First in is a brand new show on BET (Black Entertainment Television). It premiered on Wed. Sept. 30th. I have just gotten a chance to sit down and watch episode 1 and 2. Apparently they played two videos that night. Luckily for me BET has added the full videos on their website ( I embedded the videos below). What is additionally great is that they have removed all the commercials and merely added in two 30 second commercials per episode.
First in is based on the Compton Fire Department and is narrated by Tyrese Gibson. As best as I can tell, Compton FD does EMS also, but they have an interesting make-up of firefighters and “ambulance operators”. The ambulance operators work in the station but they are not firefighters. I don’t have a clue who is a Paramedic and who isn’t, they don’t give any information on who is certified in what.
“First In” is a documentary, or maybe even more clearly a docu-drama. These are real firefighters, real calls, real lives, and decent editing!
Episode 1 opens with an EMS Call DOA (gunshot if I remember correctly), an overdose with a combative patient, a car fire, then a plane crash. I am certain that these calls probably did not happen in exact succession nor did they happen all in the same day. I could be wrong though. The main characters detailed below are stationed at Station 3 which is also the Training Center. The City of Compton has 4 fire stations, a population of 100,000 and 75 known active gangs.
Today the Fire Department has 84 sworn employees and five civilian employees. Its resources include four fire stations and nine front-line emergency vehicles comprised of four fire engines, one truck, two paramedic squads, and two basic life support transport ambulances. (ComptonCity.org)
My first impression after watching the first two episodes is that we have a quality show. The camera operators ride in the rigs giving you a great view of all aspects of our jobs. The on scene interviews give introspect on what is going on (for those of us who don’t already know). The firefighters are respectful of the citizens and operate as I would imagine all of us would if we had cameras following us around.
The show is not riddled with house fire after house fire after house fire. The show actually shows EMS calls, vehicle accidents, car fires, a plane into a house, station life, training, and even the recruit process. I believe the show has a great balance of what is going on in FD’s across the States. The editing isn’t over the top, the show does a great job of giving the public a view of what we go through on a day to day basis.
What I didn’t like was how the show brought in some family life but didn’t go into too much depth. I am not saying I want more depth, but if you are going to do it you need to do more. However, there is only so much you can show in 30 minutes.
It seems as though the show actually follows accidents throughout the entire City and not just ones for Station 3. That is fine, but it almost hints at station 3 apparatus being added to calls just so some of the main characters end up on scene for the show. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, unless it is undue response while leaving other areas uncovered while they accommodate for the show…but that is me being VERY picky.
Think of this show like a Cops version of firefighting. Maybe even Trauma Life in the ER for firefighters…given they show more character of the nurses and doctors, something that Cops shies away from besides in car interviews.The show is not too different than the show “The Bravest” ( I believe that was the title) which chronicled the day to day operations of FD’s.
I give First In a thumbs up and I plan on checking in on the entire 10 episode season. Let me know what you thought in the comments. I tried to find some other reviews of the show, but didn’t have much luck. It seems as though the premiere of “Trauma” wore everyone out.
The main cast of the show is below:
Marcel Melanson – Battalion Chief – a 12 year veteran of the service. The show bills him as one of the youngest BC’s in the Nation. I concur.
Jerome Goodall – Ambulance Driver – Trying to get on as a firefighter.
Shon Halverson – Firefighter -Billed as the quintessential firefighter.
Danny Salazar – Firefighter -Apparently he is the rebel.
Marcus Wilson – Probationary Firefighter – Trying to earn respect.
There are plenty of other firefighters on the show, they just don’t go into detail on them. All in all it seems like a pretty decent crew out there in Compton.
Click (more…) below to watch episode 1 and 2 (I had to do this because the episodes start instantly) Simply pause the episode you don’t want to watch right away.
Episode 1
Episode 2
THIS IS FLIPPING AWESOME!!!
THIS IS FLIPPING AWESOME!!!
This show ROCKS, in your face reality, what can I say, ive been doing this for 26yrs, and this is the BOMB BABY!!!!! Don’t cancel it!!
This show ROCKS, in your face reality, what can I say, ive been doing this for 26yrs, and this is the BOMB BABY!!!!! Don’t cancel it!!
I want to work with Compton fire! REAL HEROS!!!
I have always wanted to be in a joke volunteer dept
I want to work with Compton fire! REAL HEROS!!!
I have always wanted to be in a joke volunteer dept
No mention of paramedics, typical. Even the “ambulance operater” whatever the hell that is gets props. However, the guys who actually do pt care get no mention. This department looks like they do alot of ems work not one ff mentioned he was a medic. I guess I should at least be impressed that the ambo got a company for the overdose. The next time the producer of this show has an emergency or has a friend or family member who has a life threatening emergency would he like to see a firefighter or a paramedic .Firefighters are important but no more or no less then paramedics.
wow some one got but hurt….if you dont like it dont watch, no one has a gun to your head. here is another chick with a complex
I know this is super late but i dont care. In Southern California, the Paramedics ARE Firefighters. If you’re a paramedic that got hired with a fire dept… you get trained as a FIREFIGHER and your title becomes Firefighter/Paramedic. I became a paramedic MAINLY to get hired as a firefighter! and i’m loving it.
No mention of paramedics, typical. Even the “ambulance operater” whatever the hell that is gets props. However, the guys who actually do pt care get no mention. This department looks like they do alot of ems work not one ff mentioned he was a medic. I guess I should at least be impressed that the ambo got a company for the overdose. The next time the producer of this show has an emergency or has a friend or family member who has a life threatening emergency would he like to see a firefighter or a paramedic .Firefighters are important but no more or no less then paramedics.
Wondering if there will be a 2nd season?