Favorite Firefighting TV Show?????????

[BayRidge60]

Okay boys and girls out there in TV land - What is your all-time favorite firefighting TV show? Out of all the ones I can remember (Emergency!, Code Red, LA Firefighters, Rescue 77, and Third Watch to an extent), I would have to say my favorite is Emergency!. They just don't make 'em like that anymore!

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Glenn Ralston
Firefighter/EMT-D
Bay Ridge Fire-Rescue
byrdg60@netscape.net

[flash32]

Rescue 77 was pretty cool and Third Watch is great as far as i'm conserned. Emergeny, well, it was good for its time.

[RJE]

The one that's on! I'll take what I can get.

[bfd1071]

Emergency is the best out of all of them. Rescue 77, not even close. LA firefighters, Joke! Third watch, too much like a soap. Emergency, That is the show!

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** The opionions are mine and mine alone, they are not that of my dept or the local**

[Tinylad]

Recently on TNN I have been watching a fire show with Sully from Third Watch and MacGyver but I never catch the beginning. Does anyone know what show this is????

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Because if we don't, who will?
Tiny

[Jumper1803]

Tiny, the show you watched was called "Firehouse". It was produced in 1997.

[Brian Dunlap]

Absolutely 'EMERGENCY' with out a doubt !!! Watched all the Others and wasn't impressed --- 'RESCUE 77' Yeah...like that kind of stuff happens....'THIRD WATCH' Can't Really Comment because I work "Second Watch" while it is on...'LA FIREFIGHTERS'....I Won't even go there that was an absolute Joke not to mention an insult to Fire/EMS Personnel -- 'CODE RED' was Ok but had it's Soap Oprea Moments and bouts with reality, On a 1-10 Scale I say it rated a 4.5 --- But 'EMERGENCY' is the One Thumbs Up to Roy and Johnny --- I Understand new Script Ideas are on the Block being written by Randolph Mantooth {John Gage} For New Episodes of LA County Fire Dept. Paramedics --- Anybody else hear This ?

[Karen Wagner]

Hands down it's EMERGENCY! wins hands down! I am watching it on re-runs and that is the ONLY show that I will NOT allow anyone to talk to me! I am hoping TVLAND will do an EMERGENCY! marathon. Maybe if we all email them, they will http://www.firehouse.com/forums/smile.gif

Karen Wagner

[SRFD3114]

EMERGENCY!

No doubt about it. No questioning it.

Karen the marathon has been done previously, but who knows they might do another one in the future.

Steve http://www.firehouse.com/forums/biggrin.gif

[Engine 101]

Originally posted by Brian Dunlap:
Absolutely 'EMERGENCY' with out a doubt !!! Watched all the Others and wasn't impressed --- 'RESCUE 77' Yeah...like that kind of stuff happens....'THIRD WATCH' Can't Really Comment because I work "Second Watch" while it is on...'LA FIREFIGHTERS'....I Won't even go there that was an absolute Joke not to mention an insult to Fire/EMS Personnel -- 'CODE RED' was Ok but had it's Soap Oprea Moments and bouts with reality, On a 1-10 Scale I say it rated a 4.5 --- But 'EMERGENCY' is the One Thumbs Up to Roy and Johnny --- I Understand new Script Ideas are on the Block being written by Randolph Mantooth {John Gage} For New Episodes of LA County Fire Dept. Paramedics --- Anybody else hear This ?

With out a doubt was there a better show than Emergency? No!, Well I heard Randy Mantooth was working on a show but no about Paramedics, It's called USAR 1, Based around LA County FD's USAR Team, I also heard that Kevin Tighe might be starring in it, Ah Rescue 77 was ok,I liked that ambulance, LA Firefighters god all that did was disgrace LACoFD, Code Red wasn't around when it was on most likely, 3rd Watch Just a saop opera except with with NYPD and FDNY, The movie Firehouse, Man I thought that was an excellent movie, Except with the apartment blze you could tell the fire was kinda fake, So far Firehouse and Emergency are the best ones I've seen, Hey maybe Firehouse could become a regular show?

Engine 101

[alexff67]

Emergency the one that started it all.

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Put The Wet Stuff on The Red Stuff

[JimMccarthy]

Hey, any you ol'farts (like me!) remember Rescue 8. Old B & W LA City FD show. Filmed at station 8 on Santa Monica blvd (I think).
Many, many moons ago. Of course, Emergency was and still is the best. Third Watch (depending on what is going on) is second.

Keep safe,

Jimbo

[This message has been edited by JimMccarthy (edited 03-26-2001).]

[DeputyChief673]

I must say EMERGENCY all the way. From the very first time I watched it, it has made me a absolute fan....

