Rescue 911

Rescue 911 is a reality-based informational television series that premiered on April 18, 1989, and concluded on August 27, 1996. Hosted by William Shatner, the show presented reenactments of real-life emergency situations, often involving calls to 9-1-1. Although not designed as an educational tool, some viewers applied what they learned from the program in real emergencies. Two special episodes, "100 Lives Saved" and "200 Lives Saved," highlighted stories from viewers who had written to CBS explaining how the show helped them save lives. It has been reported that at least 350 lives were saved as a result of knowledge gained from the show. The program's success coincided with the growing adoption of the 911 emergency system, which replaced individual police and fire numbers that varied by location. Today, 911 is widely recognized in the United States and Canada as the universal number for emergency assistance. At its peak, the show was adapted in 45 countries.