In emergency services, clarity saves lives. But what happens when our own internal "lenses" blur our ability to truly see others — and ourselves — clearly? This powerful and interactive session explores how unconscious bias shows up in subtle and not-so-subtle ways across hiring, development, decision-making, and team dynamics. As the workforce shifts and becomes more diverse, today’s EMS leaders must learn to widen their perspective to better connect with — and lead — the next generation of responders. We all lead through a lens shaped by our experiences, identities, and assumptions. Sometimes that lens distorts what — or who — we see. By learning to adjust it, we can lead with greater awareness, empathy, and intention and strengthen our emotional intelligence. You’ll walk away with tools to recognize and manage bias in real time, shift small but powerful micro-behaviors, and build a culture of inclusion where everyone has the chance to thrive. When we adjust our lens, we sharpen our focus, lead more clearly, and serve more powerfully. Better vision leads to better outcomes. Let’s refocus.

Accreditation: While all 2026 WEMSA Conference class sessions are CAPCE accredited (and thereby usable CEUs for State AND NREMT relicensing purposes), some of our courses have also been approved for NAAC CEU credits. This course has been approved for 1 NAAC CEU which could be used towards the following certifications:

1. Certified Ambulance Coder (CAC)
2. Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer (CACO)
3. Certified Ambulance Financial Officer (CAFO)