Rescue Me is an American television drama series which focuses on the professional and personal lives of a group of New York City firefighters in the fictional Ladder 62 / Engine 99 firehouse. The show mainly follows veteran fireman Tommy Gavin (Denis Leary) and his ever troublesome family as they deal with real life issues, either with post 9/11 trauma or domestic problems. Tommy has to struggle with the loss of his cousin and best friend Jimmy Keefe, who died on September 11, 2001, and frequently visits Tommy in visions. In the pilot episode, Tommy and his wife have already separated and Tommy has moved across the street. He is ill-tempered, self destructive, hypocritical, manipulative, and a relapsed alcoholic. He has realized how much he has contributed to the breakup of his family, and constantly struggles to reconcile with them. He loves his children very much, and desires to get back together with his wife. However, despite slowly making steps toward his redemption, tragedy always seems to be right around the corner.
Created by Denis Leary and Peter Tolan, the show premiered on the FX Network in 2004. Rescue Me is produced by Cloudland Company, Apostle, DreamWorks Television and Sony Pictures Television.
It was announced on August 28, 2009 that FX had decided to end the series in 2011 after a total of seven seasons. The finale is expected to coincide with the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
