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 Blake Shrider and Mike Fadale sit down with Steve Soliz from Bell.

Steve takes us through his unique journey—from serving as a medic to becoming a nurse, and now, playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of public safety aviation. We dive into the importance of collaboration within the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) industry, the evolving technology that’s driving innovation, and the challenges our crews face on the front lines.

We'll also discuss everything from the complexities of maintaining clinical excellence in a high-stakes environment, to managing the mental health pressures that come with this demanding work.

Plus, we take a look at the global landscape of air medical services, and how data-driven decisions and strategic planning are critical to advancing patient care and safety.

So, whether you’re a seasoned HEMS professional or just starting your career in public safety aviation, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to our sponsors Bell, 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 two-part episode join hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider for an in depth interview with Rhett Draehn.

Rhett is paramedic, and the current safety director at CareFlite in Texas. His story is nothing short of extraordinary. Back in 2012, Rhett and his crew were involved in a devastating helicopter crash while responding to pick up a patient from a scene call.

Thankfully, all crew members survived, and Rhett is here today to walk us through the moments leading up to the crash, the immediate aftermath, and his long road to recovery – both physically and mentally

But this isn’t just a story of survival. It’s about resilience, the evolution of aviation safety, and the critical role of Crew Resource Management (CRM) in preventing future incidents. Rhett’s insights serve as a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility we all have in ensuring safety in the skies.

So buckle in—this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to our sponsors Airbus, Precision Aviation Group, and Vertical Valor Magazine.

As brief disclaimer to our audience: Listener discretion is advised, as this episode includes discussions of a real-life helicopter crash and its aftermath. We recognize this may be a sensitive topic, and these discussions and personal experiences are shared only to foster learning and awareness surrounding aviation safety in the HEMS industry.

If you or a fellow flight crew member is struggling, know you are not alone. ECHO Flight-crew Assistance & Support Team (FAST) or other peer support groups as well as your local Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/counselling services are here to help.

Welcome to the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.

In this two-part episode join hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider for an in depth interview with Rhett Draehn.

Rhett is paramedic, and the current safety director at CareFlite in Texas. His story is nothing short of extraordinary. Back in 2012, Rhett and his crew were involved in a devastating helicopter crash while responding to pick up a patient from a scene call.

Thankfully, all crew members survived, and Rhett is here today to walk us through the moments leading up to the crash, the immediate aftermath, and his long road to recovery – both physically and mentally

But this isn’t just a story of survival. It’s about resilience, the evolution of aviation safety, and the critical role of Crew Resource Management (CRM) in preventing future incidents. Rhett’s insights serve as a powerful reminder of the shared responsibility we all have in ensuring safety in the skies.

So buckle in—this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Precision Aviation Group, and Spectrum Aeromed.

As brief disclaimer to our audience: Listener discretion is advised, as this episode includes discussions of a real-life helicopter crash and its aftermath. We recognize this may be a sensitive topic, and these discussions and personal experiences are shared only to foster learning and awareness surrounding aviation safety in the HEMS industry.

If you or a fellow flight crew member is struggling, know you are not alone. ECHO Flight-crew Assistance & Support Team (FAST) or other peer support groups as well as your local Employee Assistance Program (EAP)/counselling services are here to help.

Welcome to another episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by Echo and proudly brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine.

Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s shaping the future of the air medical industry—the Future Flight Crew (FFC) Program. This initiative has become a game-changer for aspiring flight clinicians, and we have an incredible lineup of guests ready to share their experiences and insights on how this program is making an impact.

We’ll start by exploring the origins and evolution of FFC, detailing how it has grown into a pivotal mentorship and educational platform for those looking to enter the world of flight medicine. Past students and instructors will join us to offer firsthand accounts of how this program has influenced their careers, bridging the gap between ground EMS and the high-acuity, high-risk environment of air medical transport.

Beyond just clinical skills, FFC emphasizes safety, teamwork, and the culture that defines successful flight teams. We’ll discuss the challenges of delivering high-quality, remote-based education, while ensuring participants are well-prepared for the demanding world of critical care transport.

