Obsessed with ‘Station 19’? Here Are 10 Shows That’ll Set Your Screen on Fire!

For seven seasons and just over 100 episodes, fans tuned in to see what obstacles the crew of Seattle’s Station 19 would face, from dangerous and terrifying fires to brutal personal issues, especially their complicated relationships with each other. It premiered in 2018 and came to an end in 2024, although fans have been campaigning to save Station 19. It was the second spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy, also set in Seattle, and was part of Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland shows.

While the crew of Station 19 may have answered their final call, plenty of other shows offer the same high stakes and turmoil. Some of television’s biggest names have turned to the dangerous yet heroic work of firefighting for ideas for new shows, including both scripted and reality, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a profession and world that presents great opportunities for storytelling, and these shows have made the most of them.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005–)

Created by Shonda Rhimes

Long-running ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy follows the staff of fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle as they balance their careers with their tumultuous personal lives, with a focus on main character Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). It premiered in 2005, with 21 seasons and over 400 episodes having aired, and even more to come. One of its episodes served as a backdoor pilot for Station 19, and some characters who originated on Grey’s Anatomy later appeared on Station 19.

Grey’s Anatomy, created by Rhimes, is an obvious starting point for Station 19 fans looking for a new binge-watch, even though the two shows are pretty different. While they both deal with the intersection of characters’ personal and professional lives, Grey’s Anatomy focuses on the medical profession rather than firefighting, although the two shows often crossed over, with plot lines which began on one show being wrapped up in the other.

‘Tacoma FD’ (2019–2024)

Created by Kevin Heffernan and Steve Lemme

The firefighters of comedy Tacoma FD didn’t do much firefighting in one of the country’s rainiest cities. With few fires to fight, the crew of Tacoma’s fire department often had to fight their own boredom instead, turning to friendly rivalries and competitions. When they did do actual work, they had to handle other less heroic tasks or respond to strange emergency calls. The show premiered in 2019 and lasted four seasons on truTV.

Sometimes, the best shows about series situations are the ones that poke fun at them. Similar to comedies like Scrubs and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Tacoma FD presented a more lighthearted look at the firefighting profession, presenting a bit of a change of pace but similar subject matter for fans of dramatic procedurals. The show also made great use of “Hot Blooded” by classic-rock band Foreigner for its opening theme. Despite not being well-known, it was well-liked.

‘Cal Fire’ (2020)

Created by Discovery Channel

The country’s largest emergency force worked to battle dangerous fires in the Discovery reality series Cal Fire. The series tackled not only the physical work of firefighting but also bureaucratic challenges, which made the job more difficult, including budget issues leading to a lack of personnel, which made the work that much more exhausting and difficult. In addition to footage of the fires, the show also featured interviews with the crews. It ran for one season in 2020.

The world of firefighting was a natural choice for Discovery, and Cal Fire was a great series documenting all aspects of the job. The interview segments provided additional context for the issues the team faced, making it easier for audiences to understand and sympathize. The show’s footage was both beautiful and devastating—it featured gorgeous shots of California’s forests, along with scenes of fire tearing through them, helping put it in perspective.

‘LA Fire & Rescue’ (2023)

Created by Dick Wolf

Executive producer Dick Wolf, known for creating the Law & Order franchise, created reality series LA Fire & Rescue, which documented the work of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, tasked with protecting the four million residents in 59 cities across Los Angeles County. The series depicted crews’ work in situations from everyday car accidents to major natural disasters and everything in between. Like fictional shows, the series also depicted the firefighters’ personal lives.

Fictional series do a great job of depicting the harrowing work of firefighters, but there’s nothing like the real thing. LA Fire & Rescue was a fascinating and intense look at the actual day-to-day jobs of emergency personnel. And it’s no surprise the series came from Wolf, who’s explored the worlds of firefighting, law enforcement, and more in his fictional worlds. While the series predated recent high-profile wildfires, it holds up as a sobering reminder of those working to keep such fires at bay.

‘Third Watch’ (1999–2005)

Created by Edward Allen Bernero and John Wells

The police, EMTs and firefighters of New York City all worked together to save lives during the brutal night shift of 3-11 p.m. in the city’s fictional 55th Precinct in Third Watch, where the police station and firehouse were situated across from each other on the corner of King and Arthur, earning them the nickname “Camelot.” The show lasted six seasons, from 1999 until 2005, with over 100 episodes, including a crossover with hit medical drama ER.

