Rescue 911

Rescue 911 is an informational, reality-based television series that first aired on April 18, 1989 and concluded on August 27, 1996. Hosted by William Shatner, the program presents dramatized reenactments of emergency incidents, frequently centering on 911 calls. Though not designed as a formal instructional program, numerous viewers reported applying the knowledge gained to real-life emergencies. Two specials, '100 Lives Saved' and '200 Lives Saved,' honored viewers who had written to CBS sharing stories of how the program’s information enabled them to save someone’s life. The series is credited with contributing to at least 350 lives saved through what viewers learned from watching. Its popularity paralleled the widespread adoption of the 911 emergency system, which replaced disparate local numbers for police and fire services. Today, the 911 number is universally recognized in the United States and Canada as the nationwide emergency line.