Ep 9. The Lighter Than Air Man

Emergency! was a drama television series that aired in the late 70s. The show followed the lives of paramedics, firefighters, and rescue personnel as they dealt with various emergency situations in Los Angeles. Season 5 episode 9, titled "The Lighter Than Air Man," revolves around a hot air balloon disaster.

The episode begins with Johnny and Roy flying over Los Angeles in a helicopter when they spot a hot air balloon that appears to be in distress. Upon closer inspection, they realize that the occupants of the balloon are in trouble and need immediate help. They radio in to the fire department and request backup.

Meanwhile, the occupants of the balloon, a middle-aged couple and their teenage son, are starting to panic as the balloon begins to lose altitude. They are unable to control the balloon and are at the mercy of the wind. The tension is heightened as they drift closer to a busy highway, and it becomes clear that they are in danger of crashing into the road.

Back on the ground, the fire department has arrived and is formulating a plan to rescue the occupants of the balloon. Chief McConnikee and several other firefighters jump onto the roof of a nearby building and attempt to reach the balloon with a long ladder. However, the wind is too strong, and their efforts are unsuccessful.

Johnny and Roy are still hovering overhead, trying to come up with a plan of their own. They notice that a nearby construction site has a large crane that might be able to reach the balloon. They radio in to Captain Stanley and ask him to contact the company that owns the crane.

In the meantime, the occupants of the balloon are running out of time. They are precariously close to the highway, and it's clear that they need to be rescued soon. Roy and Johnny make their way to the construction site and convince the crane operator to come with them to the scene. The crane is quickly set up, and the operator begins to lower a basket to the occupants of the balloon.

The rescue is successful, and the occupants of the balloon are safely brought back to the ground, much to the relief of their family and bystanders. The episode ends with Johnny and Roy reflecting on the successful rescue, and the importance of being ready for any emergency situation.

Overall, "The Lighter Than Air Man" is a tense and gripping episode that showcases the bravery and quick thinking of the show's characters. The hot air balloon disaster is an unusual and memorable scenario, and the episode does an excellent job of conveying the danger and urgency of the situation. The episode is a testament to the show's enduring popularity and the lasting impact it has had on the development of emergency services in the United States.