It has long been a goal of mine to see a movie or TV show about volunteer firefighters. In fact, about ten-years-ago a friend wrote a movie script based on some stories I told him and the experiences of another friend who is a volunteer. It was pitched to a few folks in the entertainment field but never got anywhere.
Now this comes along (posted on February 6) by comedian Juston McKinney about a fictional volunteer fire department in Effingwoods, New Hampshire. It includes Gary Valentine and Lenny Clarke (Rescue Me). The credits thank the Newfields Volunteer Fire Department.
I am curious to see the reaction of our readers. The comment line is open. Remember folks, it’s a comedy.
Also on STATter911 …
- Hosed – Episode 3 – February 17, 2011
- Getting Hosed? Not right now. An answer why. – March 15, 2011
- Hosed – Episode 4 – February 26, 2011
- Raw video: Small explosions at commercial building fire in Southington, Connecticut. – January 19, 2012
Comments
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That might be too close to reality to actually be funny. lol
Loved it. Funny. It would be hard to get a 1/2 hour tv show. But like to see someone give it a go. Like to see more.
I liked Lenny Clarke better when he was, uh, full figured. But Rake is right. I squirmed more than I laughed.
I heard they tried the pilot using paid guys but they couldn’t wake them up long enough to shoot a scene. But they all were 1st in line at the catering tent. Lazy Fat Bastidges (Don’t be mad guys, that was satirical too)
plus it was not in there UNION contract. lol
Spot on Chaps, Spot on.
Loved it! Something like this doesn’t have enough attraction for a TV series, nor does it necessarily portray the volunteer fire service in a good light unless your in the business and “get it.” Can’t wait for the next episode.
This is clearly inaccurate. Where are the No Fear and I Fight What You Fear shirts and bumperstickers?
I’m not positive but I think that’s a “co-ed naked firefighting find em hot leave em wet” shirt the second guy has on. Not that I would know just something I bought I mean was told about. Damn. Did I type that out loud?
Ha that was classic but where is the shot of the vollies vehicle idling out front with the siren still on wail while he is establishing command and investigating?
Sadly….this is more true than comedy….Volunteer fire service you get what you pay for!
Dave
i thought this was funny……..But why is it you made it a point to post this on TWD in the PG threads only?what is your hard on with the vollies there?And like i said it is funny as hell dont get me wrong.
I didn’t post anything on TWD. Haven’t for a while. But I do see that PGVOLCHIEF posted it, if that’s what you are talking about. Or is this just your subtle sense of humor?
Statter
ok i apoligize just this once it was not you i overlooked it.
Just this once it was not me? Are you just yanking my chain or are you serious? What negative stuff have I written about PG volunteers? Please enlighten me.
Statter
This was funny. I’ve heard some horror stories of some volunteer agencies but I can tell you my station is staffed 24/7 by numerous trained and better qualified paramedics and ff’s than some of our neighboring districts with paid staff. We staff 3 and 4 to engine. I know one neighboring career station that staffs 2 people on an engine.
Overall I believe we provide better service than our career partners. We have flight medics, nurses, doctors, career ff’s, etc.
Just saying
Your the exception.
Either way this would be a great TV show. “Scrubs” does’nt necessarily mean all doctors are idiots and “Reno 911″ does’nt mean all police officers are tight short wearing closet cases.
You know what the difference between this and the paid guys I work with? The guys I work with give out cards for there side jobs. Funny. I just hope nobody takes it too seriously.
Sorry Dave, this wasn`t very accurate. True jollie vollies will be very upsit with this scene. The first guy on scene didn`t scream into his radio with a sizeup and take command. Also, “after” the call was done, they didn`t stand around out in the road and “catch up” on kids, football, bowling, ect.
OK, ok…..Yes, it was funny as hell. Sad as hell too because I`ve witnessed this very scene more than once. At least they didn`t pull a tender into the yard and bury it up to the axles. Nobody ran a mailbox over because they were overly excited about “tones” then “bummed” when it was a “BS” false alarm.
Yes, there are more “professional” vollies than there are the “whackjobs”. It`s just that the “whackjobs” get all the “press” or are at least, the ones everyone sees. They don`t see the guys and gals that just do the job.
Funny. The best part of satire is that little bit of truth.
As both a vollie and a career fireman, This is a hoot! I feel sad for those that can’t take a joke and see the humor. Lighten up!
I nearly spit out my coffee. The really funny part of the sub-text is that there is an Effingham, NH. The New Hampshire accents could use a little work but otherwise, clever stuff.
Thought it was great. I started my career as a volunteer here in Maine very close to the New Hampshire border. This is meant to be a spoof on the portrayal of the volunteer firefighter and I thought it was very funny.
ok…this show will suck….I could see if they made a show about the serious volunteers and throw some comedy into it like the real world of firefighting….but straight up stupidity like this is uncalled for. Make a real show on volunteer firefighters, that actually has alot of firefighter action and accidents and less sex
Priceless!!! Change the title to “Call of Duty in Pennsyltucky” an I’ll watch every week! Theres plenty script material right here in Daves archives.