[firebeach406]

I believe Rescue 8 was actually LA County Fire...Similiar to the assignment John Gage was working when he volunteered for the paramedic program.

Another Emergency services show nobody has mentioned was called "Code R". Loosley based on the Channel Islands, I think, with a firefighter/paramedic, police officer, and lifeguard who all worked together in solving the crisis of the week.

[JimMccarthy]

Beach, you know, I think you are right. That area would be LA County vs City. Anyway, I grew up around there and knew the area around that station pretty well. I also worked at Harbor General (Rampart) as an ER nurse after my Army tour, so I know that group of medics and the area well, also. So, EMERGENCY is like old-home to me.

Keep safe all

Jim RN-C

[msharp803]

EMERGENCY is the one hands down!! I remember wanting to be a firefighter SOOOO bad every time I watched the show. My younger brother and myself used to pretend we were defibbing each other (CLEAR!! Zonk!!), and I pretended my Dad's school bus was Engine 51 (lots of switches you know, and RED FLASHING LIGHTS!!). That was when I was 9 or 10, and it took me almost 18 years to fulfill my dream of becoming a Firefighter. I can truly say that it was worth the wait, because even though it doesn't pay, this is my favorite job! Emergency! was the inspiration for that. I like 3RD Watch also, if they don't kill off any more of the main characters! But Emergency! was the 1st and best. For its time, they were able to create some very realistic fire scenes and explosions, like the time the lab with hazardous materials blew up because some idiot was smoking near the LP truck while it was fueling a tank. Thank God for TV Land, where I can take a trip down memory lane every time I watch an episode, and I get to see the ones I missed also. How cool is that?! Roy and Johnny, you guys were and are STILL the men!

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Captain Mike Sharp
Washington Parish Fire
District #8

[This message has been edited by msharp803 (edited 05-03-2001).]

[NJJRFF17]

EMERGENCY is THE best show in the entire world!!!!!!!!!!!!! i can't get over how they keep their helmets on when they're inside the trucks, but take them off when they get out!!!! i want to do that sooooooooooo bad.

[Skaren]

Totally EMERGENCY!! The very reason I am in this business today. I also like Third Watch, but it does sometimes border on soap opera, plus they killed one of my favorite characters! Those bastards. EMERGENCY rules, wish we had TVLand where I live so I could see those reruns.

Karen Shields, Capt.
FF/EMTI Anderson Alaska VFD

[alpha192]

There was an old FDNY/NY EMS program from late 70s/early 80s. They ran an old
American LaFrance and the actor who was the Chief now plays the father on
Frasher . . . What was the show?

P.S. nothing better than the real thing
B.B.C.'s "Man Alive" episode "The Bronx is Burning" Dennis Smith leads the B.B.C.
around E82/T31 as they respond in late 72/early 73 <- I NEED A COPY!

[John_Ford]

The movie Firehouse, Man I thought that was an excellent movie, Except with the apartment blze you could tell the fire was kinda fake, So far Firehouse and Emergency are the best ones I've seen, Hey maybe Firehouse could become a regular show?

Engine 101

[/B][/QUOTE]
It was, Starred Richard Jeakel from the movie and some other guys. They put it in LA instead of New York. Lasted a year if I remember right. Pity I kinda liked it.

[daysleeper47]

Hey Alpha,
The program you are refering to was on ABC and was called "H.E.L.P."(stood for Harlem Eastside Lifesaving Program). It starred John Mahoney, the dad on "Frasier". I personally don't remember the show, but this topic was also on the FDNY Board. The show was about a FF/PD/EMS joint station. Also in the show was Marjorie Monaghan (Rescue 77) as a firefighter, and Wesley Snipes as a police officer. The show only ran 7 episodes and was on in 1990, not the 70's-80's like you thought. They used a real FDNY rig, a 1980 ALF, reserve rig #510 someone on the FDNY boards said.


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Joe
Daysleeper47
"When the bell goes ding-ding, its time to get on the woo-woo."
"Dusting desire - starting to learn. Walking through fire with out a burn..."
Youngstown Fire Department (http://youngstownfiredept.8m.com)

[CHEW33]

Emergency all the way. You don't see too many shows stick around this long, and still have such a large following

[denny]

**EMERGENCY!!!!!****
No other can beat it...

My 7 yr old son is hooked on it..
He's been hooked since at least 5 yrs old..
Just got the CODE #3 Die Cast Collectible
Of SQUAD 51 and ENGINE51 CROWN PUMPER..
TV land just had the EMERGENCY eposide
were Roy & Gage went to Seattle FD..
It was an oldie but a goodie..

Third watch is ok but too much on the personnel lives ..

