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.

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 Precision Aviation Group.

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

Buckle up as we take you behind the scenes of some cutting-edge advancements in emergency medicine and critical care transport. In this episode, hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider sit down with Kevin Rixmann, clinical supervisor at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, to discuss a game-changing innovation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treatment with their mobile ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) program.

Together, they explore the evolution of eCPR and ECMO, the critical role of rapid response, and the collaborative efforts needed to identify candidates and educate community emergency services. Kevin shares key insights into the challenges of implementing this life-saving technology, from streamlining response times and improving training for emergency medical services (EMS) providers to the utilization of ECMO99 and air medical services. We all know that caring for out of hospital cardiac arrest patients presents many challenges for us in the helicopter EMS community, but be prepared to be impressed as Kevin discusses the crucial role air ambulances play in the survival of these patients.

If you're passionate about emergency medicine, cutting-edge technology, and the relentless pursuit of better patient outcomes, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Stay tuned as we dive into the future of pre-hospital cardiac care and the impact of ECMO on survival rates.

Also, as an added bonus … make sure you check out this podcast on our YouTube channel for extra pictures and videos of U of M’s Mobile ECMO Program and the process behind pre-hospital cannulation. Let’s get it started!

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

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

Buckle up as we take you behind the scenes of some cutting-edge advancements in emergency medicine and critical care transport. In this episode, hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider sit down with Kevin Rixmann, clinical supervisor at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, to discuss a game-changing innovation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treatment with their mobile ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) program.

Together, they explore the evolution of eCPR and ECMO, the critical role of rapid response, and the collaborative efforts needed to identify candidates and educate community emergency services. Kevin shares key insights into the challenges of implementing this life-saving technology, from streamlining response times and improving training for emergency medical services (EMS) providers to the utilization of ECMO99 and air medical services. We all know that caring for out of hospital cardiac arrest patients presents many challenges for us in the helicopter EMS community, but be prepared to be impressed as Kevin discusses the crucial role air ambulances play in the survival of these patients.

If you're passionate about emergency medicine, cutting-edge technology, and the relentless pursuit of better patient outcomes, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Stay tuned as we dive into the future of pre-hospital cardiac care and the impact of ECMO on survival rates.

Also, as an added bonus … make sure you check out this podcast on our YouTube channel for extra pictures and videos of U of M’s Mobile ECMO Program and the process behind pre-hospital cannulation. Let’s get it started!

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus and Metro Aviation.

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 take you inside the world of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) aviation safety, where we are joined by members of the Echo Safety Team to dive deep into the critical role safety plays in HEMS operations.

From exploring the Public Safety Aviation Bill of Rights to tackling emerging issues like laser strikes and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations, we’ll cover the latest trends shaping the industry.

We’ll also discuss the challenges of “green-on-green” situations, the importance of mentorship and experience, and the strategies that help enhance safety on every mission.

This episode emphasizes the significance of fostering a culture of safety—one that prioritizes open dialogue, risk assessment, and collaboration across all levels of the crew.

Tune in as we explore how a just culture, ongoing education, and mental health integration, are all essential in building a safer, more transparent public safety aviation community. It’s an insightful conversation you won’t want to miss!

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, 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.