LA Fire & Rescue Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Angels in the Sky
We continue to gain a deeper understanding of the various dynamics within the LACoFD with LA Fire & Rescue Season 1 Episode 4, “Angels in the Sky.” There are many ways that people can rely on the LACoFD, which we discover with the introduction of the LA County Air Ops team.
This new view on LA County emergencies gives us the opportunity to see how bigger fires can be aided from above. This new angle gives the docuseries even further authority in the slew of first responder content currently available.
By expanding on the human nature stories of these fire stations and introducing the angels in the sky, this series is becoming more and more intriguing by the episode.
Eye in the Sky
For years we have seen evidence on the news about planes and helicopters that assist with major wildfires and the like. However, there isn’t much information given about the guys who pilot those planes or all the work they can actually accomplish as first responders.
In Los Angeles County the Air Ops teams can provide a variety of aid services to the firefighters on the ground. Whether it is water drops or medical transport, these guys are holding just as many lives in their hands as the men on the trucks.
While this episode only truly shows them helping out with a brush fire, the Crew Chiefs mention a few other ops they participate in which opens our minds. They help in trauma situations and fire situations in equal measure which makes them equal to the firefighters.
One of the most interesting things LA Fire & Rescue points out about these missions involves the pilots themselves. Sure, the guys in the back of the helicopters are the ones jumping down to help with fire and retrieve patients, but they’re not able to do their jobs without the pilots.
There has to be a plan in place, with water dropping, in case one of the multiple helicopters that responds misses the target and instead of helping makes the situation slightly worse. With the air ops team, their response truly is in the moment and could turn a situation on a dime if they aren’t careful.
Somehow, it feels like these guys find themselves in higher-pressure situations than the guys on the ground.
The episode mentions that helicopters can be helpful with hoist recovery which would be cool to witness if the docuseries has the opportunity. Sure, that sort of incident isn’t one we want to have happen, but it’s a type of first response viewers aren’t used to seeing much of or learning much about.
Scuoler and Lomeli Put Their Hearts First
As mentioned in the LA Fire & Rescue Season 1 Episode 2, “Boots on the Ground,” review diving into the personal side of these firefighters’ stories gives the episodes themselves more depth. Luckily for the viewers, “Angels in the Sky” expands on those stories even further.
We already feel for Paco Lomeli due to learning his divorce story during LA Fire & Rescue Season 1 Episode 3, “The Real Baywatch.” So, when this episode shows us more about how he takes kids from the neighborhood under his wing of influence, our hearts grow even more.
Lomeli grew up without a father figure in his life, and he knows how much the fire service has helped keep him on the right path. So, when younger kids of single-parent households come by the firehouse, he tries to listen to them and set them straight with their school work and at-home responsibilities.
It makes Lomeli that much stronger of a firefighter because it shows he puts his heart before anything when interacting with the community. He wants to ensure every call he goes on gets the extra mile from him.
On the other side of things is Scuoler who has a huge heart and works her best to ensure their patients get only her top performance no matter the situation or call. She is newer blood than Lomeli, but she proves that from the probationary to the more experienced the firefighters of LACoFD all work their hardest to be a reassuring face during people’s worst moments.
It’s fascinating to see Scuoler go through her final months as a probationary firefighter and then get her black shield showing that she’s a full member. What’s even better is the words that all her fellow firefighters have to say about her performance as a boot and how much she changed their opinions of having her there.
After all, Station 41 is the busiest house in the county and she never once pulled away from their ability to perform their jobs. Her work ethic only added more to the team’s efficiency capabilities.
It’s great to see that camaraderie happens between these guys because it helps viewers to see these firefighters as people outside of their duties while wearing the uniform.
What did you think of this episode of LA Fire & Rescue? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
LA Fire & Rescue airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
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.