Because it followed all emergency personnel, Third Watch is the most similar to the 9-1-1 franchise, but that also means there’s plenty for Station 19 fans to enjoy, as well. The show wasted no time introducing viewers to its characters and their work, and it tackled some brutal emergencies in its time. Most notably, it spent a few episodes depicting the events and aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which also featured actual first responders and their families.

‘Under Fire’ (2021)

Created by Bert Van Dael and Sanne Nuyens

In addition to the existing challenges of working as firefighters, the team of East Bank Station also had to contend with leadership changes in the Belgian series Under Fire, also known as Onder Vuur. When their lieutenant accepted a promotion to captain, someone new took over his position, and they struggled to accept her—they often butted heads or directly disobeyed her orders. Also among the changes was an attempt to rehab the station’s public image.

Under Fire and Station 19 both addressed the camaraderie between firefighters, as well as their differences and disagreements—it explored the downside of the team’s unwavering loyalty to their previous lieutenant. On top of being a compelling series, it was also beautifully shot, with a cinematic look to it and heart-pounding rescue scenes which were more harrowing than those seen in a typical rescue show. All together, it made for a great firefighter series packed with gritty realism.

‘9-1-1: Lone Star’ (2020–2025)

Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear

9-1-1 spin-off 9-1-1: Lone Star followed Owen (Rob Lowe), a former New York firefighter who relocated to Austin, Texas, with his son, where he faced challenges both at work and at home. The show premiered in 2020 and ran for five seasons before coming to an end in early 2025. The 9-1-1 franchise lives on with not only the flagship show but an upcoming spin-off based in Nashville, and all were created by Ryan Murphy.

Like 9-1-1, Lone Star featured some pretty over-the-top emergencies, including some heartbreaking episodes—there was never a dull moment—whereas Station 19 was smaller and more believable in scope. Rather than centering around an ensemble cast, and it did have some great characters, Lone Star focused on Owen, who had plenty of baggage of his own. And like Station 19, it featured a parent-child dynamic as part of the station.

‘Rescue Me’ (2004–2011)

Created by Denis Leary and Peter Tolan

Comedy-drama Rescue Me told the stories of New York City firefighters in the years after 9/11, specifically Tommy (Dennis Leary) and his own personal problems. On top of struggling with alcoholism, Tommy was haunted, quite literally, by those who died in the attacks, including his cousin, and was recently separated from his wife but still lived across the street from her. Leary was also the series’ co-creator. It ran for seven seasons.

With the setting of post-9/11 New York, Rescue Me addressed subjects like PTSD and survivors’ guilt, and it was known for the characters’ use of dark humor as a coping mechanism. Tommy was a complicated character—while his actions as a firefighter were often heroic, he was often a horrible person in his personal life. As a result, some episodes featuring the worst of Tommy’s behavior were particularly controversial.

‘Chicago Fire’ (2012–)

Created by Michael Brandt and Derek Haas

Chicago Fire, the first of NBC’s One Chicago series of shows, follows the crew of Chicago’s fictional Firehouse 51 in both their professional and personal lives. The series premiered in 2012 and has been renewed through Season 13. Its executive producer is Dick Wolf, known for creating the Law & Order franchise and reality series LA Fire and Rescue. The One Chicago franchise itself has expanded to include three spin-offs, two of which are still on the air.

Thirteen seasons is plenty of time for some intense calls and heavy subject matter, and Chicago Fire has delivered, with plenty of interpersonal drama to go along with them. It explores the toll the job can take, including the impact it has on the squad’s relationships with each other. It’s a compelling series with plenty of thrills and high-stakes emergencies where no one is safe, including some cliffhanger season finales, keeping audiences engaged.

‘Fire Country’ (2022–)

Created by Max Thieriot, Tony Phelan, and Joan Rater

Fire Country follows Bode Donovan (Max Thieriot), a convict who gets a chance at redemption and a reduced prison sentence when he’s given the opportunity to join a firefighting squad in California as part of a prison-release program. His assignment is complicated by the fact that he’s stationed in his hometown, forcing him to face his past. Three seasons have aired so far, and it has been renewed for Season 4.

Fire Country shares Station 19’s blend of harrowing fires with compelling characters and their struggles, but with a more rural setting and drama centered around family and small-town dynamics, inspired by creator Thieriot’s personal experience. Bode is a great character who’s easy to root for despite his flaws and troubled past. The show also features a great soundtrack of rock and country music, and as wildfires become more common and more dangerous, it’s as relevant as ever.