As a volunteer, I take a lot of offense to that video. My department is very professional, and that is far from the truth.
Where’s the guy from the Dept of Public works in the bright yellow t-shirt, sleeves cut off with the “Dragon Slayer” tattoo? Oh, guess he was on his way to the firehouse with the blue light on the dash of the dump truck but Smitty cancelled the engine. HA HA HA!
Funny stuff, been a volunteer for 25 years. I agree that it would never make it on TV, but hey keep em coming on the internet.
Pennsytukky…..why not MARYurcuznLAND. I think it resembled you south of the border inbredded paid department rejects a little more than up here. You guys really know how to toot your own horn, but hey, if nobody else gives a hoot about you, you might as well blow away. (That was just more satire, don’t be offended, just laugh at yourselves with the rest of us)
“MARYurcuznLAND” Love it! Next time I’m there I’ll use it!
I give this an A +++++++++++++++++
I wish we could all be as cool and knowledgeable as the career guys. I’m sure that they have thought that many of us vollies have served multiple tours in combat zones doing work that makes a raging house fire look like a Sunday crew dinner. The video is indeed funny. However, it also serves as a proxy for the elitist guys to act as though they invented the fire truck.
I’m so tired of the bad rep for volunteer departments. Last house fire we had, I was there in 4 minutes, two trucks with 3500 gallons in 6 minutes and water on the fire in 10 minutes. I’m a professional firefighter that doesn’t get paid. BTW the clip was funny.
Eh, two things wrong:
Light bars on the POV’s are too small/not enough lights.
No whacker standing on the “Q” switch from the minute they pull out of the station till they arrive. Could be a great show!
Lighten up Vollies!
The funny thing it’s always the volley verse paid comments…
My oh MY, grab a beer, put in your Fireporn(Backdraft & Ladder 49)if your old enough, and watch them and relax. “That was just more satire, don’t be offended, just laugh at yourself with the rest of us”
I am a vollie in PG. 18 years now my only question is why can we have home response?
Well, the cops have Reno911….the IAFF has Hosed. LOL
I have a question, 18 yrs in the fire service, and you don’t know why you don’t have home response?.I guess you need to read a book at some point in time and find the answer yourself.
By the way, nice video. Why some people choose to take these video clips so personal is beyond me. It clearly states “For Satirical Purposes ONLY”.
You sure that’s not a documentary?
sj
I started as a volunteer and went career and yes im sure there are some volunteer fire departments that are really unorganized and not well trained. Same goes for the paid departments though just because ur paid doesnt automatically make you better. There are volunteer departments that take it seriously and are well trained and know what theyre doing. So the people on here who said you get what you pay for are ignorant. However that being said yes the actual video is funny remember people its a comedy. Rescue me doesnt exactly portray most firefighters as awesome people either with the drinking and drug issues but we do the job we know how we really are. Its meant to be funny the general public with or without these shows has very little idea of what the job really involves.
Hilarious..except for the fact that locally here 70% of the time this is what happens – 6 Chiefs on scene – engine doesn’t get out.Then Chief radios to “hold in quarters” which is WHERE THEY ARE BECAUSE THEY SCRATCHED. But they’ll get credit for an alarm. Accurate depiction of some Chiefs as well- elected because he won a pie eating contest.
No way it was accurate, if they were really protraying Vollies, they would have lightbars bigger then their vehicles. Let’s not forget about denim jackets with all the different rescue endorsements.
Im not sure whats funnier, the video its self or the comment war going on under it.
Funny stuff. lol…Chiefgarymac is on spot….The most popular guy or gal is chief. Some vollie depts are sharp and well trained….most are not! Thanks to all vollies anyway!!!
It is said that in order for something to be funny, there must be a little truth to it. There is plenty of truth in what I just watched! This is hillarious and I hope it airs soon.
Go Voluntards!!!!!!
I loved this! Comedy is a great way to attract public attention and educate. Satire is a great way to expose things for what they really are! I hope many mopre episodes are made. The writer / producer(S) really seem to understand this situation for what it is (and in many cases it is even more ridiculous than this).
I love it.
The sad fact remains that most volunteers are like these clowns, or worse. What, no drinking and responding to alarms? Maybe in the next episode. Instant hero’s, just sign up and start wearing t shirts…..no need to ever respond to an alarm. Indeed you get what you pay for.
The sad fact is that there is no way you can back up a word of what you just said. Our department hasn't missed an alarm in years and has never "gotten drunk" and ran a call.
I find this video totally in bad taste,,,,Yes, there is such a thing as satire,,,but some things,,,,well, you just should not go to and make light of,,,especially after 9/11, the Charleston 9 and Black Sunday,,,,bad, bad, bad. VFD are the majority of this countries firefighters,,,,my son is paid, but most do it for the passion to help their community.
Maybe you ought to use the doctors or even Washington, DC to make your next attempt @ fame,,,,bad choice, sir.
You should be ashamed!!!