Veteran paramedic Don Anderson and his rookie partner, Jennifer Myers, are on a seemingly routine call when Don is suddenly shot in the chest. Freshly out of school, Jennifer finds the inner strength to render aid to a man who has become her mentor. As Don fights for his life, he reflects from the start of his career, way back in the dark ages of prehospital emergency medicine, through the highly evolved profession of today. His calling takes its toll as Don battles multiple marriages, alcohol, traumatic stress disorders, and his biggest nemesis of all — himself.