My first firefighter crush was on John Gage (Randolph Mantooth) on the TV show Emergency! I was in elementary school. Ever since, I’ve had to check out TV shows with firefighters.

One of my favorites was Third Watch, especially in the wake of 9-11, where the characters would head to the rubble of the WTC after their shift. That was really intense and heart-breaking, but so cathartic to watch.

Then came Rescue Me, which my husband loved but I loathed. I didn’t find one character I could root for. Not one of them was heroic, which my husband said was the point–they were just regular guys doing a hard job. But they spoiled my ideal of the firefighter, which I am convinced is more the truth than that show would have me believe.

Now I’m loving Chicago Fire. That show has its share of firefighters making bad decisions (CRUZ!) but there are redeeming moments and characters you can root for, and a hottie or two. I love the overarching storylines, like Casey’s problems with the cop. My favorite character is Christopher, the down-on-his-luck firefighter who has so many money problems. He makes the show for me.

I love my fictionalized firefighters, because they remind me of the dangers these brave men and women face every day.

What about you? Do you have a favorite TV or movie firefighter? What about in books? How flawed can a character be before you can no longer root for him?

BIO: MJ Fredrick’s first two books were about firefighters: Where There’s Smoke is about a city firefighter who falls for his best friend, and Hot Shot is about a wildfire fighter who falls for the reporter who wants to make him out to be a hero when he sees himself as anything but.