Firefighters Get Own Show

The city’s fire department got the go-ahead from council members this week to begin production on a reality TV show titled “First Responders—Firefighters of Santa Barbara.” According to Chief Andrew DiMizio, his department is in talks with producers Ira and Linda Distenfield, the couple behind city police’s “On Patrol” program. Fourteen episodes are expected to run during the first season—and will air at 7 p.m. Saturdays on Fox 11—with each episode generating $1,000 for the city’s general fund and $500 for reruns. DiMizio said the firefighters’ tentative contract is essentially the same as the one drafted between the Distenfields and the police.