"Emergency!" the 1970s television series is a true depiction of a project that began in Los Angeles.  In 1969, the fire department launched a specially trained team of highly skilled firemen-paramedics to operate rescue squads for the L.A. County Fire Department. Although many fire departments traditionally have provided rescue service to aid the injured, sick and dying, it was obvious to many public officials and medical personnel that too many patients were being lost before they could receive trained medical aid at the hospital. 

For those of us who grew up watching the show, Emergency proved to be the starting point for the development of emergency medical services across the country.

Allegheny County was also part of the change and in the early 1970s, EMS began to grow and prosper thanks to many dedicated individuals such as Allen Schattner, MD, Clara Jean Ersoz, MD,  Peter Safar, MD, Nancy Caroline, MD, Ron Stewart, MD, Jerry Esposito and Glenn Cannon.  We dedicate this page to Johnny and Roy but also to those visionaries who changed the face of emergency medical care in Southwestern Pennsylvania.