Inside EMS

Is ‘Code 3’ the most accurate EMS film ever?


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This week on Inside EMS, Chris Cebollero welcomes Patrick Pianezza — former EMS Leadership podcast co‑host, paramedic and co-writer on the new action-comedy EMS film ‘Code 3.’ Pianezza teamed up with writer Christopher Leone to push for authenticity, insisting on medical accuracy and avoiding cliches — no guns‑in‑ambulance heroics, no patients as punchlines.

There are scenes that will make medics say, “That’s us!” — from nursing home calls to behavioral health crises, the pressures from society, as well as moments many will recognize in their gut. For EMS professionals, this is about being seen, valued and having your story told well. For everyone else, it’s an invitation to look deeper at the people showing up to help you on your worst day.

Memorable quotes

“What I really care about, what I want people to take away from the movie, especially if you’re still actively doing the job, is that they feel recognized. They feel seen, they feel like we did them justice.” — Patrick Pianezza

“CPR is so terribly shown on screen that we were committed to like, at least one movie’s gonna get it right.” — Patrick Pianezza

“There is a heart to it that I think is universal and speaks to not just people who do the job, but for outsiders to get a view into this world and be like, ‘Oh, so that’s what this job is.’” — Patrick Pianezza

Additional resources:

  • Burnout, bravery and gratitude: The story behind ‘Code 3’
  • Why ‘Code 3’ might be the most honest EMS film yet
  • ‘Code 3’: A love letter to fire and EMS
  • Enjoying the show? Email [email protected] to share feedback or suggest future guests. 

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