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.

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.