9-1-1 

Operator: 9-1-1, what’s your emergency?

Me: Something is….

Operator: Hang tight….help is on the way.

Me: tup tup. (Call is ended prematurely)

For you, things might be done this way

And to others, not so much like that.

We all look forward to that win where you get the urgent help you need

Whether we did something foolish or intentionally were rushing for something and got ourselves in some kind of situation or we simply need somebody to talk us down from doing something crazy

This is where shows like the 9-1-1 show on FOX come in!

It centres on a section of the 118 unit of the Los Angeles Fire Department or what Buck famously refers to as the LAFD.

And the great works of bravery, valor, tenacity, creativity, team-work, patience, sacrifice and passion of the firefighters there in each and every single episode or call for help we get to see

The station is led by Captain Nash

Who has had his fair share of troubles and guilt from his past life as a firefighter back in Minnesota…. Remember him from The Catch?

Deputized by Hen who has always stood by her word and belief of being a life-saver in her community

Also deputized by Chimney who originally didn’t picture himself saving peoples’ lives until that one time in the dive-bar that it fully dawned on him

Further deputized by Eddie who joined the team with a much needed experience of combat-medical training and work

Lastly, comes in Buck, the youngest and newest on the team who gets transferred here as a result of taking up the place of ….who got transferred on Captain Nash’s word…. (remember him from Into The Badlands)?

On every single occasion, you will notice Sergeant Athena come in as boots-on-the-ground assisting out the team and individuals on it with anything they might need

And of course, how can we forget the team at the call-centre that transfers and relays the calls for help to the 118 and the other fire-fighting teams?

At the 118, there have been traditions….good and bad alike

But I prefer the good to the bad

For example, the ones that Captain Nash has brought on board….eating together as a team every single day, talking with each or one another at intimate levels, keeping an eye on your colleague beyond working hours, prioritizing compassion and kindness in every single mission off and on the field, celebrating each and every single moment of happiness together as a team

If you are asking about the bad ones, I will fill you in as well….leaving all the child-nurturing and comforting duties off and on the field to Hen since “she’s a woman”, having Chimney clean out all the floors, hoses and the tables all by himself after every single shift and meal at the precinct, leaving Chimney behind simply because “he is Asian and is too short” for the tasks at hand….

If there is anything this show has taught me, it is to always live my life the best possible way that I can without fear, hesitation or favour

Without leaving regrets behind

That is not to say, though, that you break down every single bridge you have built

And most of all, be grateful for what I have and grow stronger in love….for self and for neighbor and for any significant other

To quote Sergeant Athena, “Our lives are shaped not just by our experiences but by relationships…who we love, who loves us and the stronger those ties are, the less awful everything else seems”.

~ What’s your emergency? Hello? ~