Shows to watch if you like first responder dramas (and where to stream them)

TV medical dramas have been the rage for decades with the emphasis on hospital-based medical shows. However, the first responder drama can be just as thrilling. Firefighters are the usual focus yet there can also be paramedics or other types of emergency workers. The shows are usually packed with thrills and the focus on “emergency of the week” storylines.

The best ones also have compelling characters, well written subplots and enthrall viewers every week. There are a lot out there and thanks to streaming, you can find plenty around. For anyone into a first responder drama, these dozen are worth tracking down on streaming.

Fire Country

This CBS hit has been a terrific ride, thanks to its fun setup. Bode (Max Thieriot) is a California convict who becomes part of a program where inmates help combat forest fires. Bode is assigned to a camp in his old hometown for a rough reunion with his firefighter parents (Billy Burke and Diane Farr) and tries to redeem himself.

The show boasts some terrific action scenes of fires, crashes, a mudslide, a fair struck by a storm and more. It’s all well made with very compelling characters and some wonderful growth. Anyone who loves a hot first responder drama should enjoy this. 

Season 1 streaming on Netflix, seasons 1-2 streaming on Paramount+

 911 and 911: Lone Star

The 911 series, which began on FOX before moving to ABC last year, set a new bar for wild first responder drama. Each season just gets wilder as the L.A.-based firefighters and cops tangle with earthquakes, power failures, a bursting dam, a tidal wave, a cruise ship sinking, and even meteorites. At this point, the only disaster the team hasn’t handled is a zombie uprising, but maybe that’s in season 8. The show is backed by the great cast of Peter Krause, Angela Bassett, and more as the show never ceases to amaze in emergencies.

The Lone Star spinoff is just as wild using the Texas setting with a storyline based on the 2021 winter storms and its own daring mix of action and dramatics. Rob Lowe is the highlight of the cast as both shows combine for the craziest action you’ll ever see in a first responder drama. 

Both series are streaming on Hulu

Chicago Fire

The kickoff of the entire One Chicago universe is prepping for its 13th season and shows no signs of slowing down. The firefighters and paramedics of the Windy City have to handle a lot of fires as well as train crashes, storms and other events while navigating their always tricky personal dramas. A fantastic ensemble cast makes it work as you get behind anyone from leaders Casey and Boden to veterans Herrmann and Mouch.

Major characters die to show the risks of the job and there are crossovers with the other One Chicago shows to spark things up. It’s still amazing how this series has taken off and remains a terrific thrill, as well as how it started one of TV’s best franchises.

Seasons 1-12 are streaming on Peacock

Third Watch

While it ran for six seasons and 132 episodes, this NBC drama somehow never got the attention it deserved. It’s too bad as it’s a great mix of storylines as cops, firefighters and paramedics work together in New York City. The cast is filled with now familiar faces like Bobby Cannavale, Kim Raver, Michael Beach, Eddie Cibrian and more, all of whom handle the terrific mixing plotlines.

The show used the New York setting well, especially season 3 when they all adjusted to the chaos of 9/11. The character work is great and how it’s basically all three One Chicago shows put together. Seriously underrated, it deserves a watch for a terrific drama no matter which of the three first responder types you go for.

Streaming on Tubi and The Roku Channel 

Station 19

Recently wrapping up its seven season run, this Grey’s Anatomy spinoff can be enjoyed quite well on its own. The focus is on a band of firefighters in Seattle handling a variety of emergencies, but like any Shonda Rhimes show, it’s soon home to some steamy hookups between characters. Yet there’s great character work from the female firefighters proving themselves to some strong LGBTQ+ themes. 

The series could be daring in addressing social issues of bigotry and politics while still having some great heart, as the characters face everything from a pandemic to budget cuts with pride. It’s a shame it ended a bit too soon, yet even if you’re not a Grey’s fan, you can love this fine series.

Streaming on Hulu

Sky Med

This Canadian series has a spin on the genre with a pack of doctors who work for a special air ambulance service in the Canadian wilderness. Thus, aside from the usual emergencies, there’s the thrill of flying often in rough weather. The emergencies can involve crazy plots from missing hikers to crashes and a smuggling plot line as well.

