Chris & Spencer - EMS 20/20 (RideAlong Interview)

In this special interview episode of the RideAlong: EMT School Podcast, we sit down with Chris Pfingsten and Spencer Oliver, the hosts of the hit podcast EMS 20/20.

Chris and Spencer join us to talk about their individual paths into EMS, how their friendship evolved through paramedic school, and how those experiences ultimately shaped the creation of EMS 20/20. Along the way, we dive into real-world EMS decision-making, the realities of working with limited resources, why classroom learning still matters, and how randomness and chaos are part of every call — sometimes literally decided by a 20-sided die.

As always, the conversation takes a few entertaining detours into movie references, questionable ambulance memories, fictional EMS worlds, and the kind of gallows humor that only makes sense if you’ve worn gloves at 3 a.m.

This episode is packed with insight for EMT students, seasoned providers, and anyone curious about what EMS really looks like beyond the textbook.

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Check out the EMS 20/20 CE Credit Subscription!

https://flightbridgeed.com/xproduct/ems-20-20-podcast-ce-subscription/

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Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Welcome & special guest introduction

02:00 – Name pronunciations, Hollywood Video memories, and early EMS stories

09:45 – First calls, rookie nerves, and “how sweaty were you?”

15:00 – Chris & Spencer’s paths into EMS and paramedic school

23:00 – Humor, coping mechanisms, and being misunderstood in EMS

26:30 – Ambulance types, vomit floods, and operational competence

33:00 – Building EMS 20/20 and why randomness matters in learning

01:09:00 – Classroom vs real-world medicine and the value of new EMTs

01:12:00 – Resource-rich vs resource-limited systems and decision-making

01:33:00 – In-flight medical emergencies and what actually happens

01:37:00 – EMS in fictional worlds (Middle-earth, Gotham, and Florida)

01:44:00 – Final thoughts, encouragement, and closing reflections

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⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and storytelling purposes only. It is not medical advice or official EMT training. Always follow your accredited instructors and local protocols.

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🚑 RideAlong: EMT School Links

www.ridealong.bulletn.net