07/11/2026
Well said…
We join the fire and emergency medical services community in mourning the passing of Randy Mantooth, best known for his portrayal of Firefighter-Paramedic Johnny Gage on the groundbreaking television series Emergency!
Beginning in 1972, Johnny Gage and Roy DeSoto introduced millions of Americans to a new model of emergency care: highly trained paramedics responding from the fire station and bringing advanced medical treatment directly to the patient. The series helped the public understand and support the emerging paramedic profession, while inspiring generations of firefighters, EMTs and paramedics to serve their communities.
That history has a special connection to El Dorado County. In July 1977, some of the first ambulance service agreements on the West Slope were established with the Po***ck Pines Fire Protection District and the Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District. The service established in Po***ck Pines—and later carried forward through the former Po***ck Pines-Camino Fire Protection District—helped build the foundation for the fire-based paramedic and ambulance system serving our communities today.
While Randy Mantooth portrayed a paramedic on television, his commitment to EMS continued long after the series ended. He became a respected advocate for firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical services professionals across the country.
His legacy lives on each time a firefighter-paramedic answers the call, brings advanced care to someone in need and carries forward the mission that Emergency! helped introduce to the nation.
Rest in peace, Randy Mantooth. Thank you for helping tell the story of paramedicine—and for inspiring generations to become part of it. We'll take it from here. Squad 51 clear. KMG-365