[melvin6925]

I definitely remember "Rescue 8". Absolutely the best. No Hurst tools or Telemetry, just good old fashioned hand tools and BLS to get the job done. Seemed realistic to me, but then again I was a kid at the time. I sure do miss that show and have been trying in vain to locate old tapes of it.

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Melvin Davidson
Rescue 2
Wantagh, NY FD

[This message has been edited by melvin6925 (edited 06-13-2001).]

[bke]

Originally posted by RJE:
The one that's on! I'll take what I can get.

Good Firefighting shows are hard to come by. Rescue 77 and L.A. Firefighters were lousy. Third Watch I like because it has Firefighting and Police Work. The EMS part I wasn't that crazy about at first but I have come around. Third Watch has also been good because it is not all doctors and lawyers which I am sick of.
Emergency is still great but unfortunately we haven't had an episode air here in probably 10 years or more. I was hoping TNN would bring it back since they brought back Starsky and Hutch.
Oh well.............

[bke]

Forgot to put this in my first reply.

In the beginning of Emergency, the trucks coming out of the station with the lights on. STILL CLASSIC!
Emergency was the best. I wish I could see it again.

Found a cool site you guys might like:
www.squad51.org/ (http://www.squad51.org/)

Don't know how many of you know about it. They have Emergency merchandise and pictures of the fully restored Squad 51 from the show. I emailed them and asked about the two pumpers from the show but got no reply. I hope they are not scrap somewhere. There were two pumpers, a Crown and another newer rig later on.
If anybody knows about the pumpers let me know.

bke@firehousemail.com

[This message has been edited by bke (edited 06-24-2001).]

[capt311]

Emergency: the other firefighting shows don't even compare to it

[daysleeper47]

Hey what about NYPD Blue? ....errr...nevermind, wrong topic. :D

[Firekatz04]

Originally posted by JimMccarthy:
<STRONG>Hey, any you ol'farts (like me!) remember Rescue 8. Old B & W LA City FD show. Filmed at station 8 on Santa Monica blvd (I think).
Many, many moons ago]</STRONG>

YES, Rescue 8 was (at that time) my FAVORITE TV show EVER.
How about Code Red? What about that "cop show" 240 - Robert (worst show I EVER SAW)? I think that they had the same producers and even the same scripts.
That's one reason that I don't watch 3rd Watch... it's a "soap opera". GAG me already!

[MetalMedic]

My vote is for EMERGENCY also... even though it is terribly dated now.

I have a question.. what was the name of the series that aired for part of a season that stared Loren Greene as the father of two sons, and all 3 were firefighters? Does anyone remember it, or is that one that was already mentioned that I can't recall??

[Fuller]

I would also have to say Emergency is the best. Third Watch is good and I do watch it, but it is to much like a day soap, and too many cops.

[morriss]

MetalMedic: I believe it was Code Red with Loren Green.

[Captain Nemo]

Sure is nice to see so many "old farts" out there like me, who think Emergency still out-classes em all. Was it as "hip" as the stuff on the tube today? Nah! They used old fasioned gear, manila rope, (& ladder belts for rappels, fer gosh sake!) drove hokey old trucks and got into some lame situations rescue-wise, but ole Johnny & Roy really knew their stuff.

Some of the young bucks today could take a lesson from the way they improvised, adapted and overrcame with all that "unsafe", "out-dated" equipment! Horay for newer, safer stuff, but 'Hoo-Yah' for using the old noggin!

Stay safe!

[j6200]

Emergency is the best without a doubt. It's a great no-nonsense show. By the way, does anyone one know when they switched the truck from a Crown to a Ward LaFrance? I never really got a chance to sit down and see "Third Watch". Rescue 77 was so-so. The ALF/RD Murray quint in that show was really nice. It was also brand new at the time. :cool:

[MetalMedic]

Originally posted by morriss:
<STRONG>MetalMedic: I believe it was Code Red with Loren Green.</STRONG>


Thanks a million! Not remembering it was starting to drive me bats!


:D

[SilverCity4]

EMERGENCY! My earliest memories are watching it after school at Grandma's while eatin' a big bowl of cereal. Now it's on TV Land, and I still love it.

I had high hopes for Rescue 77. Alas, my hopes were dashed.

I really like Third Watch, but I'd prefer less police work and more fire, but I'll take what I can get.

So far everyone's posted about fictional shows-anybody remember a show called "Fire-Rescue" (I think)? Used to be on around here a few years ago. You had to watch "Real Stories of the Highway Patrol", "COPS", "LAPD", and THEN "Fire-Rescue" was on after midnight. It was along the same lines as "COPS" - ridealongs and such.

Anybody with me?

