“I’m Burnt Out”: The Realities of EMS and the Story Behind Code 3 | Patrick Pianezza
In this bonus episode of Beneath the Helmet, I sit down with Patrick Pianezza to explore the real story behind the film Code 3 and the lived realities of working in EMS. What begins as a conversation about filmmaking quickly turns into an honest look at burnout, the emotional weight of 911 calls, and the culture of pushing through in the first responder world. Patrick shares how his own experiences shaped the story, why authenticity mattered, and what still needs to change when it comes to supporting those doing the job.
“I’m Burnt Out”: The Realities of EMS and the Story Behind Code 3 | Patrick Pianezza
In this powerful bonus episode of Beneath the Helmet, host Arjuna George sits down with Patrick Pianezza to explore the real story behind the hit film Code 3.
This conversation goes far beyond filmmaking. It dives into the lived reality of EMS, the emotional weight of the job, and the truth about burnout in the first responder world.
Patrick shares how a college writing assignment turned into a feature film, why authenticity mattered more than entertainment, and what he hopes first responders and the public take away from Code 3.
If you’ve ever felt the weight of the job, questioned your capacity, or wondered how to keep going, this episode will resonate.
⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction and bonus episode kickoff
01:00 – Meet Patrick Pianezza and his first responder background
04:30 – From EMS to Hollywood: how Code 3 was created
06:30 – Getting the script noticed and produced
08:00 – Why Patrick wrote Code 3: frustration, burnout, and reality
10:00 – Burnout in EMS and lessons learned
12:00 – The reality of the job and taking care of yourself
13:00 – Building a 24-hour shift into a film
15:00 – Authenticity in first responder storytelling
16:00 – No hero worship and respecting the patient
17:00 – Public perception vs real first responder experience
19:00 – Cast experiences and behind-the-scenes insights
22:00 – Training actors to perform like real paramedics
25:00 – The hardest scenes and emotional impact
27:00 – Burnout in the first responder world today
28:30 – Gaps in support systems and EAP challenges
31:00 – What needs to change in burnout prevention
33:00 – Conversations this film is meant to spark
34:30 – Three key strategies to cope with the job
36:00 – Will Patrick return to EMS?
38:00 – Dispatch vs frontline realities
41:00 – What Patrick hopes viewers take away
46:00 – The danger of romanticizing the job
47:00 – If the ambulance could talk…
50:00 – Dark humor and where the line is
51:30 – Behind the scenes: working with cast and crew
54:00 – Filming in Los Angeles and production scale
55:30 – Searching for the professor who started it all
56:30 – Where to watch Code 3
58:30 – Final message to first responders: thank you
🎬 Where to Watch Code 3Code 3 is available on Apple and Amazon (rent or purchase).
In Canada, distribution is through Vortex Media, and the film is also available on Blu-ray and DVD and now Netflix Canada.
This is not just a conversation about a movie.
It’s about:
- Burnout in EMS and first responders
- The emotional impact of the job
- The reality behind 911 calls
- The importance of taking care of yourself
- Bridging the gap between first responders and the public
If you’re feeling burnt out, running on fumes, or quietly wondering how long you can keep this pace, you’re not alone. And more importantly, you don’t have to stay there. My book Burnt Around the Edges was written from lived experience inside the fire service, for people who carry the weight of high-performance roles every day. It’s not theory. It’s practical, grounded guidance to help you understand your stress, regulate your nervous system, and build a sustainable path forward so you can have a long, strong, and meaningful career without losing yourself along the way. If something in you is saying it’s time for a reset, this is a place to start. 👉Order Your Copy Today or on Amazon.
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Stay well.
Host Arjuna George - Fire Chief (ret)
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Arjuna George – Fire Chief (ret) Owner of Silver Arrow Coaching and Consulting, Beneath the Helmet Show, and Burnt Around the Edges author.
www.silverarrowco.com
www.burntaroundtheedges.com
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Film Writer - CODE 3
Patrick (he/him) is a Writer and Actor who was born in central Illinois to immigrant parents that surrounded him with stories that fostered an incredible imagination. He graduated high school from Sacred Heart-Griffin and proceeded to get an associates degree in Biology from Lincoln Land Community College while pursuing a certificate of completion for his Paramedic license. He served as a volunteer fireman and EMT at the Sherman Volunteer Fire Department for nearly 4 years. Patrick transferred to the University of South Carolina garnering a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in Public Relations and a Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) while concurrently working as a Paramedic Crew Chief for Lexington County Emergency Medical Services. His graduate work took him to Baltimore to complete his externship at Johns Hopkins Hospital's Human Resources Department as well as serving on The Johns Hopkins' Critical Care Transport Team known as Lifeline. He has worked in hospital operations and Patient Experience for large complex health care systems across the country since 2010. He is a published author, reference source and podcaster. Patrick broke into the entertainment industry with his first draft of Code 3, which he then co-wrote with his friend and mentor Chris Leone. He is a dual citizen with the USA and Canada, Speaks Italian, bad Spanish and terrible French. Patrick is married to an amazing woman, his brother is Paul "Pizza" Pianezza, and has the world's greatest nephew.
