Meet the Real-Life Heroes from NBC's LA Fire & Rescue

If you thought the inhabitants of Chicago Fire's 51 house were brave, wait until you meet the real-life firefighters from NBC's new docuseries, LA Fire & Rescue. For the unfamiliar, the new series — which premieres Wednesday, June 21 at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock — takes viewers behind-the-scenes of the real people who save lives and put out fires for the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

As we say in our official description of the show, LA Fire & Rescue will give you  "unprecedented access to the inner workings of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Responsible for protecting the lives and property of 4 million residents living in 59 cities across Los Angeles County, the LACoFD’s 2,300 square miles of service is unlike any other in the United States. From helicopter mountain rescues and lifeguard beach SOS, to fireboats, hazmat units and California’s raging wildfires, the department does it all. The series documents real calls and real drama while giving faces to the passionate firefighters who risk their lives in the name of service. These real-life heroes and their compelling stories are told alongside the unpredictable dangers they face on the front lines of life and death." 

Let's talk a little bit about that last part. If you watch even just a few minutes of LA Fire & Rescue, you'll fall in love with the firefighters, medics, and captains it highlights. The crew on Chicago Fire is lovable and funny one moment and displaying fierce courage the next — and that's exactly what you'll see from these real humans on LA Fire & Rescue. Much like 51, the firehouses on LA Fire & Rescue operate as family units with their own dynamics and dramas. Ultimately, however, there's a love and respect the heroes have for each other that keeps the wheels turning — and the fires extinguished. 

Below, get to know some of the people whose lives and jobs you'll be following on LA Fire & Rescue. 

LA Fire & Rescue cast 

(We use the term "cast" loosely because remember, these are IRL firefighters!) 

Station 8 (West Hollywood)

From Station 8 you'll meet Captains Mike Carolan and Roy Ortiz, who were both born into firefighter families and lead their teams with the guiding principles of service and brotherhood. One emotional way you'll see this unfold is when the squad rallies together to support fellow firefighter and cancer survivor, Dave Castellanos.  

Station 16 (Watts)

Station 16 is a family affair where tenured Captain Dan Olivas leads with heart. He's the father figure to his squad, so it's only fitting his actual son, Jeff Olivas (firefighter/paramedic), is a part of the LACoFD. 

And there's more sentimentality in Station 16, as well. We have grade school friends Tony Huynh (engineer) and Paco Lomeli (firefighter/paramedic), who routinely go above and beyond the call of duty for their community. And viewers will adore firefighter Erik Gunn, a South L.A. native who knows the community he serves like the back of his hand. 

Station 37 (Palmdale)

It's fitting that one of the most beloved and historic firehouses in Los Angeles has one of the most dynamic crews. Captains Stan Maloof and Eric Tumbarelloare lead the crew here, and both are trying to strike a balance with their family lives and responsibilities at the firehouse. There's also Stan, the son of a LACoFD fire captain who left a steady career in finance and now has a lot to prove to his co-workers. And wait until you meet Eric, who has finally made peace with his turbulent past and is happier than ever with his blended family.   

Station 41 (Compton)

As one of the busiest fire stations in L.A., Captain Scott Woods has his hands full. However, he always gets the job done with skill and aplomb, and he's an inspiration and mentor to the younger firefighters, including Erin Scuoler (Boot) and Alex Castorena (firefighter/paramedic).   

Station 101 (Claremont)

The beating heart of Station 101 is Siene Freeman, a wife and mother of two young kids who never gave up on her lifelong dream of being a firefighter (she's also a paramedic!). Always wanting to help those around her, she’s continued to prove that she belongs in this field. However, like Captains Stan Maloof and Eric Tumbarelloare, she's trying to find a work-life balance to be both the best mom and firefighter she can be. 

Station 125 (Calabasas)

One of the most luxurious and stunning parts of Los Angeles (and also home to the Kardashians!) also happens to have a trailblazing firefighting team.  As the 15^th female ever hired by LACoFD, Capt. Sheila Kelliher is literally breaking new ground and has a passion for teaching new recruits to be their best in the field. Wait until you meet her! 

Station 172 (Inglewood)

This group of firefighters brings the best energy to the town. They pride themselves on being one of the most diverse stations as they serve as role models to their community. Captains Chris Davis and Kevin Grayson are proud veterans who fell in love with firefighting after serving in the Marines and Army, respectively.   

Air Operations

Captains Johnny Gray III and Dave Baumann  are our "Angels in the Sky" who are accustomed to high-stakes distress calls and only respond to the most urgent patients and hard-to-reach locations. Rest assured that when they're working, your heart will be beating fast! 

Lifeguard

Fun fact: The L.A. County Fire Department Lifeguard Division is the largest professional lifeguard service in the world. That said, the folks who run it are a tight-knit group, and they're determined to uphold its reputation while also enjoying the scenic benefits of the job. Leading the charge for LA Fire & Rescue are Captains John Zimpelman and Kyle Powers, who turned their passion for water sports into lifeguarding careers. Both aim to be models for those on their teams and also their children at home — which, again, is a balancing act.