RTÉ’s autumn schedule is heating up with new series’ ‘Firefighters’ and ‘Format Farm’ airing over the next seven days.
‘Firefighters’, a new eight-part series, will air its first episode on September 4, with cameras capturing every move the Dublin Fire and Rescue team made over a one-year period.
Dublin-based Moondance, the production company behind lifestyle show ‘The Zoo’, followed Dublin’s firefighters as they tackled raging flames, performed life-saving medical procedures, and rescued people from rivers and road traffic accidents.
Director Shane Brennan used state-of-the-art technology, including helmet and vehicle mounted cameras, to capture every move the rescue team made, from city-wide brigades. Since every member of the Dublin Fire Brigade is a trained paramedic, in between fighting fires, viewers will experience how the team lends their skills to ambulance services, marine emergencies and high line rescue.
Brennan, who also produced the series, said the “gripping” and “fast-paced” show has been “an enormously exciting project to be working on.” John Higgins was the assistant producer, with Brian Walsh the executive producer for RTÉ. Andre Hearne was the video editor, Niall Murphy the script editor, and Nicky Dunne the online editor. Giles Packham provided original music for the series, while Ciaran McMahon narrated the eight episodes.
‘Firefighters’ will air on RTÉ One on Tuesday September 4 at 8.30pm.
RTÉ Two meanwhile is gearing up to host the five original pilots which have grown from the station’s Format Farm, with ‘The Takeover’ piloting tonight (August 30) at 9.30pm. This pilot focuses on Dublin bakery TeaTime Express, where the employees take over in a bid to rescue the failing business. ‘Dragon’s Den’ participant Norah Casey presents this episode.
Louth-based Toto Productions developed the format, with Sony US on board as a distributor. Songwriting-based show ‘The Hit’ is the second Format Farm pilot that will air on RTÉ Two next Thursday, with Laura Whitmore presenting.
For more information on ‘Firefighters’ visit the official TV show website at www.firefighters.ie.
