INTRODUCTION

When you work on the Police Rescue squad, trouble finds you. There are no slow days. No easy jobs. Every time the phone rings, it's a new emergency.

Police Rescue is a unique blend of character driven drama and fast paced action adventure. The Police Rescue Squad are the real heroes of the Police Service and handle a strikingly wide range of work from road accidents to train disasters to the prevention of suicides - the Squad are constantly laying their lives on the line to save others. The series deals with the dramas that surround rescue work, the unique characters attached to it and the humour of the after-hours lives of the Squad's colourful personalities. Stunningly filmed action sequences in and around Sydney, tender and engaging personal stories at its centre, Police Rescue is a series that will keep you on the edge of your seat - and touch your heart.

Filmed on location around Sydney, Police Rescue was one of Australia's most loved and multi-award winning drama series. Made with the guidance of the real NSW Police Rescue department, the dynamic stunts and action sequences are breathtakingly realistic

SYNOPSIS of Episode "Mates" - submitted by Elaine H. (March 1999)
Steve McClintock, a member of a unit called Police Rescue that performs emergency services in Sydney, Australia, is having a crisis in his personal life. In anguish over his separation from his wife and the loss of contact with his two sons, he briefly contemplates suicide by jumping from a bridge.
Fortunately he comes to his senses, and returning home he is called back to work to assist the overburdended and understaffed crew. His assignment is to save a man from attempting to jump from a posh office building overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Inside this huge professional office building, Robert Harrison, a wealthy business man has been having a crisis of his own. He too, is separated from his wife and in a scene with his two sons it is sadly apparent that they hold very little love or respect for their father. Writing notes to his secretary and business associates, he locks himself on the balcony and prepares to jump from the 53rd floor.

Arriving on the scene with the Rescue Squad, Steve tries to reason with Harrison, but this tactic does not work, and he becomes more desperate!  Finally they put his son on the intercom which catches him off guard, and Steve is able to pull him away from the edge. We see the unhappiness on his face as he confronts his son who chides his father for having embarrassed him.
Later Bob Harrison arrives at Steve's door with a bottle of Scotch and to thank him for saving him, and they end up having lunch in an expensive restaurant. Steve is overwhelmed by Bob's wealth and tries to make sense of his reasons for suicide. Bob says he has done it all and has everything, but with the turmoil in his life there is nothing left for him.

He has no challenges, he only makes money! This completely confounds Steve for he sees him as someone who has so much to live for, why would he want to 'top' himself! Coming home from work that evening Steve appears lonely and unhappy, and in an attempt at finding a buddy he calls Bob to see if he will join him in a drink. They indulge in a bout of heavy drinking with Steve again questioning Bob about his reasons for suicide. Bob says what Steve is really saying is that *he* was thinking of doing the same thing. Steve agrees that Bob is right, and that he is just like the rest of the 'nutters'. Bob says he is not like the rest, because he can come up with *more* reasons to stay alive! In an aborted attempt at a 'jump' together, Steve realizes that Bob is right, but it seems as if he believes that Bob too,will change his life. Bob says no, some people can't change.

At work with the Rescue Squad the next day, Steve is sent on a 'body pick-up' near the ocean. At the bottom of the cliff is a broken body of a man---with the sudden horror of recognition Steve realizes who it is. He turns the body over and the cold, wet, sand-covered face is that of Robert Harrison! Steve is gripped with frustrated anger and he sputters, "You---you....!" He seems to say, "How could you do this? I thought we were Mates?" Another member of the Squad hands him a note found on the body addressed to him. It reads: "Thanks for giving me one more day...it was worth it."