Rescue 911

Rescue 911
GenreDocudrama
Written byPaula Deats
Nancy Platt Jacoby
Aaron Kass
Jim Milio
Jean O'Neill
Directed bySheri Goldstein
Mary Hardwick
Nancy Platt Jacoby
Jim Milio
Chris Pechin
Ronnie Weinstock
Segment directors
Ron Brody
Mark Cole
Michael Collins
Allison Grodner
Robin Groth
Dan Jackson
Jim Milio
Steve Muscarella
Chris Pechin
Presented byWilliam Shatner
Theme music composerScott Roewe
ComposersRichard Stone (Seasons 1–3)
Stu Goldberg (Seasons 4–7)
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons7
No. of episodes186 (and 2 specials) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersArnold Shapiro
Jean O'Neill (Seasons 5–7)
ProducersNancy Platt Jacoby (Seasons 1–2)
Jim Milio (Seasons 3–7)
Sueann Fincke (Season 7)
Running time60 minutes (30 minutes in syndication)
Production companiesCBS Entertainment Productions (1989–1995)
CBS Productions (1995–1996)
Arnold Shapiro Productions
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseApril 18, 1989 (1989-04-18) –
August 27, 1996 (1996-08-27)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Rescue 911 is an informational docudrama television series that premiered on CBS on April 18, 1989, and ended on August 27, 1996. The series was hosted by William Shatner and featured reenactments (and occasionally real footage) of emergencies that often involved calls to 911.

Though never intended as a teaching tool, various viewers used the knowledge they obtained watching the show. Two specials, titled 100 Lives Saved and 200 Lives Saved, were dedicated to these viewers who had written to CBS with their stories on how the knowledge they obtained watching the show allowed them to save the lives of others. At least 350 lives have been saved as a result of what viewers learned from watching it.[1] The show's popularity coincided with, if not led to, the widespread adoption of the 911 emergency system replacing standalone police and fire numbers that varied from municipality to municipality; the number is now universally understood in the United States and Canada to be the number dialed for emergency assistance.

At its height, the show was adapted in 45 countries (with their own 911 equivalent showcased).

  1. ^ "-- ASP - Arnold Shapiro Productions". Arnoldshapiroproductions.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2005. Retrieved 21 December 2017.