People in your community may only see first responders on the toughest days of their lives – or maybe just around town, training, shopping at the grocery store and spreading safety messages. But a lot of folks also see firefighters on reality TV as they cook, race around the world, fall in and out of love, and take on all sorts of challenges.
Get to know four firefighters who walked away with glory and big checks – plus several other noteworthy contenders.
1. “BACHELORETTE” WINNER RYAN SUTTER
Firefighter Ryan Sutter won – and won early, in terms of the “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” franchise’s history. On “The Bachelorette” – a spinoff of the popular “Bachelor” show – 25 men try to win the heart of one woman. The first “Bachelorette,” Trista Rehn, gave the final rose to firefighter Ryan Sutter. The two were married on national TV in December 2003. They now live in Colorado with their two children, according to a 2020 US Magazine article and a September USA Today article.
Sutter told ET online in 2022 that he had two major surgeries and was diagnosed with Lyme disease, but he was finally back to work. He added that, through gene testing, he discovered that he is “susceptible to toxins” to which he’s at risk of exposure as a firefighter.
Other firefighters have appeared on “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette” and all the various spinoff shows:
- Firefighter Kevin Wendt got the final rose on the first season of “The Bachelorette Canada.” He also appeared on “Bachelor in Paradise,” where he met Astrid Loch. They eventually married and now have a child together, according to RealityTea.
- Grant Kemp appeared on season 12 of the “The Bachelorette” and later he won on the third season of “Bachelor in Paradise.” He formed a relationship that has since ended. Page Six reported that Kemp was working on the Dixie Fire last year.
2. “SURVIVOR” WINNER TOM WESTMAN
Former FDNY Firefighter Tom Westman won $1 million on “Survivor: Palau.” He returned for “Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains” but did not win. With his winnings, he retired from the fire service, the Daily News reported in 2010.
3. “SURVIVOR” WINNER JEREMY COLLINS
Cambridge (Mass.) Firefighter Jeremy Collins won on “Survivor Cambodia: Second Chance,” and took home $1 million. He previously competed in the San Juan del Sur season.
4. “GUY’S GROCERY GAMES” WINNER ARIEL MERHAV
Many firefighters have competed in cooking and baking-themed TV shows. You could call it a smorgasbord of appearances. Few, though, have won.
California Firefighter Ariel Merhav won the firefighter face-off episode of “Guy’s Grocery Games” in 2021. Along with bragging rights, he took home $18,000.
Close to victory
Dan Polizzi, a firefighter with the Aurora (Ill.) Fire Department, and Firefighter Brandon Mears with the Streamwood (Ill.) Fire Department became known as “The Towers of Power” on “American Ninja Warrior,” a sports entertainment show that features competitors attempting to complete a series of obstacle courses of increasing difficulty.
The two firefighters met during a taping of the show’s fifth season and are now know for submitting comical joint audition tapes based on 1980s movies, the Chicago Tribune reported. Both got to the final round in 2019.
https://www.facebook.com/AuroraILFire/posts/pfbid02wVuuHUaBXuWcubQZVQCjTnqPHtXa1ZFC1yQUqRNgCJNFkby7j8npuLKnGX6GmR2Al https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=998919820513607&external_log_id=efe1a061-99d7-44c0-bda5-80e32c8c411c&q=fire%20department%20and%20dan%20polizzi%20ninja
Texas firefighter and amputee Gary Weiland competed last year but fell into a pool during a competition, not getting to the end.
“You would think that I would be satisfied with my life getting back on the job,” Weiland told the Denton Record-Chronicle about why he competed. “But I just wanted the next challenge.”
He said he went home feeling accomplished.
Another Texan, Caleb Hayre, with the Conroe Fire Department, also competed on the program. He got as far as the season final in 2015.
https://www.facebook.com/ConroeFD/videos/10153378299411007/
What other firefighters competed on reality TV shows? Share in the comments below or email editor@firerescue1.com.
