LA Fire & Rescue Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Boots on the Ground
After a premiere that does little to set the docuseries apart from similar content, LA Fire & Rescue Season 1 Episode 2, “Boots on the Ground,” does a great job breaking free. This episode finally pushes the show toward relatably unique content that draws everyone in from moment to moment.
We get to meet a few new firehouses, but that isn’t even the best part of what this episode offers us. It’s the juxtaposition of Captain Olivas and his son, Jeff — who is currently in the academy, and Captain Woods with Probationary Firefighter Scouler.
These two elder firefighters and fresh-faced recruits are the perfect way for this docuseries to show the magic and love that comes with being a firefighter. Whether you are young or old, being a firefighter is a chance to learn and set yourself apart.
Station 16 – The Olivas Family
We have mentioned before that meeting the firefighters outside of their professional setting sets the stage for us to care about their journey on the job.
That sentiment is expanded upon during “Boots on the Ground” when Captain Olivas’ son, Jeff, makes an impromptu visit to the firehouse and shows the guys what he’s made of. Olivas mentions that he’s proud that his sons have decided to follow in his footsteps — especially as he gets closer to retirement age.
There is a level of pride shown in Olivas’ eyes as he talks about the reputation his son has earned on his own at the academy. You get the sense that for these guys being a firefighter is a family birthright — in fact, there seems to be the understanding that many firefighters on the job have it in their blood.
Giving us this extra layer to Captain Olivas, who we’ve already started to have a soft spot for because of how he treats his guys, encourages viewers to go head over heels for this man. We believe in him because we can see that he is the same with his work and home family — there aren’t two sides to him.
Olivas has been on the job for 34 years, and yet he still loves his job to the point of tearing up just talking about that day — in the near future — when he leaves the firehouse for the last time.
Dedication like that is what makes these individuals worth caring about. We end up holding our breath when we see them go into big fire calls because we want them to always be okay.
Station 41 – Seasoned Captain vs. Eager Boot
On LA Fire & Rescue Season 1 Episode 2, “Boots on the Ground,” we are introduced to LACoFD’s busiest house, Station 41, which resides over South LA and Compton. This firehouse has one of the few Boots currently in the department, Probationary Firefighter Erin Scouler.
Captain Woods takes the time to show both Scouler and viewers how firefighters can do their job and still be compassionate toward all the people they serve and protect — even if the patient is the one causing harm to others. It shows that he is both seasoned and unjaded by his years on the job.
One of the most impactful moments between Scouler and Woods is when they help the LA Sheriff talk down a woman threatening to harm herself with a knife. Scouler goes along with Woods as he gets closer and convinces the woman to drop the knife and think beyond that moment to the many good days ahead of her.
It’s the perfect teaching moment, which Woods takes advantage of. This shows that he isn’t one of those Captains who is all ego and no passion.
Woods takes the time to show, as he puts it, newer firefighters how to take their experiences and apply them to what they can do in similar future situations. That is the mark of a great leader, educator, and captain — something that you definitely don’t expect to see much of at the busiest house in the whole county.
Scouler’s open mind and eagerness to learn shows that some of these firefighters come on the job ready to do anything and everything so they can learn and be the best helpers in their communities. She never complains, not even when she’s faced with a 26-call day that also includes all the chores back at the station.
Beyond Firefighting
What these two beautiful stories of seasoned veterans versus eager new recruits teach us is that no one is above learning and growing. What sets Captains Olivas and Woods apart from their peers is their willingness to stay in the trenches with their team and ensure they learn from their experiences.
Olivas even tells us that he’s been up for promotions before, but he turns them down because he wants to stay in the house and continue to teach the new guys below him. Woods is much of the same; he believes that you can have experiences, but if you don’t learn what to take out of those experiences, they aren’t any good to you.
The next generation of firefighters, such as Jeff and Scouler, are blessed to be educated and mentored by men as kind, compassionate, and hands-on as Olivas and Woods. It isn’t just the new recruits that should be looking to their mentors, their mentors should also be willing to look to them to learn as well.
Stray Thoughts:
- One of the most memorable quotes from this episode is one from Captain Woods, “You learn how to be a firefighter from other firefighters. When you start taking the heat that’s your true test.”
What did you think of this episode of LA Fire & Rescue? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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LA Fire & Rescue airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
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Mads Misasi
Mads is a part-time entertainment journalist and full-time marketing content creator. They love any and all TV Dramas with a few sitcoms mixed in. Join in the fun talking about TV by following them on Twitter: @dorothynyc89.