911 is one of ABC’s most popular shows revolving around first responders. From the 118 firefighters to the 911 dispatchers and police officers, there are plenty of stories that bring the audience in each week as they fight fires and solve cases. But 911 isn’t the only first responder show out there, and there are so many good ones.
Each episode does focus on some dramatic moments in the show, but there are the occasional light-hearted moments that allow audiences to get a chuckle or two before a major emotional impact occurs. This is not just the case for 911 but for other first responder shows out there. You might not think there are new ways to tell stories about first responders.
However, each one on the list has a different feel, whether one might be more comedic or others have a sense of grit alongside some humorous elements that allow us to connect with the characters. Here is a list of five first responder shows that you must watch if you enjoy 911. This is by no means the most comprehensive list, but these shows have stuck out the most when it comes to shows focusing on those who save lives.
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire has aired for 14 seasons on NBC and is part of their One Chicago franchise alongside Chicago Med and Chicago PD. All three of their shows have been very successful, including Fire, which focuses on firefighters at Station 51. While the show has had a lot of turnaround when it comes to cast members coming and going in recent years, it has boasted great ratings due to the cast and storylines on the show.
The show currently stars Taylor Kinney as Kelly Severide, Christian Stolte as Randall “Mouch” McHolland, David Eigenberg as Christopher Hermann, Miranda Mayo as Stella Kidd, and Joe Minoso as Joe Cruz. Airing since 2012, the show has managed to hold its own even with cast changes over the years, including most recently in season 14 with the exit of both Sam Carver (Jake Lockett) and Jack Damon (Michael Bradway).
While Chicago Fire takes on a more serious approach than 911, it still has amazing storylines that bring you in every Wednesday. Audiences get to see the lives of the firefighters both inside and out of work, and there are high-stakes moments that leave you breathless. Heading into season 15, this is a show worth checking out.
Station 19
Station 19 ended in 2024 after seven seasons, but it was still one of ABC’s most popular firefighter shows and was a spin-off of their other longtime series, Grey’s Anatomy, meaning it was based in Seattle. Much like 911, the show also had plenty of LGBT+ representation that viewers could feel represented by. The show focused on the action and the romantic choices of the characters, and they found a captive audience who enjoyed every moment of the series.
The cast of the series included Jay Hayden as Travis Montgomery, Jaina Lee Ortiz as Andrea “Andy” Herrera, Barrett Doss as Victoria “Vic” Hughes, Danielle Savre as Maya Bishop, and Okiereiete Onaodowan as Dean Miller. These are just some of the many talented cast members who brought this show to life.
In the series, Herrera was building a legacy at the firehouse that was led by her father, and that is a theme we see often in 911 and how father figures can impact the characters. Even though the show is no longer airing, you can watch all seven seasons on Hulu.
The Rookie
Following Los Angeles police officers, The Rookie has aired for eight seasons so far, and the episodes always come with romance, comedy, and drama that is always unfolding for the officers the show follows. Led by Nathan Fillion as John Nolan, who started off as the rookie in question and joined the force later in life, the show has built a dedicated fan base. While it does not focus on firefighters like 911, it does provide us with a look into a different set of first responders.
The show also stars Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, Melissa O’Neil as Lucy Chen, Eric Winter as Tim Bradford, Richard T. Jones as Wade Grey, Mekia Cox as Nyla Harper, Lisseth Chavez as Celina Juarez, Shawn Ashmore as Wesley Evers, and Jenna Dewan as Bailey Nune. As season 9 is on the way, fans are eager to watch, especially after the season 8 finale cliffhanger involving fan-favorite couple Lucy Chen and Tim Bradford, who shared a romantic moment before being put in danger. So if you want to catch up, now is the time to do it!
In addition to airing on ABC, the show is also available streaming on Hulu.
Fire Country
One of the most interesting aspects of the CBS series Fire Country is the different look viewers have into firefighters who volunteer during a prisoner release program. The show follows Bode Leone, who was released from prison and has been working toward redemption. He works as a volunteer firefighter with a prison release firefighter program, where he joins other inmates and actual firefighters to help them battle large wildfires.
Cast members of the show have included Max Thieriot as Bodie, Stephanie Arcila, Billy Burke, and Diane Farr. Plus, the cast also includes Jules Latimer, Jordan Calloway, Shawn Hatosy, and Kevin Alejandro. While Arcila and Burke have left the show at this point, the show continues to be a success for CBS, especially through streaming. Just recently, the series added another series regular in the form of Olivia Thirlby, who will join the show’s fifth season in the fall of 2026 as a new character named Cecilia Jade “CJ” Ryan.
Her character has been described as “quick-witted” and a “decorated urban firefighter” who left her previous firehouse and eventually comes to Edgewater and meets Bode. From there, it seems like she will be a fresh new addition to the show, which is airing a shorter season 5 with only 13 episodes.
Despite this, the show has been successful and is a fun watch for anyone who enjoys firefighter shows and learning about different types of firefighting. It is available to watch on Paramount+ if you have not had the chance to check it out.
911: Lone Star
Of course, we couldn’t help but add the spinoff to the original 9-1-1, which aired on FOX for five seasons and featured actors like Rob Lowe, Jim Parrack, Ronen Rubinstein, Natacha Karam, Rafael Silva, Brian Michael Smith, Brianna Baker, Julian Works, and Gina Torres. Sierra McClain also starred as Dispatcher Grace Ryder, who left the show before season 5 but was still a major part of the season since her husband, Judd, was deeply impacted by her absence.
The show dealt with a lot of serious issues, such as addiction, loss of a spouse, and cancer, all while the firefighters worked to protect the community of Austin, Texas. The relationship between Rubenstein’s Tyler Kennedy “TK” Strand and Silva’s Carlos Reyes was a favorite of the fans, and audiences got to see their relationship from the beginning until when they were married.
While the show certainly had some cheesy and cringy moments, it definitely borrowed elements from its predecessor that make this the perfect show to watch if you love 911. All five seasons are available for streaming on Hulu.
Since we’re still deep into the summer months, these shows are perfect to watch if you want to immerse yourself in other first responder universes just like 911.
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