The Television Series
Rescue 77
Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department are frequently asked questions regarding the short-lived television series RESCUE 77. Though the Department had no formal involvement in the show, here are some commonly asked questions:
A: It was a weekly television series shown briefly in North America.
A: A total of eight episodes aired on the WB Television Network in the Spring of 1999.
A: It was an action-drama that portrayed Firefighter/Paramedics in a fictitious Southern California Fire Department.
A: No. The agency portrayed in the show was a fabricated agency entitled the "Los Angeles Fire Authority". No permission was necessary (solicited or granted) for the use of this name. For the record, we are the Los Angeles Fire Department.
A: The show was fiction. It did not formally portray any particular real-life Fire Department.
A: The LAFD did not analyze or offer approval for any actions or policies portrayed in the television series.
A: No. The much heralded EMERGENCY! of the 1970's as well as L.A. FIREFIGHTERS in the 1990's specifically portrayed the Los Angeles County Fire Department and were on different television networks. The cast and producers of RESCUE 77 were not affiliated with those television shows, nor was RESCUE 77 a second-generation of the aforementioned programs.
A: Feature talent included Richard Roundtree portraying Captain Durfee, Victor Browne as Paramedic Michael Bell, and Christian Kane as Paramedic Wick Lobo. Prominent in many storylines was Marjorie Monaghan, who took on the persona of Senior Paramedic Kathleen Ryan. Many industry newcomers made guest appearances, while production staff included several Hollywood veterans.
A: The producers made arrangements with manufacturers to procure focus vehicles for the show, including:
A: No.
A: No. The studios used a variety of readily available rental vehicles from firms and individuals here in Southern California. Our apparatus is devoted to protecting the City of Los Angeles during real emergencies.
A: At the time of filming, no. There was only a single Engine Company assigned to LAFD Station 77, which serves the suburban Los Angeles neighborhoods of Sun Valley, Shadow Hills and La Tuna Canyon. In October 2000, the LAFD first placed a Basic Life Support Ambulance at Station 77 to enhance service in the burgeoning region. The radio call sign for that new unit was "Rescue 877". In early October 2002, Rescue 877 was upgraded and staffed for Advanced Life Support capabilities, and in keeping with Department protocol, assumed the new radio call sign of Rescue 77. The fact that an ambulance unit known as "Rescue 77" is now assigned to LAFD Station 77 is purely coincidental, and has nothing to do with the television series.
A: No. Unlike other Fire Departments, the LAFD does not encourage Station-specific patches, t-shirts or other memorabilia. The crew at LAFD Station 77 have no official items to trade, sell or send to the public or other Firefighters.
A: Yes. The Firemen's Relief Association Store is open to the public. You can order items via their toll-free phone number or on-line catalog. 100% of store proceeds benefit Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firefighters.
A: No.
A: No. Neither the station or personnel assigned to LAFD Engine Company 77 served any role in the creation or production of the television series.
A: No. LAFD Station 77 was never shown in the weekly series.
A: Yes. While a majority of RESCUE 77 was filmed on local film studio sound stages, there were some scenes filmed in and near real Los Angeles Fire Stations. This activity is in keeping with local norms and does not imply an endorsement by the Department. Fire Stations are public buildings. Dozens of times each year, active and former LAFD Stations are used in a wide variety of print, film and video productions. There are strict guidelines for this activity.
A: No.
A: No.
A: No. You must write directly to the network, producers or others affiliated with the program.
A: Sorry. Much of what you saw on television was fabricated for the series. At other times, real-life locations were enhanced or heavily modified for filming purposes. The LAFD did not track the sites (real or otherwise) that were portrayed in RESCUE 77.
A: The Department has no formal opinion.
A: Their opinions vary. Members of the LAFD and other public safety professionals worldwide participate in discussion forums known as Usenet Newsgroups. To interact with real Firefighters and Paramedics regarding RESCUE 77 or other topics, simply post a message on these bulletin board type discussion groups:
A: Regretfully, our public relations personnel do not have the free time necessary to address personal issues involving a non-LAFD commercial venture. They do however, faithfully read the content of the Usenet Newsgroups mentioned above.
A: Likely Yes. There were several private websites devoted to the show during its initial run. You can utilize any of the popular search engines to find sites that still exist.