Ep 20. The Floor Brigade

Emergency! was a popular television show that was set in the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Station 51, and showcased the daily challenges and triumphs of a group of first responders, including the paramedics, firefighters, and EMTs who provided medical assistance across LA. The show first aired in 1972 and went on to run for six seasons, with a total of 140 episodes.

Season 3, Episode 20 of Emergency! is called 'The Floor Brigade.' The episode opens with a busy day at Station 51, with firefighters extinguishing a fire in a downtown skyscraper. The team gets a call to head over to a furniture store where flames had erupted in the basement. Once they arrive, it becomes clear that the fire is massive, and the firefighters need to not just contain the inferno but also make sure all the store's employees and customers are evacuated safely.

While everyone is rushing to save the building from the oncoming blaze, firefighter Mike Stoker notices a group of individuals wearing blue coveralls and hard hats. He recognizes them as Floor Brigade - a volunteer group dedicated to protecting furniture stores in the area. They were created by the store owners and are responsible for guarding the store, in the event of a fire. As the Floor Brigade attempts to put out the flames themselves, firefighter Stoker realizes that their attempts to extinguish the fire will only make it worse.

As the team at Station 51 and the Floor Brigade start communicating, the firefighters stress the importance of leaving the firefighting to the professionals. However, the Floor Brigade is adamant that they have the skills to handle the situation. Meanwhile, one of the store's employees is trapped in the basement, and it's up to the firefighters to rescue them quickly.

As the fire rages on, the Station 51 team realizes that they need to compartmentalize the situation and ensure everyone is doing what they're good at. They ask the Floor Brigade to help evacuate employees and customers while they work on rescuing the trapped employee. Once all the workers are safely outside, the firefighters can then focus on fighting the fire and ultimately extinguish the flames.

Throughout the episode, tension arises between the Floor Brigade and the firefighters over who's responsible for ensuring everyone's safety. However, they ultimately come to a mutual understanding that everyone has a role to play in disaster situations, and teamwork is the only way to get through it all. The Floor Brigade receives recognition and thanks for their assistance, while the Station 51 team is praised for their quick and efficient work in putting out the fire.

Overall, the episode highlights the importance of first responders while acknowledging the contributions of civilians who, in their eagerness to help, can sometimes create roadblocks. With a powerful message of teamwork and collaboration, The Floor Brigade is an episode that leaves viewers with a sense of admiration for those who put their lives on the line every day to save others.