Rescue 911

Rescue 911 is an informational reality-based television series that premiered on April 18, 1989 and ended on August 27, 1996. The program was hosted by William Shatner and featured reenactments of emergency situations that often involved calls to 911. Although not designed as a teaching tool, numerous viewers applied the knowledge they gained from watching the program in real-life scenarios. Two specials, titled "100 Lives Saved" and "200 Lives Saved," were dedicated to viewers who had written to CBS with their stories on how the knowledge they obtained watching the show allowed them to save the life of someone else. At least 350 lives have been saved as a result of what viewers learned from watching it. The show's popularity coincided with the broad adoption of the 911 emergency system, replacing standalone police and fire numbers that varied by municipality. The 911 number is now universally understood in the United States and Canada to be the number dialed for emergency assistance nationwide.