Emergency! Behind the Scene: . Paperback – December 12, 2012

Yokley and his partner, Rozanne Sutherland have done an top-notch job in chronicling the show, "EMERGENCY!" from its initial conceptualization to its lasting impact on both emergency services and firefighting, not only in the U.S., but in many international locations, as well. Few, if any details in the more than six-year history of the show and its follow-up TV movies, have been missed.Good authors and writers always perform their research, but Richard and Rozanne went far above and beyond the "call of duty" in putting this tome together. They were able to provide stories, backgrounds, cast lists, locations and much more for virtually every episode and the movies. Moreover, they secured numerous quotes from many writers, cast members, stunt people, advisors, and many more. Amazingly enough, almost every one of these quotes include the speaker's fond memories of their work on this show.There can be no doubt that "EMERGENCY!" strongly influenced the course of Emergency Medical Services, with both EMT's and Paramedics in this country. Within a year of the show's first year, new paramedic and EMT programs were sprouting up in urban, suburban and rural locations across the country. Although this writer was already in college when the show debuted, it had a strong influence on my own predilection to become a volunteer firefighter and EMT, having already attained numerous Red Cross and Heart Association certification levels by the age of 18.The book is a great read both for anyone who grew up in the days of the telecast or those who became interested when catching the re-runs on various channels. The reader almost instantly becomes the "fly on the wall" that so many of us have wanted to be since we were "infected" by the "EMERGENCY!" "bug.

I was born when Emergency! first aired, so you could say I was late to the game, but this show is certainly a favorite with my wife and I. As we've watched the reruns we wanted to learn a little more about the back story of the show and the cast. Wikis and fan pages helped, but... their quality (and depth) wasn't always great. Then we found this book. It's fantastic!PROS: Easy to read - straight through or just flip to a section you want to learn about! Lots of detail on the creation of the paramedic function, the show as a whole, the stars (and guest stars), the episodes and more. Lots of little trivia bits that are fun for those who love the show.CONS: Hmm... might have been nice to have some more pictures, but honestly, I'm stretching.

This book is a lovingly written information "bible" about the classic 70's TV series about the beginning of the Paramedic system.Lots of behind the scenes information with interviews and quotes from cast and crew, as well as in depth information about the equipment used on the show and "translating" some of the terminology and procedures. There are great profiles of cast and crew, episode guides and production information for the episodes and also a fantastic chapter about the trip of the Ward LaFrance engine (used from Season 3 onward) from New York to Los Angeles.If you're a fan of the show, then you will want to own this book - as well as the DVDs of the series.

This has great information, not just about the show, but also about the beginning of the paramedic program. It packs a ton of information, facts, and stories from on the set into the book. It gives you a lot of insight on how the show was done and what happened during the show. You are also treated to how the people interacted off set and the personalities of those involved. There is also an episode guide that has more information than you can find on the web. The pictures only enhance the value of this book. A true must have for Emergency! fans. This is especially helpful for those writing fanfiction.

BOTTOM LINE: Chock-full of tons of info about the show, this detail-oriented companion book will school both casual & hardcore fan alike in almost everything they could ever want to know about the groundbreaking paramedic-themed rescue series. Be warned: there aren't very many photos, (and those that are are all black & white). Also, this book is very tech-flavored. Those simply looking for lotsa pics and/or just biographical info on the cast might find all the minuscule details stuff kinda off-putting. But if you are (or were) a firefighter, paramedic/EMT or are a fire fan then this book will be right up your smoke-filled alley.THOUGHTS: One of my all-time favorite TV shows growing up, I happily re-discovered EMERGENCY! when I stumbled across a box set of the first season for sale in a retail video store years ago. I've since collected all of the seasons and regularly watch them, alone or with my wife. The drama, camaraderie and dedication of the men of Station 51 and the staff of Rampart Hospital never grows old; every day courage & heroism never does. So as a fan, this book seemed like a no-brainer purchase. In-depth on the smallest details of the vehicles, equipment and history of the LA fire department & the paramedic program, almost to the point of obsession, LOL, but I learned a lot. It gave me a better understanding of the history behind the show and a better appreciation of the work and dedication that went into producing this early fore-runner of today's reality TV. Plus, it's amazing to see just how far the science of firefighting has come, as well as the huge life-saving advances in the paramedic & EMT service fields since this show first aired in early 1972.If you love EMERGENCY! then by all means buy this book. If you're a current or former firefighter or EMT/paramedic then that makes this book a must-own, as you can overdose on the wealth of historic technical details. Either way, I recommend EMERGENCY! BEHIND THE SCENE whole-heartedly. KMG-365!