr. Cavaliere references various studies and graphs, so be sure to head over to our YouTube channel to get the full effect of this conversation.

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

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

In this special episode, we are joined by Ashley Chitty, ECHO’s marketing director and one of the driving forces behind this year’s much-anticipated ECHO Conference in Louisville!

We’re diving deep into what makes this conference more than just another gathering—how it’s evolved, what keeps the energy alive, and why the ECHO family is unlike anything else in public safety aviation. From world-class education and powerful vendor partnerships to fresh initiatives and a true sense of community, this conversation is your insider look at everything coming your way in Louisville.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be part of something bigger—something that connects, supports, and inspires flight crews across the country—this episode will light that fire. Registration is open, and trust us, you’ll want to be there.

Let’s get into it.

Thank you to our sponsors: Airbus, Night Flight Concepts and Precision Aviation Group.

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

In this episode, we dive into the world of simulation training in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) with special guest Jonathan Corolla.

From high-fidelity mannequins to low-cost, high-impact solutions, we explore how simulation is evolving and why it’s critical for preparing crews to perform under pressure.

Jonathan brings a wealth of experience in crafting realistic scenarios that connect with clinicians and improve outcomes in the field.

We’ll talk about the challenges of building effective training programs, the power of creative problem-solving, and why advocacy and buy-in are key to making it all work. Whether you’re in the air or on the ground, this conversation is all about training smarter, pushing boundaries, and staying mission-ready.

Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Night Flight Concepts and Precision Aviation Group.

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

In this episode, we dive into the world of simulation training in helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) with special guest Jonathan Corolla.

From high-fidelity mannequins to low-cost, high-impact solutions, we explore how simulation is evolving and why it’s critical for preparing crews to perform under pressure.

Jonathan brings a wealth of experience in crafting realistic scenarios that connect with clinicians and improve outcomes in the field.

We’ll talk about the challenges of building effective training programs, the power of creative problem-solving, and why advocacy and buy-in are key to making it all work. Whether you’re in the air or on the ground, this conversation is all about training smarter, pushing boundaries, and staying mission-ready.

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

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, hosts Blake and Mike sit down with guests Michelle Kline and Vince Dravecky for a much-needed conversation on wellness in the EMS profession. Together, they dive into the often-overlooked topic of provider health, introducing the FIT for Flight Triad—a holistic approach to fitness that balances nutrition, physical conditioning, and mental health.

The episode calls for a cultural shift in EMS: one that moves beyond burnout and begins prioritizing personal well-being as a professional standard. With honest reflections and practical tips, Michelle and Vince share their own wellness journeys, emphasizing the power of small, consistent changes, realistic goal-setting, and building a supportive community.

From meal prep in a chaotic EMS schedule to managing stress and staying physically active as the years go by, the conversation is packed with relatable challenges and actionable strategies. The crew breaks down misconceptions, like the pressure for perfection in nutrition, and explores tools like the 80-20 rule and leveraging available resources like nutritionists and peer support.

Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how intentional lifestyle choices—backed by accountability, organizational support, and community encouragement—can lead to healthier, more resilient clinicians. Because at the end of the day, being Fit for Flight means being ready for anything—mentally, physically, and emotionally.

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

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, hosts Blake and Mike sit down with guests Michelle Kline and Vince Dravecky for a much-needed conversation on wellness in the EMS profession. Together, they dive into the often-overlooked topic of provider health, introducing the FIT for Flight Triad—a holistic approach to fitness that balances nutrition, physical conditioning, and mental health.

The episode calls for a cultural shift in EMS: one that moves beyond burnout and begins prioritizing personal well-being as a professional standard. With honest reflections and practical tips, Michelle and Vince share their own wellness journeys, emphasizing the power of small, consistent changes, realistic goal-setting, and building a supportive community.

From meal prep in a chaotic EMS schedule to managing stress and staying physically active as the years go by, the conversation is packed with relatable challenges and actionable strategies. The crew breaks down misconceptions, like the pressure for perfection in nutrition, and explores tools like the 80-20 rule and leveraging available resources like nutritionists and peer support.

Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how intentional lifestyle choices—backed by accountability, organizational support, and community encouragement—can lead to healthier, more resilient clinicians. Because at the end of the day, being Fit for Flight means being ready for anything—mentally, physically, and emotionally.

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

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

In this episode, hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider sit down with Jody Gregory, ECHO president, and Joe Zarek, ECHO vice-president, to discuss the many intricacies of this community-driven organization dedicated to supporting all aspects of public safety aviation.

Together, they dive deep into ECHO’s origin story, the values that drive its mission, and the programs making a real difference—from mental health and peer support to safety initiatives, networking, and education. You’ll hear about the Future Flight Crew program, the integration of the Education Committee, and what’s on the horizon for ECHO, including upcoming conferences, and new directions in law enforcement and military aviation.

So, whether you're a seasoned ECHO member, new to the organization, or just thinking about joining, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and dedication, and is sure to give you an insider's perspective into an organization that's lifting each other up—literally and figuratively.

There’s an AIRMET for turbulence, because the ECHO is definitely getting louder! So, buckle up and enjoy this engaging conversation with some of the ECHO leadership team.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Spectrum Aeromed and Technisonic.

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

Welcome back to another episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, where we dive into the people, partnerships, and behind the scenes work that keep our helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations running.

Today, we're talking about a part of the mission that doesn't always get the spotlight, but absolutely deserves it. In this episode, titled “Maintaining the Mission,” we are joined by Faith Ortega, an ANP mechanic with vast experience across general aviation and transitioning now into EMS aviation.

Faith brings a unique perspective on what it takes to keep aircraft safe, mission ready, and in the air, especially in high pressure environments where time matters to our patients. We'll get into everything from preventative maintenance and emergency repairs to the communication dynamics between mechanics, pilots, and med crews. Faith also shares what it's like to teach mechanics transitioning from the military to civilian aviation, also mentoring this next generation of maintainers and how evolving technology is shaping the future of this field.

Whether you're in the air, on the ground, or somewhere in between, this episode is for anyone who knows that every mission starts with an aircraft that is well maintained. So, let's dive in.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus and Metro Aviation.