Emergency!: The Explosive Story Behind the Iconic TV Show

The 1970s TV show “Emergency!” captivated audiences with dramatic rescues. But beyond the fiction, the show had a real-world impact, particularly its collaboration with Compton, California, for explosive special effects. One episode, “Survival on Charter #220,” featured a spectacular plane crash, raising questions about how it was filmed.

The answer lies in a partnership between the show’s producers and the Compton Community Redevelopment Agency. The agency needed to demolish dilapidated buildings, while “Emergency!” needed a location for explosive scenes. This collaboration allowed realistic disaster scenarios and aided urban renewal.

Before demolition, the condemned buildings got a temporary facelift – new paint, landscaping, and repairs – for pre-disaster scenes. This ironic beautification led to rental inquiries for soon-to-be-destroyed properties.

The production was immense: 100 crew members and $80,000 (about $315,000 in 2016) in special effects. Airplane wreckage, damaged cars, and elaborate fire/explosion systems were meticulously placed.

The most spectacular effect: a two-story house rigged with hundreds of gallons of gasoline, plastic explosives, and dynamite. The explosion sent a fireball over 100 feet high. A glass company was on standby for window damage, which proved necessary for nearby homes and a church.

Filming took place at Laurel and S. Willowbrook in Compton. Due to redevelopment, this intersection no longer exists. Part of Laurel Street became an alleyway. The former location is now east of S. Willowbrook near Compton City Hall.

While the “Emergency!”-Compton collaboration created dramatic TV and facilitated urban renewal, it raises environmental impact questions, especially regarding air pollution. Whether permits were obtained or fines levied for open burning remains unclear. “Survival on Charter #220” offers a fascinating glimpse into behind-the-scenes TV production and its unexpected partnerships.