Ep 3. Close to Home

Emergency Call is a compelling documentary-style TV show that premiered on ABC in September 2020. It is a show that features real-life emergency calls from people facing life-threatening situations. The show takes you inside the world of first responders and 9-1-1 call-takers. The first season of the show comprises ten episodes. In this description, we will explore season 1 episode 3, titled "Close to Home."

"Close to Home" is a truly intense episode of Emergency Call. It features the gripping stories of several 9-1-1 calls that are particularly close to home, with family and loved ones at the center of these emergencies. The episode starts with Angela, a mother on the line, calling for help after her husband suddenly collapses at home. She is alone with her three young children and is panic-stricken as she tries to perform CPR on her husband. The 9-1-1 dispatcher, Frankie, is poised, calm, and clear, guiding Angela through CPR until paramedics arrive. This call is particularly moving as it showcases the importance of CPR training and how it can save a life.

In another call featured in this episode, a mother calls in a 9-1-1- request for help when her teenage son, Austin, crashes his car on the way to a baseball game. The dispatcher, Ally, does an excellent job of keeping calm while trying to ascertain the boy's condition and whereabouts. The conversation between the dispatcher and the mother is very emotional, as the mom desperately wants assurance that her son is okay. When paramedics finally locate Austin, Ally helps the mother stay calm as she is overjoyed to see her son alive and well.

Another call comes in from a mother whose child has been bitten by a snake at their home. The mother is terrified and doesn't know what to do. The 9-1-1 dispatcher, Josh, remains calm and measured as he quickly assesses the situation and diagnoses the type of snake bite. He instructs the mother on how to assist her child while waiting for the paramedics to arrive.

The final story in this episode centers around a man who falls from a roof and is unable to move. The 9-1-1 call begins with the man's partner calling for help. The dispatcher, Ally, tries to keep the partner calm as she explains that they need to wait until paramedics arrive to move the man. However, the partner decides to move the man before the paramedics arrive, and the situation becomes dire. As the man becomes less responsive, and his partner becomes more and more panicked, the importance of staying calm and waiting for professional help becomes evident.

Throughout the episode, the 9-1-1 dispatchers remain calm and focused, providing the callers with clear and concise instructions to help them navigate through their emergencies. The first responders who arrive at the scenes are quick to assess the situation and provide the necessary medical assistance. The show gives us a rare insight into emergency services and how they make the difference between life and death.

In conclusion, "Close to Home" is an episode of Emergency Call that grips the viewer's attention with its emotional and raw stories of panic and desperation. It highlights the importance of staying calm, prepared, and vigilant during adverse situations. Emergency Call is an impressive show that shows the hard work and dedication of first responders, and we can't wait to see what they have in store for us in future episodes.