The Brad Gantt Debrief

Wesley Wells is a retired fire captain and EMT who I greatly respect. He worked over 33 years at Albany Fire Department where he retired at the rank of Captain. He also spent over 10 years at Lee County Public Safety where he served in many roles including 2 years as Public Safety Director. Wesley is a man who was committed to the job and doing the right thing for the right reasons. When I think of people who have a steadfast moral compass, Wesley is one of them. A very knowledgeable individual, firefighter and leader who will hold you to a high standard but none higher than he holds himself. Wesley is a second generation firefighter as he followed in his father’s footsteps who served before him first a firefighter and who also became an EMT later in his career, the same as Wesley. I enjoyed a great conversation with him and honored he could join me. Sadly, I overlooked that his camera did not start recording and the audio was the only thing I captured. Keep an eye out for part 2 as I will have him in the studio again to finish discussing more on his career and background.

Ricky Thompson is a person who defines the phrase “quiet professional”. Ricky has spent 20+ years as a firefighter and currently serves as a Battalion Chief at Albany Fire Department. He’s a person who most would consider to be a calm point of reference at a station or department. A very knowledgeable person who always seems to be in good control of himself and the situation he’s facing. No matter the obstacle placed in his way, on the job or off, he’s a person to accomplish it with a quiet resilience. Glad to have Ricky in the studio to talk about life, family, the job and faith in Jesus.

Steve Ebel is paramedic who has dedicated his life to serving the public he cares for and the students he has taught. Steve started his public safety career in 1985 as a police officer and quickly transitioned into EMS. Steve has nearly 40 years in EMS and over 30 years as an instructor. Steve is deeply loved and greatly respected for dedication to the job, dedication to teaching an unwavering commitment to speak up for what he believes is right.

Joined in the studio by Tripp Riddle. Tripp has been a paramedic for 22 years in Georgia. He worked on the ground for many years but also spent many years working as a flight paramedic. Currently he is the director of a local county based EMS service and has advance his department greatly by incorporating body camera for his crews and increasing the available units for the citizens he serves. Tripp brings a wealth of knowledge to the show and shared some of his experiences/advice he has picked up along the way.

Bryan Barnes is a 23+ year paramedic who has worked on the ground, in flight, as an instructor and currently as an Assistant Director for a local service. Bryan is highly regarded for his clinical skills, positive outlook, incredible teaching ability/passion, and most of all his patient advocacy. I’m very honored to have him come sit down with me to talk about his life, career, his outlook and management philosophies.

I’m honored enough to have Paramedic Pete Radano join me to share a little bit about himself and his career in EMS. Pete spent his entire career working for Dougherty County EMS here in Georgia and is a person who truly dedicated his life to EMS. Pete is a person who is beyond well respected not just for his service in EMS, but for the person as a whole he is even when he’s not working on the truck. Pete just retired from working EMS after a career spanning 3 decades and stopped by the studio to share some wisdom and some stories from his life. Have a listen and take away something we can all learn from—whether you’re in EMS or not.

Today I sit down with long time friend, Mr. Larry Morrell. He's been an EMT for 13 years and served this community diligently. It would be hard to find somebody with a bigger heart than him and anybody more loyal. Larry is born and raised here in south Georgia and wears many hats. Besides being an EMT-A, Larry is an amateur meteorologist who you can catch on live streams out storm chasing and giving weather updates. Additionally, Larry has a passion for reptiles and one might consider an amateur herpetologist that commonly gets called to help remove venomous snakes. Enjoy the show as we learn a little bit about Larry and reminisce!

Quick introduction: My name is Brad Gantt and I’ve been working in public safety for 20yrs between fire and EMS. Currently I work full time as flight paramedic and have so for the past few years. There’s alot of people I’ve met along the way that I think have an interesting story to tell and one that needs to be heard. Hope you get something out of the conversations I have with the people that follow.