# ‘Hydraulic debriefing:’ Alcohol, stress, and the hidden culture of EMS

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ems-one-stop-5691901/hydraulic-debriefing-alcohol-stress-and-the-hidden-culture-of-ems
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ems-one-stop-5691901/hydraulic-debriefing-alcohol-stress-and-the-hidden-culture-of-ems.md
Podcast: [EMS One-Stop](https://stenobird.com/podcast/ems-one-stop-5691901)
Published: 2026-04-23T16:43:18+00:00
Episode link: https://emsonestop.podbean.com/e/hydraulic-debriefing-alcohol-stress-and-the-hidden-culture-of-ems/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/7dmattzhanyqgtbh/Maria_Koeppel_PhD7rlrl.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/ems-one-stop-5691901/episodes/hydraulic-debriefing-alcohol-stress-and-the-hidden-culture-of-ems
Duration seconds: 1840

## Resource

In this episode of EMS One-Stop, Rob Lawrence sits down with Dr. Maria Koeppel to explore a topic that has long existed in the shadows of EMS culture — alcohol use among providers. | MORE: First responders and alcohol – how much is too much? Drawing on NIH and FEMA supported research, Koeppel outlines how EMS clinicians may be engaging in higher-risk drinking behaviors than the general population, with patterns influenced by stress, exposure and workplace culture. What emerges is not a story of individual weakness, but one of systemic pressure — where both major traumatic incidents and the accumulation of low-acuity, high-frequency calls contribute to a steady burden of stress that many providers attempt to manage off-duty. The conversation moves beyond statistics into culture, leadership and generational change. Koeppel highlights how traditional “crew bonding” through alcohol — what one participant termed “hydraulic debriefing” — may be giving way to a new, more wellness-focused approach among younger clinicians. At the same time, gaps in education, policy and peer support remain evident across EMS systems. For leaders, the message is clear: alcohol use is not a fringe issue, but a workforce health, safety and performance issue that requires thoughtful engagement, cultural awareness and proactive support structures. Key quotes from Maria Koeppel “Over 50% of firefighters surveyed had binge drank in the last 30 days — about twice the rate of the general population.” “EMS providers tend to drink a little bit more frequently than the general population — and that’s tied directly to stress.” “It’s not just the big trauma calls — it’s the micro-stressors that add up over time.” “A third of clinicians in our sample engaged in high-risk drinking behaviors.” “Younger clinici…

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## Transcript

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