In this episode of
Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan leads a compelling conversation with leading experts at the intersection of air transport and high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) care. The panel includes Vance Ferebee, former Medical Division Director and Chief Flight Nurse for Phoenix Air Group; Wade Miles from Emory’s Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response; Ben Tysor of Omaha Fire and Rescue; and Alex Isakov, Executive Director of Emory’s Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response. Together, they break down the realities, challenges, and lessons learned from transporting infectious disease patients both internationally and domestically. The discussion includes behind-the-scenes stories from landmark missions, including patient transports during the West Africa Ebola outbreak. Listeners get an inside look at what it really takes—from specialized airborne containment systems to the intricate handoffs between fixed-wing and ground teams—to safely move critically ill patients across continents while protecting both patients and providers. The conversation explores technical hurdles such as maintaining ICU-level care in the air and managing security and privacy concerns, as well as the importance of relationships, protocols, and practice in ensuring smooth operations. The experts emphasize the value of preparation, collaboration, and adaptable risk assessment in facing future outbreaks and ensuring that health systems are ready to respond—whether for major events like the World Cup, another global crisis, or unexpected threats closer to home. Tune in for a fascinating look at the journey from runway to ICU—and what it takes to keep both patients and transport teams safe. Questions or comments for NETEC? Contact us at info@netec.org. Visit
Transmission Interrupted online at netec.org/podcast.
Guests
Vance Ferebee, BSN
Vance Ferebee is the former Medical Division Director and Chief Flight Nurse for Phoenix Air Group. He served as the Director from 2007-2025 and was co-lead on the team that developed the Airborne Biological Containment System (ABCS) utilized for patient transport during the West Africa Ebola outbreak of 2014-2015. He lead the team that developed and implemented the follow on infectious disease transport unit, the Containerized Biological Containment System (CBCS) utilized during the initial COVID outbreak, transporting over 100 patients from Japan, California and Africa back home to Europe and the US.
Alex Isakov, MD, MPH
Alex Isakov is the founding executive director of the Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR) and a professor of emergency medicine at Emory University. He directs CEPAR’s initiatives to enhance disaster resilience at Emory and in the broader community. He is also the director of Emory’s Section of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine and leads Emory EMS. Alex serves as a co-lead for NETEC's EMS Workgroup.
Wade Miles, NRP
Wade Miles is the Operations and Training Manager for the Emory Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response (CEPAR). Wade is responsible for the development, management and delivery of educational programs. In addition, he works with the CEPAR team to help develop and coordinate drills and exercises for the University. Miles also serves as the Training Manager for the Section of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine. Wade also serves as a co-lead for NETEC's EMS Workgroup.
Ben Tysor, NPR
Ben Tysor is Captain and Paramedic of Emergency Medical Services Quality Assurance at Omaha Fire & Rescue. Ben has over 20 years of experience in fire and emergency medical services. He is a member of the Omaha Fire & Rescue high consequence infectious disease transport team and was instrumental in the transport of patients with confirmed Ebola Virus Disease who were cared for at the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit.
Host
Jill Morgan, RN
Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, GA Jill Morgan is a registered nurse and a subject matter expert in personal protective equipment (PPE) for NETEC. For 35 years, Jill has been an emergency department and critical care nurse, and now splits her time between education for NETEC and clinical research, most of it centering around infection prevention and personal protective equipment. She is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), ASTM International, and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).
Resources
A Partnership for Preparedness
The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen preparedness and response across health systems in the U.S. with the goals of driving best practices, closing knowledge gaps, and developing innovative resources. Our vision is a sustainable infrastructure and culture of readiness for managing suspected and confirmed special pathogen incidents across the United States public health and health care delivery systems. For more information visit
NETEC on the web.
NETEC Consultation Services
Assess and Advance Your Readiness for Special Pathogens with Free, Expert Consulting. NETEC offers free virtual and onsite readiness consulting to help health care facilities and EMS agencies prepare for special pathogen events. Our targeted support services are delivered by experts selected and assigned to each inquiry based on the unique needs of your organization. Have a question? Ask a NETEC expert. For more information visit
NETEC's Consulting Services.
