Boston EMS: This Reality Series Doesn’t Disappoint

Ed's Note: ABC’s debut of "Boston EMS" on July 25 ranked No. 1 in the hour and was the night’s highest-rated series among adults 18-49. Here, EMS World contributor Sean Eddy shares his thoughts on the first episode. E-mail your opinions of the show to editor@emsworld.com.

The first episode of the anticipated “Boston EMS” TV show aired on July 25, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m really not one to watch TV. In fact, I don’t even subscribe to cable or satellite. However, I made sure I was planted in front of a TV for this premier as I saw a huge potential for some positive press around our industry. "Boston EMS" did not let me down.

The first five minutes were about what I expected from a “reality” TV show, but I quickly began to enjoy the personalities of the EMS providers the camera crews were following. I started laughing out loud when Sean Alexander was going on about how the “new guys” like their fancy GPS systems and how he “doesn’t need any of that,” all while passing the address and chuckling to himself while having to back up. I found humor in that because I’ve done the exact same thing and had to eat crow more than once.

The episode was filled with little moments that really show our imperfections, but in a positive way. I liked that the crews didn’t hold back things like the occasional curse word as they rolled up to see a horrific vehicle collision. It just made it real.  

As far as the call selection, the producers did a good job of showing what EMS actually does on a daily basis, rather than try to fill up the hour with severe trauma. I liked that they spent an equal amount of time focusing on the BLS units as they did the paramedics. It provided a realistic view of what Boston EMS does every day.

Randy Souza was my favorite paramedic. He seemed like he truly enjoys what he does, and I really liked his honesty. When his kids came to visit him at work, he was genuinely happy, but he wasn’t afraid to be honest about how home life with multiple kids can be a struggle. I thought it was pretty powerful when he admitted that his kids are his life, but sometimes he can’t wait to come to work and how taking care of critical patients can be easier than raising three children. While most people would think he’s crazy for saying that, I believe the majority of us in EMS know exactly how he feels and can relate.

If I have any gripes about the show, it’s that they could have spent some more time focusing on the crews and their back stories, rather than just rush from call to call. If nothing else, they could have used the first episode as an opportunity to get to know the EMS providers that they would be following for a season. I think they did a great job of picking crews to follow around. They represent their agency and EMS as a whole very well. I’m pleased with the show so far, and I’ll definitely be looking forward to the rest of the season.