The cast are good with some often steamy hookups between characters. The second season is better in the writing and conflicts to make it a good watch. With a third season coming, it’s the best time to get started on a show that flies high in terms of high-stakes rescue dramas.

Streaming on Paramount+

Baywatch

It can be dismissed just because of the camp factor, but it’s still worth watching what was once the highest-rated show on television. David Hasselhoff is the lead as Mitch Buchanan, the head of a California lifeguard crew whose daily routines can involve sinking ships, plane crashes, smugglers, and more. What everyone remembers is the bevy of gorgeous ladies and the often cheesy music video sequences.

The cast included Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, Geena Lee Nolin, and more beauties, and it was often hilarious when it tried for serious storylines. At the same time, the producers provided thrills in those ocean rescues and ensured the show would always be entertaining so it could count as a TV classic.

Streaming on Tubi and Prime Video 

Rescue Me

It’s a darker tale than others on this list, yet it should be highlighted. This 2004-2011 series has Denis Leary in probably his best role as Tommy Gavin, a NYFD battalion chief still feeling the effects of 9/11. It’s contributed to him being a boozing, self-destructive mess who only feels alive when he’s close to death. The series paints a picture of firefighters as real people with scores of flaws and how the job can wear down anyone.

Like any FX drama, it doesn’t shy away from dark material and controversial scenes while showing Tommy as a very disturbed figure. Yet it’s also a compelling viewing experience with a fine supporting cast and some big-name guest stars such as Michael J. Fox. It’s more about the characters than the thrills, but it should be counted as one of the best firefighter shows ever.

Streaming on Hulu

Emergency!

Here’s the granddaddy of all modern first-responder dramas. This 1972-1977 NBC series focused on two young firefighter-paramedics in Los Angeles who had to respond to various emergencies at a time when such services were lighter. Episodes would balance between the paramedics and then the doctors at the hospital trying to help the rescued patients. 

The show was groundbreaking in how it covered these events and even inspired real-life paramedic training and communications. It still holds up today for a terrific ensemble drama that every other show on this list owes a debt to.

Streaming on Philio

Tacoma FD

Shifting gears to comedy, this Tru TV show has a fun idea. It focuses on the fire department of Tacoma, Washington…which is one of the wettest cities in America. Thus, the firefighters are usually goofing around the station or have a variety of weird calls across the city. That leads to a lot of escapades the show pulls off well. 

Kevin Heffernan is great as the chief who wants to be taken seriously and fails miserably. It’s not helped that his crew is filled with bumbling antics even if they do mean well. The show is slapstick yet has some fun actual fire cases so if you need some laughs after all these dramas, its four season run works well.

Streaming on Netflix and Hulu 

London’s Burning

Shifting things overseas is this long-running 1988-2002 British hit spotlighting the firefighters of London. Their days were spent not only with fires but also with other accidents, and at first, they played a bit of black comedy. As it went on, it became more serious, addressing cultural issues and character flaws. It was also fascinating seeing how the culture and tech of the station shifted from the late ‘80s to the early 21st century.

It’s intriguing to see that even with the different country, the firemen face the same challenges as their American counterparts. The show was well made and got better in the writing as it went, including a willingness to kill major characters. Its long run shows how much drama you can enjoy with this series.

Streaming on Tubi

SAF3

This short-lived 2013 series is notable as a rare TV role for action star Dolph Lundgren. He heads up a special mix of the Sea, Air and Fire units of the Malibu department. So we get firemen, paramedics and even lifeguards responding to emergencies. A big role is J.R. Martinez as a fireman still bearing the scars of a disaster he barely survived.

The series has a nice polish, featuring some top-level emergencies like a mine rescue and flashbacks to a huge event that brought the whole team together. Lundgren is a gruff and ready boss to highlight it and the characters often deal with personal drama. It only ran one season but was still worth a watch for fans of the genre.

Streaming on Tubi