I grew up in a rural town, and in my early 20s, moved to an even more rural one, where I lived for nearly 25 years. Our fire department was entirely volunteer, and I watched in awe as they cared for our community. Over time, their workload grew heavier and more complex.

When I learned about the Faultline Ensemble’s play, “Counting Pebbles,” it confirmed what I had seen firsthand: Across the country, emergency calls have risen dramatically — especially in rural and suburban areas. Aging populations, the opioid epidemic, mental health crises, climate pressures and chronic illness mean that EMS, fire and police are responding to more — and more emotionally demanding — calls than ever before.

Created by first responders, health workers and artists, “Counting Pebbles” draws from real interviews and lived experiences to tell the story of a rural ambulance service coping with a paramedic’s fatal overdose. As coworkers grapple with the loss, they confront the unacknowledged toll of their work, inviting the audience into conversation about subjects often left unspoken. Developed through years of fieldwork and storytelling with EMS providers across the country, the play offers an honest, compassionate look at the challenges and resilience of those who serve.

We are proud to be presenting “Counting Pebbles” for an evening show and matinee this weekend. It will be staged in the bays of the West Bath Fire Department at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. Performances are free for first responders and their families, and will be followed by a discussion led by Ann Marie Farina of the Code Green Campaign. Attendance counts for two hours of free Maine EMS continuing education. And yes, we are bringing the Chocolate Church Art Center’s famed popcorn machine to the West Bath firehouse.

“Counting Pebbles” has been performed in dozens of communities in different parts of New England — always in local firehouses or ambulance bays; its site-specificity is part of its power. In 2024, it was a national finalist for the highly coveted New England Foundation for the Arts National Theatre Project Award. Audience members and communities that have experienced this work testify to its power and importance.

In closing, as trite as it may sound, I am a firm believer in the power of stories. A community’s health and wealth are found in its stories. When stories are told by those who live them, they do more than entertain — they build bridges of understanding and give voice to the truths that too often go unheard. First responders are the heroes of our communities and knowing those stories — even the hard ones — is part of what it means to truly be in community.

Matthew Glassman is executive and artistic director of the Chocolate Church Arts Center.