[Brian Dunlap]

Originally posted by j6200:
<STRONG>Emergency is the best without a doubt. It's a great no-nonsense show. By the way, does anyone one know when they switched the truck from a Crown to a Ward LaFrance? I never really got a chance to sit down and see "Third Watch". Rescue 77 was so-so. The ALF/RD Murray quint in that show was really nice. It was also brand new at the time. :cool:</STRONG>

:D :D :D j6200

Starting with the 1974 Season 'EMERGENCY' retired the Crown-Fire Coach and introduced the Ward La-France. The Ward La-France made it's debut on the second episode of the third season "THE OLD ENGINE" Engine 51 is a 1973 1000gpm triple combination P-80 "Ambassador" Model. powered by a Cummins NH855 250HP aspirated diesel motor. With an Allison HT-70 Power Shift Transmission. It was a fully automatic Transmission but the driver {Mike Stoker} Could select gears from the lowest to the highest speed even with the pedal pushed to the floor. {In other words Up-Shifting under full power makes for a less rougher transistion to the next higher gear. Now if you watch 'EMERGENCY' like I do you will notice that Engines 18, 60, 73, 110, 114 {Which were real LACoFD Engines} were the same model as 51's and appeared in quite a few episodes. Engine 51 retired from Hollywood in 1979 {After 'EMERGENCY' ended} it made a few "Guest appearances" in films before seeing service as an actual Engine Company in Yosimitie National Park. I believe it is now part of the LACoFD Museum. Hope this helps you

[j6200]

Wow...Thanks! I really appreciate the info.

PS- I've seen Stratford's rigs at the convention and they're really nice! Just wanted to let ya know. :cool:

[Brian Dunlap]

Originally posted by j6200:
<STRONG>Wow...Thanks! I really appreciate the info.

PS- I've seen Stratford's rigs at the convention and they're really nice! Just wanted to let ya know. :cool:</STRONG>

;) j6200... Thanks --- We'll be in Wildwood again this year with Two Trucks and Our Color Guard..We're taking it easy this year

[MikeF25]

Sorry to young to appreciate Emergency though
I have seen the reruns and some are pretty good.

I would have to say Third Watch,
But they need new episodes too.

[firefightermatt]

My al-time favorite has got to be EMERGENCY!,I love to watvh the re-runs on TVLAND. I have heard of code red but never seen it. I watchThird Watch but think it is alot like a soap I havent heard of the rest of them. :cool: :p

[Slingblade]

Before I reply let me ask everyone one qustion....Where would EMS and Rescue be today if Emergency! had never aired? This show is the reason we have EMS, paramedics, EMTs,and aeromedical services.
As I sit here in my office looking at my poster of Johnny and Roy on the wall I think back to my childhood.......watching these guys saving lives with a professionalism. Emergency! is the reason I am a firefighter today. Sometimes when I'm enroute to a call or on a scene where everthing goes right, I stop and think how lucky I am to be doing what I only dreamed of doing as a child watching Emergency!
Third Watch has the potential to be an excellant show. The scenes are more realistic than LA firefighters<what a joke> or Rescue 77<another joke>. The show injects realism in how we work with PD and EMS really well. But if we could leave out the sex and soap opera story lines it would be a must watch. I watch it but cull the soap stuff.
EMERGENCY RULES!!
Sqaud 51 forever in service....KMG-365

[truckie_ladderco_147]

Squad 51 the informant reports toxic chemicals (Johnny and Roy work on a guy 50 feet from an exploding tnaker)51 start an I.V. D5 W and lactated ringers!!(Jesus doc Brackett that man will pee for a week :p) But my God what a show!! I loved it! Still love it!
3rd watch is good but, the uniforms are off,there is no real Squad 55( they use the police precinct number for the engine and squad)for the FDNY,and some of the fire scene's are a little hokey(like Jimmy helping the engineer get water,he turned on the hydrant :rolleyes: hmmmmmmm couldnt the engineer done that?)But I do love the show.
Code Red had Lorene Green and Adam Rich (the little kid from 8 is enough) and was fairly decent.But seeing littla Adam ride in full turnouts on a rig responding lights and sirens was a little much.Plus did you notice that all the did was show the trucks leave then come back!!! Hardly ever showed fire scenes
:( :(
Rescue 77 started good then went totaly down the damn drain!like a Paramedic overriding medical control(who was the dispatcher no less :rolleyes: )and the whole golden axe for most calls in a month(not bad but the ceremony sheesh0
Plus the cops like program was called Firefighters.It was good but not well directed.They had "Code Red-itits"not enough fire ground scenes.
I would love to see a movie about engine 82 and ladder 31 from the time when Dennis Smith was there.Or hell any of Stapletons books.
Sorry to have bumped over to movies but hows about Backdraft 2???Ron Howard are ya listening?