"Just let me say we are very honored in Germany to be partner of the NAEMT” Dr. Hans-Martin Gusnick (Germany)
"I'm really thankful for having the, I would say, the partnership, but also the friendship from the NAEMT people to make it better here" Dr. Rodrigo Vaz (Brazil)

In this special international edition of NAEMT Radio, host Rob Lawrence takes listeners on a global tour of EMS, speaking first with Dr. Hans-Martin Grusnick from Germany and then with Dr. Rodrigo Vaz from Brazil. Dr. Grusnick, an experienced paramedic-turned-intensivist, outlines the German EMS model, where ALS units and physician response cars work side-by-side, and explains how NAEMT courses such as PHTLS, AMLS, EPC, GEMS, and TCCC have enhanced clinical pathways and decision-making in the field. The conversation highlights the similarities in challenges faced across countries—rising call volumes, aging populations, and the constant need for system integration—and shows how NAEMT training continues to shape practice internationally.

From there, the program heads to South America, where Dr. Vaz, a trauma surgeon and president of the Brazilian Committee on Trauma, shares how EMS operates in Brazil’s vast and diverse geography—from urban centers to the Amazon, where boat ambulances and air evacuations are sometimes the only options. He discusses the predominance of public service delivery, the unique mix of Franco-German and Anglo-American models, and the growing role of NAEMT education, particularly PHTLS, with an emphasis on expanding TCCC, TECC, and First On The Scene training. Both guests underscore the power of NAEMT partnerships to unify global EMS professionals under common standards, improve patient outcomes, and foster international collaboration—proof that while EMS systems may differ, the mission to save lives is universal.

Resources

NAEMT Annual Meeting 2025 Schedule: https://naemt.org/events/annual-meeting/2025-schedule
Join the NAEMT: https://www.naemt.org/join/join