I could start this movie review with the word FINALLY. We FINALLY got a movie that shows that all first responders (fire, police, EMS, etc.) are vulnerable or, as we say, bloody under the skin.
I have been in the EMS system for more than ten years. I was involved in more than 6,000 interventions just in the field of regular EMS. I did not count other interventions, where I was working (and still active) as a volunteer firefighter in my hometown volunteer fire department, where primary fires are in the minority. Primarily, we respond to motor vehicle accidents and other significant technical interventions.
When you respond to a call involving a child, or you are witness to a major trauma, you start to have wounds in your soul. It only depends on how fast you will begin to heal those wounds. The fact is that scars will stay there; only the healing will be faster and easier if we find the correct help.
The main character's story in "Fighting the Fire", can hit anybody in the first line of duty. There is no difference in which service you work because sooner or later, you will encounter that day when a child's life, or a different hard case, will be in your hands. I think the story in this movie cannot be a better example of PTSD, depression, and other diagnoses connected with a specific work environment (saving lives). As a viewer, you are guided through all the psychological experiences of the main character (nightmares, death of relatives, denial of the problem, alcoholism, troubles in the family, self-confession, and beginning of treatment).
Over the years, there have been a lot of different fire/EMS, police, and hospital/ER movies and series in the media, which were too Hollywood- colored and unrealistic for us who work in this environment because we know too well what "REAL" means. Based on these Hollywood movies and series, many people wanted to work as first responders. After that, many quickly learned what "the real deal" meant.
"Fighting the Fire" is finally the first real movie dedicated to us and reminds us that we are not alone. Beside us, we will always have our faith, colleagues, and, most importantly, our family. This movie will help many first responders worldwide in a similar position/struggle as the main character, Brian Cook, getting to the point where they will say, "I need help."
