I found the show to be entertaining but my husband who has been a New York City fireman for the last 15 years was embarassed by it. He felt that it made the FDNY look like a bunch of buffoons. Of course every firehouse has a moron or two (just like any place of employment - offices, hospitals, schools, etc.). The show, however, portrayed every member of that firehouse as vulgar, rude, racist, and twisted. Yes, the FDNY has suffered tremendous loss both before and certainly after 9/11. But they haven't all become depressed alcoholic womanizers.
I'll watch it again but I'm sure that my husband won't.