EMS PPE in Action: Dispatch to Decontamination

On this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan dives deep into the world of personal protective equipment (PPE) for EMS professionals. Jill is joined by Chad Bowman, Nurse Manager for the Johns Hopkins Lifeline Critical Care Transport Team, and Elizabeth "Liz" Lenz, Captain with Denver Health Paramedic Division. Together, they tackle the unique challenges EMS teams face in keeping themselves safe from infectious diseases while working in unpredictable environments. From recognizing when PPE is needed on a call and picking the right ensemble, to training, burnout, and the impact of environmental conditions—Jill, Chad, and Liz share real-world stories and valuable insights. They explore topics like adapting PPE to unpredictable situations, fostering a culture of safety and preparedness, and what operationally sound means for EMS agencies of all sizes. Plus, they offer practical advice for building PPE proficiency and keeping frontline workers protected. You’ll hear about the importance of communication, the role of ongoing training (even on a budget), and why no two EMS agencies are the same when it comes to getting PPE right. Whether you’re in EMS, hospital-based care, or just passionate about healthcare worker safety, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and relatable stories. Key topics include: EMS-specific PPE challenges & solutions When and how PPE decisions are made in the field Adapting to tough environments: weather, resources, and teamwork Overcoming PPE fatigue and burnout post-pandemic Strategies for effective training and resource utilization Building a system-wide culture of safety—from the 911 call to hospital handoff Tune in for an engaging, insightful conversation that will leave you thinking differently about what it means to stay safe on the frontlines. Host Jill Morgan, RN Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, GA Jill Morgan is a registered nurse and a subject matter expert in personal protective equipment (PPE) for NETEC. For 35 years, Jill has been an emergency department and critical care nurse, and now splits her time between education for NETEC and clinical research, most of it centering around infection prevention and personal protective equipment. She is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), ASTM International, and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Guests Chad Bowman MSN, RN, CFRN, NR-P Chad has dedicated 20 years to emergency services, bringing a wealth of experience in emergency medical services (EMS), critical care, trauma, resuscitation, and transport nursing. He also has nine years of involvement in preparedness and response activities for biocontainment care and the transport of patients with suspected or confirmed high-consequence infectious diseases (HCID). Currently, Chad serves as the Nurse Manager for the Johns Hopkins Lifeline Critical Care Transport Team and the Director of Transport Operations at the Johns Hopkins Special Pathogen Center. He oversees the daily clinical operations of the Lifeline team and manages HCID transport operations. Additionally, Chad contributes his expertise as a Subject Matter Expert on the NETEC EMS Biosafety Workgroup. Elizabeth (Liz) Lenz, BS, NREMT-P I am an experienced EMS leader and paramedic with over a decade of service at the Denver Health Paramedic Division, currently serving as Captain. I specialize in emergency response operations, team leadership, high-risk infectious disease transport, and large-scale special event medical planning. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently taken on roles requiring critical decision-making, personnel management, and strategic coordination within complex healthcare systems. With dual degrees in Kinesiology and Psychology and a Certificate in Paramedicine, I bring a strong foundation in both the science and human dynamics of emergency care. I'm a Nationally Registered Paramedic and certified by the State of Colorado and American Heart Association in ACLS, PALS, and BLS. In addition to EMS, I have a background in executive support, event planning, and nonprofit development—having served the Colorado Department of Education and the CU Foundation in roles focused on logistics, stakeholder engagement, and operations management. My strengths include effective communication, adaptability, and a passion for continuous improvement. Whether managing high-pressure 911 calls or coordinating public health responses, I remain driven by a deep commitment to patient care and public service. Resources EMS Infectious Disease Playbook:https://asprtracie.hhs.gov/technical-resources/resource/4442/ems-infectious-disease-playbook NETEC Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Featured Resources:https://netec.org/education-training/emergency-medical-services-ems-featured-resources/ Need assistance? Ask NETEC:https://netec.org/consulting-services/ask-our-experts/ NETEC Resource Library:https://repository.netecweb.org Transmission Interrupted:https://netec.org/podcast/ About NETEC A Partnership for Preparedness The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen preparedness and response across health systems in the U.S. with the goals of driving best practices, closing knowledge gaps, and developing innovative resources. Our vision is a sustainable infrastructure and culture of readiness for managing suspected and confirmed special pathogen incidents across the United States public health and health care delivery systems. For more information visit NETEC on the web at www.netec.org. NETEC Consultation Services Assess and Advance Your Readiness for Special Pathogens with Free, Expert Consulting. NETEC offers free virtual and onsite readiness consulting to help health care facilities and EMS agencies prepare for special pathogen events. Our targeted support services are delivered by experts selected and assigned to each inquiry based on the unique needs of your organization. Have a question? Ask a NETEC expert. For more information visit: netec.org/consulting-services.