Thanks to Firegeezer.com for posting a link to the original pilot for the show Emergency!
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#1 by RY on February 19, 2013 - 7:20 AM
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In 1990, the department began an intensive evaluation of Class A foam proportioners on engine companies. That led to the specification of direct-injection, multiple-outlet foam proportioners on all new engines starting in 1992. In 1995, the department purchased three engines equipped with compressed-air foam systems. Today, the LACFD has 224 front-line engines, 10 reserve engines and 15 front-line quints equipped with Class A foam proportioners. An additional 19 front-line engines are equipped with CAFS.
The link here is a photo of one of the CAFS engines
http://www.flickr.com/photos/45727377@N06/4791811766/
#2 by Mike McAuliffe on February 18, 2013 - 7:29 PM
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Thanks for the information. Forgive me for changing the subject, but I thought CAFS was only availabe in a mini-pumper configuration. How do the large CAFS engines operate? Do they have the same capability as a traditional triple comination engine?
I am glad to hear that the recent interest in black over red apparatus has not spread to the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It used to be very unique to the Chicago area, but not anymore.
#3 by RY on February 15, 2013 - 9:19 PM
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Yes, just the CAFS engines are the black over red.
#4 by Turk-WLF on February 15, 2013 - 7:50 PM
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Mike McAuliffe,
The last that I heard which was about two years ago, LA County (LACoFD) just brought a few Black over Red Engines to help I.D. the Engines with CAFS (Compress Air Foam System), I think it was one CAFS Engine per Battalion. I’m not sure of the numbers but they have stayed with the traditional all red with golden stripping.
#5 by Mike McAuliffe on February 15, 2013 - 1:27 PM
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Sounds like there are a few people out there knowledgable in southern California firefighting. Does anyone know if L.A. County is still purchasing black over red (Chicago color scheme style) fire apparatus or did they go back to their traditional all red with (is it gold?) stripping? Thanks in adavance for any responses.
#6 by RY on January 12, 2013 - 7:43 AM
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The wearing of the helmets was a LACoFD policy at the time. Chief Jim Page and Dick Friend (LACoFD PIO) were sticklers for the show being authentic. Including NO mundaine chit-chat while responding Code R (lights and siren) that you see in todays programming of fire and EMS programming.
#7 by Mike McAuliffe on January 11, 2013 - 2:05 PM
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I did not believe it a first, but you are right, it is Station 8. They even changed the small numbers over the apparatus bays to “10″. I am surprised that Jack Webb used Station 8 because that was where they filmed the old show, “Rescue 8″.
One flaw in the show was that they really down played how much L.A. County depended on the squads for firefighting. LA County has an engine company to truck ratio of something like seven or eight to one. They (at least used to) use the squads as a poor man’s truck for ventilation and primary search etc. They were originally called rescue men and did a lot of firefighting.
The pilot was more dramatic and adult themed then I remembered. They actually had a couple of people expiring. They must have decided on focusing on a more children oriented audience when the regular show came out.
Could you just imagine issuing an order that you will wear your helmet whenever the rig is motion – and actually getting firefighters to do it?
#8 by BMurphy on January 9, 2013 - 4:02 PM
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January 1972. Remember watching it as a first-grader with my family on the night it premiered. I would have to say that show is the reason I’m a firefighter. I’m also quite sure that there are thousands of other firefighters with a similar story. Producer Jack Webb was an absolute stickler for detail, which is why the fire/rescue/medic part of the show was so real (alarm assignments, procedures, etc). Even the radio and dispatch were direct from the LACoFD, and most of the rigs were actual, real in-service units leased by Universal (with crews) for a day’s production. The show also played an enormous part in spreading the paramedic program throughout the country. Lots of great stuff on the web about the history and impact of the show. Ever wonder why SO many medic units seem to have the number ’51′ ???
Also: Station 10, in the opening scene, is actually Station 8 in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Boulevard. At present, it houses (in rather cramped quarters) Engine 8, Squad 8, and ‘Light Force’ 8 (consisting of Engine 208 and Truck 8). Great group of folks at 8′s, and visiting FFs are always welcome. Additionally, Station 51 is actually Station 127 in Carson (same great group of folks there, too). There is now a real Station 51 protecting Universal Studios (Engine, Squad, and Patrol Unit); Universal contracts out to the County for their fire protection.
Except for a modern extended cab chassis, the LACoFD Squad body is exactly the same as in the show (this is for most all LACoFD squads to this day).
You can also buy the entire EMERGENCY! series (6 seasons) on DVD.
#9 by ENG 17 on January 8, 2013 - 12:57 PM
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That was an enjoyable walk down memory lane. And who knew that Dixie McCall and Dr. Bracket ever dated…or that Dr. Bracket was actually kind of a jerk. Gotta love seeing the old Crown Firecoach rigs. And who else remembers when the Federal Signal Twinsoninc lightbar (on Squad 51) was new and state of the art…
#10 by Grumpy grizzly on January 7, 2013 - 2:54 PM
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This show was pretty good, it kinda evolved from a show called: Rescue 8. The pilot shows a lot of great old rigs, mid-mounts, deluge unit. They always had these weird rescues at the end of every episode usually rope rescues. Best line in the show: Someone was having a problem with his vision and was concerned. The reply was: well when your eyes go they either make you a battalion chief or an umpire!!!
#11 by Turk_WLF on January 7, 2013 - 9:08 AM
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In the 1970s I was pretty young, Emergency! was the show I HAD to watch at that time. It was cancelled right as I began to understand the show. Most everyone that I knew wanted to be a Paramedic after seeing Emergency! but I wanted to be an Engineer/Firefighter Specialist. For years my only 2 memories of Emergency! was the massive looking nose of the Engine 51 (the Ward LaFrance Ambassador) & the Fire Truck with the “Elbow” (Truck 127/Snorkel).
#12 by chris r on January 7, 2013 - 2:33 AM
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I remember the first time i saw the show emergency in 1970s and i knew that i wanted to be a firefighter/paramedic . I also remember the shaker heights fire department in ohio on a fieldtrip in first grade and fell in love with the fire trucks . I was a emt and went to paramedic school and passed , but never finished my provional time , my biggest regard in my life . WHAT FOND MEMORIES OR WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT THE SHOW EMERGENCY ?