Called to Duty was conceived after a charitable fund-raising trip to Toledo's local fire stations. At one station, producer Ken Leslie met fire fighter Mike Nicely, and the two ended up forging a creative partnership that has become this program and website.

Throughout 2002 Ken lived in Toledo's busiest fire stations, 5's, 7's, 16's, 17's and 25's. Through long nights and busy weekends, he captured the day and life of the modern firefighter. Riding with the firefighters the viewer can experience the joys and agonies that make firefighting what it is.

Through the trust and relationships forged, the firefighters were completely open during the interviews, literally baring the soul of the modern firefighter. This has allowed the program to not just be about firefighting, but the heartfelt emotions of the firefighter. We know what they do, but how do they cope with all of the death and injury that they see?

We have ended up with a very rich program that makes people feel, making the audience both laugh and cry.

The program arch is 3 shifts, A, B, & C over Memorial Day weekend 2002. Friday night there was a tragic fatal fire where 3 children perished, Saturday had two fatal shootings and Sunday, a spectacular car dealership fire.

From this single arch we branch into:

The Evolution of Man - How firefighting evolved from volunteer days in the 1800's to paid departments. (Including pictures from the 1800's)

The Evolution of Machine - From the first man-pulled pumpers to motorized engines and ladders of today.

The Evolution of Society Part 1 - The difficulties experienced by Afro-Americans as they joined the department, culminating in the first black Fire Chief in 1990.

The Evolution of Society Part 2 - The difficulties experienced by women as they joined the department, culminating in the first female Battalion Chief in 2002.

The Evolution of Society Part 3 - Toledo was one of a few departments nationwide who went on strike in the 1970's, forming collective bargaining laws as they exist today.

The Evolution of Technology - From Leather Lungs and radios to Thermal Imaging cameras, how technology has made firefighting safer.

The New Dynamic - Covers the preparation firefighters now conduct to respond to weapons of mass destruction.

The Willard Fire - Another devastating fatal fire where 4 children perished.

The Emotional Toll - Firefighters subjugate their feelings on the run, as there is a job to do. It is after the run the toll is paid. Each tragic image of death or severe injury, especially to children, is placed on the hard drive memory of the mind, and there is no delete button. Occasionally these images sneak back to haunt you when they are least expected.

The Physical Toll - Equally damaging is the physical toll firefighting can extract. Two firefighters, Allison Materni and Jeff Cook shared their terrifying experiences, one trapped in a fire severely burned, the second shot by a crazed man, paralyzing his arm and ending his days as a firefighter.

The Ultimate Sacrifice - 43 firefighters in Toledo have given their lives to save others, 4 on a single day, June 10th, 1961. We were able to locate film footage of that fire, and with modern technology, were able to show for the first time on television the exact moment of the tanker explosion that took their lives.

Additionally, this segment covers the aftermath of September 11th for firefighters, honoring those who gave their lives, and recognizing that it has made it ok for firefighters to cry.

Intertwined in all of the above is the daily life in the station through shifts A, B & C, answers to common questions and of course, the meals.