2026 Conference Program

Pediatric respiratory emergencies are some of the most anxiety-provoking calls in the fire and EMS world not because they are rare but because when they go bad, they go bad fast. This session focuses on three of the most common and most dangerous pediatric breathing emergencies encountered by fire-based EMS systems: bronchiolitis, asthma, and croup.  Rather than overwhelming providers with memorization-heavy algorithms, this class teaches pattern recognition, early severity assessment, and decisive treatment strategies that work in real-world environments—living rooms at 0300, cramped stairwells, loud scenes, and anxious caregivers. Attendees will learn how to quickly distinguish upper vs. lower airway pathology, identify early signs of respiratory failure (before oxygen saturation drops), and tailor interventions to pediatric physiology. Emphasis is placed on what matters most in the first 5–10 minutes, how to avoid common treatment pitfalls, and when aggressive escalation saves lives. This is a practical, field-focused session designed to replace fear with confidence and hesitation with action. At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to differentiate bronchiolitis, asthma, and croup using rapid bedside assessment and airway anatomy clues; identify early indicators of pediatric respiratory failure beyond pulse oximetry, including work of breathing and mental status changes; select appropriate, evidence-based prehospital treatments for each condition and avoid interventions that may worsen disease; recognize when escalation is required and initiate timely airway and ventilatory support; and communicate effectively with caregivers to reduce scene chaos and improve patient cooperation.