And that’s not all—we’re excited to introduce the Future Flight Leaders Program, an expansion of the initiative designed to develop leadership and professional growth in the air medical field. This new branch will focus on fostering the next generation of industry leaders, ensuring that the values of mentorship, education, and excellence continue to thrive.

There’s so much to cover in this episode, and we can’t wait to share it with you. Stay tuned as we take off into the world of the Future Flight Crew Program!

Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Precision Aviation Group and Vertical Valor Magazine.

Welcome to another episode of the Valor Flight Crew Podcast, hosted by ECHO and brought to you by Vertical HeliCASTS and Vertical Valor Magazine!

In today’s episode we are joined by a true innovator in search-and-rescue and emergency medical services: Miles Randell, president of Technical Evacuation Advanced Aero Medical—better known as TEAAM.

Miles brings a wealth of experience as he shares the challenges of delivering life-saving care in the remote wilderness of British Columbia.

From the formation of TEAAM, to their fleet of aircraft, resources, and training that keep their operations running, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how they bridge the gaps in pre-hospital care. But this episode isn’t just about logistics and rescues—it’s also about the people.

Miles opens up about the critical importance of mental health support for first responders, the personal experiences that shaped TEAAM's supportive culture, and how they’re breaking down stigmas around seeking help. It’s a powerful conversation about resilience, innovation, and the profound impact TEAAM has on communities and lives.

So, stay tuned for this exciting episode.

Thank you to our sponsors Metro Aviation, Precision Aviation Group and Spectrum Aeromed.

Vertical HeliCASTS — your Vertical podcast network — is thrilled to announce the launch of The Valor Flight Crew Podcast, with the first episode streaming now.

The HeliCASTS podcast network, which launched in the fall of 2023, is part of MHM Publishing’s growing family of multimedia offerings.

The Valor Flight Crew Podcast is now the fifth podcast on the HeliCASTS network, alongside The Hangar Z Podcast, hosted by Jon Gray; The Helicopter Podcast, hosted by Halsey Schider; The Real ResQ Podcast, hosted by Jason Quinn, and The Vertical MRO Podcast, hosted by Val Medved.

Produced in partnership with ECHO (Every Coast Helicopter Operations), The Valor Flight Crew Podcast promotes the personnel and life-saving equipment behind helicopter air ambulance services.

“We’re thrilled to partner with an important organization like ECHO to bring The Valor Flight Crew Podcast to the HeliCASTS network,” said MHM Publishing co-owner Mike Reyno. “This podcast really complements Vertical Valor, which is the only rotorcraft resource dedicated to the public safety and military sectors.

“The goal with The Valor Flight Crew Podcast is not only to share captivating stories from the helicopter air ambulance sector, but to explore the major topics and issues impacting that world.”

Listeners will join hosts Mike Fadale and Blake Shrider for in-depth interviews and expert insights from air medical personnel, pilots, communication specialists, and maintenance crews who play critical roles in airborne emergency response.

Fadale has been involved in the emergency medical services (EMS) field for more than 25 years and currently flies for a progressive hospital-based program where he cares for neonatal, pediatric, and adult populations. His job combines his two greatest passions in life: emergency medicine and helicopters.

He has been an active member of ECHO since 2015, serving on the board of directors and the Flight Crew Assistance & Support Team (FAST), as well as assisting with ECHO’s Future Flight Crew initiative and the organization’s annual conference.

“I am excited for this next chapter with The Valor Flight Crew Podcast,” said Fadale. “I look forward to highlighting public safety aviation in a different way.”

Shrider has spent two decades in the emergency medical services field, currently working dual roles as a flight paramedic and critical care paramedic with two different services. In addition to those roles, he serves as a field training officer, special operations team member, logistics team member, EMS instructor, and an American Heart Association instructor.

Shrider has been involved with ECHO for the past four years and is part of the organization’s Future Flight Crew cohort, which offers instruction and mentorship to students who are interested in an air medical transport career. He is passionate about teaching and “striving for a safer, higher level of pre-hospital emergency care.”

Fadale and Shrider’s diverse backgrounds in public safety aviation and leadership are sure to bring unique perspectives and expertise to The Valor Flight Crew Podcast.