This was pretty much the original "rescue" drama. The scene I remember most was the team rescuing an oil field worker who was stuck in the track of a gas tank that was slowly coming down in its supporting frame. Stopping the flow of gas did not help as the lag time for the gas to compress enough to stop the tank shell from lowering was not quick enough. Very exciting stuff for the late 50's.("Spoiler Alert") Yes, they got him out. Just in time before the guide roller got to him... and for the last commercial.This type of suspense and close calls is pretty much standard in the series.

I too recall watching Rescue 8. One episode is very vivid in my mind was a rescue involving a private plane (was it "The Birdman"). The dramatic music score that played while the squad truck was en-route on call, I recall hearing in other TV shows and some cartoons. My memory played tricks on me, for a while I thought Rory Calhoun played the part of Wes Cameron but it was actually Jim Davis. Guess in my mind they looked alike. Like others in this blog, I too was very influenced by this show. I later became a firefighter, a National Registered EMT, Army Medic Instructor, and a founding member of the National Assoication of EMTs. We should be ever mindful of the powerful nature of television that can influence young minds for good or bad.

I remembered this show from when I was a small child. Today I am a Battalion Chief with a Fire Department in Florida. Who says TV doesn't influence kids? I would like to find out if any of the series is available on VHS or DVD. I can still see that van they drove with the "bubblegum machine" red light. While rescue in the fire service has become much more technical; specialized teams, paramedics, modern equipment, the equipment and techniques used in this show are still the basis for what we do today. I would also like to find out what kind of van was used in this show and are there any photos available from any scenes of the show.

I guess this show was a major factor in my becoming a vol. firefighter & EMT-CC.It was the only show that I would get upset about if I missed it. I even remember part of the introduction: "Rescue 8, one of the 27 such teams attached to the LA County Fire Department".Many people familiar with Emergency! don't believe this actually was it's predecessor. I still contend Rescue 8 was much more realistic than any Rescue 8 or Squad 51 shows.I sure do miss it. :(I've been searching the internet, albeit in vain, for actual videos from the show. If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd sure appreciate it.