Borders shouldn’t slow lifesaving care, and they don’t have to! In this episode, we sit down with Donnie Woodyard Jr., Executive Director of the Interstate Commission for EMS Personnel Practice, to unpack how the EMS Compact turns a single EMS license into a recognized privilege to practice across member states. From wildfires and hurricanes to staffing shortages and training rotations, we explore how this always-on compact accelerates response without sacrificing public protection.
We walk through the legal backbone of state compacts, why identical legislation across states matters, and how the Commission operates as a government regulatory body: open meetings, one‑state‑one‑vote governance, and deliberate rule-making designed to build consensus. Donnie shares how administrative rules focus on interstate practice, why the Commission publishes position papers, and what it takes to balance clinician mobility with accountability. If you’ve ever wondered who sets the standards, how decisions get made, or where your voice fits in, this conversation brings the process into the daylight.
For clinicians and administrators, the practical guidance is clear: use your National EMS ID to verify your privilege at EMSCompact.gov, select your agency in a member state, and follow the local scope and protocols where you’re working. We break down real‑world scenarios that make scope of practice intuitive, highlight education resources and connection opportunities, and hear about the technology upgrades in the coordinated database - from deduplicated workforce counts, to employer alerts that prevent costly billing reversions. We also discuss EMS Compact expansion: why some states haven’t joined yet and how stakeholders can move legislation with a simple, focused ask.
If this conversation helps you see how smarter regulation can speed care and open careers, share it with your team, subscribe for future episodes, and leave a review to help others find the show! Stay inspired with Know Your Regulator.

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