9 Best TV Shows About First Responders for Every NCIS and Chicago Fire Fan

Superheroes have always been among us: their job is to rush to the rescue in emergency situations, risking their own lives.

Although projects about firefighters, paramedics and rescuers are quite popular, there are not that many of them — here we have collected nine of the best that will bring you both tears and laughter.

1. The Smoke, 2014

The leader of the White Watch firefighters team is Kev. He is a good man who has been dedicated to his heroic profession since he was 18 years old. One day, his life was ruined by the negligence and deceit of his boss. Kev barely survived a terrible fire that left him with burns all over his body. But despite the tragedy, the man found the strength to return to work and continue saving lives.

The Smoke is a realistic series about the work of firefighters: how hard, painful and scary it is to save people. The firefighters overcame basic human instincts to save lives, without receiving big money, fame, and often even gratitude.

2. Tacoma FD, 2019-2023

The main characters of the series are the firefighters of the Tacoma Fire Department, a city officially recognized as the "wettest" in the US. These fearless superheroes are always ready to rush out to fight fires, but most of the time the fires are extinguished by the rain.

The heroes themselves get the less prestigious part of the job — rescuing dogs and pulling kittens down from trees. Trying to overcome boredom in the absence of interesting cases, Tacoma firefighters entertain themselves in the most unexpected ways.

If you find it hard to watch dramatic series about rescuers and firefighters, then Tacoma FD is a perfect choice — after all, not all series about first responders have to be filled with drama.

3. Rescue Me, 2004-2011

Every day, firefighter Tommy Gavin and his colleagues fight fires. Saving lives is his duty and his calling. But who will save Tommy's personal life? The firefighter recently divorced, leaving his three children with their mother. Unable to be away from his family, Tommy moves into the house across the street to take care of his ex-wife and kids.

The critically acclaimed drama, starring Denis Leary as an arrogant, manipulative alcoholic suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, won several awards, including an Emmy.

4. Bloods, 2021-2022

The stern, lonely paramedic Maleek runs an unpopular video blog and doesn't know what friendship is, but after his regular partner leaves, he must open up to the cheerful and sweet Wendy. At first this tandem seems hopeless, but later the odd duo begin to support each other as they try to win the respect of their colleagues.

This British medical comedy about friendship against all odds is a must see for all fans of light-hearted but wise comedies with typical English humor.

5. London's Burning, 1988-2002

London's Burning is based on the 1986 TV movie of the same name, written by Jack Rosenthal. The main characters are members of the London Fire Brigade working at a station in the Blackwall area. Each episode of the series shows the work of firefighters in emergency situations as realistically as possible.

Initially, London's Burning was similar in many ways to the original two-part film by Rosenthal, which was famous for its dark humor, social satire, and focus on the personal lives of firefighters. The show ran successfully for many years, but by the early 2000s, the humor had disappeared, replaced by reflections on the harsh realities of everyday life, leading to declining ratings and the show's cancellation in 2002.

6. Sirens, 2011

The British comedy series tells the story of a crazy team of paramedics. It consists of Moroccan immigrant Rachid, eccentric Ashley and informal leader Stuart. The guys constantly get into silly, hilarious, and sometimes tragic situations, but always find a way out. One of the main reasons to watch Sirens is Richard Madden, aka Robb Stark from Game of Thrones, in the role of Ashley.

Sirens got its American version in 2014, which ran for two years and moved the action to Chicago.

7. The First Responders, 2022-...

Jin Ho-gae is a seasoned investigator. He is reserved and ruthless with suspects, but knows how to navigate a crime scene and uncover the plans of criminals. Bong Do-jin is an ambitious fireman. He is cold to strangers, but always extremely polite to the victims of fires, and bravely rushes into the thick of things when called upon.

One day, fate brings Jin and Bong together with a charming paramedic named Song Seol, who not only saves lives, but also heals broken hearts. From that moment on, the three of them become a team working to solve various crimes.

The First Responders is a Korean drama that is one of the highest rated shows in its home country.

8. Third Watch, 1999-2005

A series about brave and dedicated people who work the third watch — from 3 to 11 pm — as police officers, paramedics and firefighters, and for whom the meaning of their daily work is to keep the streets safe and to help anyone who needs it. The police and paramedics in this friendly team know each other well, sometimes too well, because they work side by side in the harsh conditions of a big city.

The life of people doing the most difficult job is shown in the series as it is, with all the dangers, difficulties and hardships. And the pseudo-realistic style of filming makes the stories about first responders even more thrilling.

9. Rockface, 2002-2003

Mountain rescuers top the list of the most dangerous professions. Their difficult service is the subject of the British action series Rockface.

Episode after episode, the rescuers find themselves in the most extreme and risky situations. Sometimes it's hard to believe, but almost every episode of Rockface is based on real events that took place in the mountains.