The following appears in the January 2008 issue of JEMS Magazine:
Emergency! Behind the Scene
By Richard Yokley & Rozane Sutherland
Jones and Bartlett, 2007
Few TV shows can boast revolutionizing the frontlines of emergency medicine like Emergency!. Beyond inspiring future generations of Firefighters and Paramedics, the show demonstrated the lifesaving potential of ALS in the field. Today, the importance of immediate treatment within the first 10 minutes of a cardiac event or traumatic injury is common knowledge; however, in the 70’s, it was relatively unknown, and the show helped shape people’s perceptions of modern emergency medicine. It also made Johnny Gage and Roy DeSoto household names—living rooms were filled with robotic-sounding radio traffic: “The victim is in extreme pain, Rampart.”
Co-written by Rozane Sutherland, a huge fan of Emergency!, and Richard Yokley, a retired firefighter who has led a distinguished career in EMS, Behind the Scene details the show’s unique history, colorful cast and exciting episodes.
Did you know that Emergency! had a special exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of American History? Or that the Ward La France fire engine is still in service at Yosemite National Park? Or that NBC flew several firefighters to New York to pick up the famous Engine 51 and make a 26-day cross-country journey to Universal Studios in Los Angeles? (There’s a whole chapter on that!)
In addition, the book highlights a portion of a letter from U.S. Senator Alan Cranston (D-Calif., 1969-1993) to Jack Webb, an actor and the show’s creator, stating how Emergency! helped established paramedic programs across the nation. It also details how the Wedsworth-Townsend Act of 1972 allowed a pilot program of “mobile intensive care paramedics for the delivery of emergency medicine care to the sick and injured at the scene of an emergency.” In fact, two episodes are dedicated to the importance of this law.
The book deals with almost everyone involved in the making of Emergency!, from lead actors and set designers to the Los Angeles County Fire Department and hospital staff who provided the technical know-how. It includes specs of the fire engines and squads, the types of sirens, radios, and uniforms used, and highlights tools, such as the Jaws of Life. It discusses the inspiration for the show, the development of the paramedic program in Los Angeles County, and the first firefighter/paramedics who received their training at Harbor General Hospital in 1969. Yokley also thanks JEMS Editor-in Chief A.J. Heightman for assisting him getting the book in print.
An Emergency! episode guide provides a synopsis of each of the 124 episodes aired on television, beginning with the world premier that featured the first of three Adam-12 crossovers. Additionally, the book gives an overview on the Emergency! movies, discusses show crossovers and spin-offs, and includes an untelevised script.
Curious about what happened to your favorite Stars? The book even touches on that. Afraid you might be missing Emergency! collectibles? The book lists virtually every collectible in existence.
If you are or have ever been a first responder or simply a fan of the show, then you’ll both appreciate and enjoy Emergency! Behind the Scene.
---Chad Allison has been a firefighter/EMT with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department fir eight years. He has received the Lifesaving Medal Award twice and the Steven F. Holladay Memorial Award twice for his commitment to the community and his department. He currently works on Engine Company 17, the busiest in the city.
"Watching Johnny and Roy in action on Emergency! was a reflection of how early Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics really worked; it redefined the scope of the fire service. It was truly one of America's first reality shows!"
P. Michael Freeman, Fire Chief
Los Angeles County Fire Department
"My copy of Emergency! arrived today. I'm already well into it and learning new information about the beginnings of the paramedic program. Thank you for documenting the history of Emergency! and LA County's EMS program. Your work is a great service to EMS history."
Tom Hibbard
Deputy to 1st district LA County Supervisor
"I thank who ever made the original post for Emergency!. The book is about the history of the Emergency! show and the start up of the paramedic program. The book arrived aroung 5:30 last night and I was still reading it at 1:30am - I can not put it down! I have 4 bookmarks and a number of highlighted places. If you loved the show you have to have the book."
Charissa
Emergency! Fan
