This show was truly a family affair because Julie London was at the time married to Bobby Troup and had been hired by her previous husband Jack Webb, who was the series' creator and producer.
The radio call sign KMG365, which is said whenever Station 51 is responding to a call, is still a valid FCC call sign licensed to the LACoFD. It appears on the station patches for the crew at Station 127, which was used as the filming location for Station 51.
The series is popularly credited for encouraging the widespread adoption of paramedic programs across North America.
John Gage was based on Battalion Chief Jim Page, who helped create the firefighter/paramedic program for LACoFD. Executive Producer Jack Webb wanted to name the character after Page, but he declined. Jim Page died on Saturday, September 4, 2004, and Randolph Mantooth was one of the speakers at his memorial.
Kevin Tighe and Randolph Mantooth came to be best friends while working on the series, and have remained so since the show's ending. Tighe, in fact, served as Best Man for Mantooth's wedding in 2002.