USAR-1

The Los Angeles County Fire Department sums it up in six short words: “Advanced capabilities to meet diverse hazards.” Those six words encompass the differences between life and death. Those six words describe the efforts of Urban Search And Rescue (USAR) units worldwide.

The names of the units may be a little different from region to region, but the goals and the resources of all of them are the same. USAR units supplement existing emergency services units in securing scenes, providing aid, and minimizing losses to both victims and rescuers through the proper and timely use of advanced training and equipment at the scenes of major disasters.

Randolph Mantooth and Hayma Washington are developing stories based on these units and their communities through the creation of a new television series called “USAR-1.” Still in development and currently being presented to the networks, the show focuses on a fictional Urban Search & Rescue Unit modeled closely after real USAR units, principally those of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Mantooth and Washington conceived the idea for “USAR-1” when they were introduced by a mutual friend and began discussing ideas for a new show.

“USAR-1 will be action based, with a kind of ‘Navy Seals Meets Mission Impossible’ flavor,” quips Washington. “But it will be reality based. We want this show to entertain, but to also play a part in advancing the acceptance of the real USAR program. It’s a look behind the scenes of saving lives.”

“Randy didn’t want to remake “Emergency!”, but he was interested in developing a show similar to it that was a reality/drama show,” notes Washington. “We wanted a show that entertained, but was also factual and could make a difference, as “Emergency!” did in the 1970’s.”

“Emergency!” has been lauded by both the public and emergency services sectors for decades for its honest and realistic portrayal of the then-emerging paramedic program of emergency field medicine. The show has been credited by many real-life firefighters and EMS personnel as a career choice influence. In May, 2000 paraphernalia used on the original show was inducted into the archives of the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Mantooth is well known and highly respected as an ambassador to firefighters and the paramedic profession for his contributions as an actor and a humanitarian.

“Urban search and rescue is about training for what might happen. To be prepared for that “what if” that we all know will come, sometime, somewhere.” Washington says “USAR-1” will showcase the men and women in the real-life units through its slate of characters comprising the fictional USAR team. Team members will act in accordance with current USAR training and protocols, guided by expertise and resources gained from real units.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief opened the doors to them, says Washington, allowing them to research the mission logs and access the training divisions. Both also went on ride-alongs (as Mantooth also did for his character role in “Emergency!”) for real-time experience of missions, as well as studies of character development for the makeup of the characters for the show. Through the information gathered, Mantooth and Washington have developed and storyboarded ideas. The show “USAR-1” continues its developmental journey.

Advances in training and techniques are constantly being developed. Washington notes that Hazmat (hazardous materials) was the last major frontier to be breached. USAR is the next frontier.

Stay tuned to this website for future announcements.

When not on ride-alongs and gathering information for USAR-1, Randolph Mantooth is an actor, writer, director and producer currently based in Los Angeles, CA.

Hayma Washington is a Producer/Director and former Vice President of Domestic/International Programming with Buena Vista, a division of Disney, Inc., based in Los Angeles, CA.

Read an exclusive interview Randy did with JEMS Magazine.