Editor鈥檚 note: The following content is part of 草莓影视鈥檚 EMS Leader Playbook 鈥� aimed at helping new EMS leaders increase their effectiveness, enhance their leadership KSAs, develop trust among crewmembers, and build confidence. Through a handful of questions presented by 草莓影视, veteran chiefs reflect on their early days in leadership roles and offer advice, while newer leaders detail their experiences taking on a new position.
Email editor@ems1.com to offer your insights for the EMS Leader Playbook or to nominate a chief to be featured.
In this installment of Chief Insights, we feature Adam Thompson, MS, EMT-P.
Thompson is the division chief for the Office of the Medical Director at Lee County EMS, where his innovative leadership has advanced EMS education and training. As a senior EMS educator, he is known for bridging theory with practice and for his influential work on 鈥� a trusted resource that delivers cutting-edge insights to EMS professionals nationwide. In addition, his book, , serves as a key reference for practitioners looking to enhance their clinical skills. Through these initiatives, Thompson continues to shape the future of EMS education and improve patient care.
What was the incident or person in your career that put you on the path to becoming a chief?
Throughout my career, I鈥檝e been fortunate to report directly to great leaders, but my mentor, Deputy Chief Corey Younger, played a pivotal role in my development. He always nurtured the ambition I had early on, encouraging me to grow and lead. From my first leadership role as a lieutenant in 2013, to becoming a division chief in 2022, I鈥檝e sought to make a lasting impact, particularly in training and development. The opportunity to shape how our EMS professionals learn, grow and serve is what drives me every day.
Look ahead: What鈥檚 something you want to accomplish in your next year as chief?
Although I鈥檝e been a division chief for a few years now, if I look back to my early goals, one thing stands out: I wanted to make training more valuable and instill in others the same passion I have for prehospital medicine. That mission continues today. A key focus is expanding our ability to develop providers through high-quality education, leadership preparation and fostering a culture where learning is continuous.
How do you create an organizational culture that people want to be a part of, to join and to stay in?
Building and maintaining a strong culture is one of the hardest and most important things we do. At Lee County EMS, we practice Just Culture, which creates an environment where employees feel safe to be honest about mistakes and policy breaches, leading to growth, rather than punishment.
We invest in our people through an in-house, fully-funded paramedic program, leadership development for field training officers and extensive training opportunities. Additionally, mental health support is a priority, with an in-house therapist specializing in first responder stress. People stay where they feel supported, challenged, and valued.
How do you support and stand up for your personnel, internally and externally, to show that you care about them as a person and a professional?
Our team members spend a significant portion of their lives serving others. As leaders, it鈥檚 our responsibility to serve them. Checking in, actually listening and celebrating their milestones, whether professional or personal, are simple but powerful ways to show we care. Saying 鈥渢hank you,鈥� recognizing their sacrifices (missed holidays, family time, sleep), and advocating for their needs both internally and externally ensures they know their well-being matters.
How do you demonstrate servant leadership?
One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is running and teaching our in-house paramedic program. Helping people reach a major career milestone is incredibly fulfilling, and it benefits both them and our organization. Servant leadership means being invested in others鈥� success, removing obstacles and creating opportunities for people to reach their full potential. When they grow, we all do.
Leadership lightning round
- What is a leadership book, podcast or seminar you鈥檝e found invaluable? by Simon Sinek
- If you knew the budget request would be approved, what鈥檚 a big purchase you鈥檇 make for your department today? A mobile simulation lab; our current stationary lab is a bit of a distance for some providers, and making high-fidelity training more accessible would be a game changer.
- How do you recharge/improve your resiliency? Time with my wife and two sons. They remind me of what truly matters and keep me grounded.
