Robert A. Cinader, also known as RAC, was born on November 10, 1924, in New York City. He attended prestigious Townsend Harris, an experimental prep school open only to public school students with extremely high IQs. After being drafted into the army during World War II, where he served as a logistics expert, he returned to New York University and completed a four-year course in two years.
Encouraged by a college professor to try his hand at writing, Bob did some freelance work and then took a position in the research division of Holiday Magazine. He later joined the publications division of the United Nations, where he quickly advanced to department head. During this time, he met his wife, actress Jean Aubuchon.
In 1956, Bob joined California National Productions (CNP),a subsidiary of the National Broadcasting Company, in New York. One of his projects was distribution of Badge 714, the syndicated title for the original Dragnet (1951) series. He was appointed Vice-President of Programming at CNP and took his family to California, where he created The Silent Service (1957),a submarine series that initiated outstanding new close-up techniques.
Bob went on to create two new series, Union Pacific (1958) and Boots and Saddles (1956),with Gardner McKay. He then joined the Hal Roach Studios, putting together television packages. In 1962, he was appointed Vice-President and General Manager of the "Red Skelton Studios" and remained there until the studio was sold to CBS.
After his tenure at Red Skelton Studios, Bob joined Mark VII Ltd. at Universal as producer of Dragnet 1967 (1967). He became deeply involved with the Los Angeles Police Department, working on story ideas in connection with the show. While working on "Dragnet", Bob conceived a show about two uniformed police officers, something that hadn't been done before, and Adam-12 (1968) was born.
In 1972, Bob created and executive produced Emergency! (1972). The show was an immediate success and continued to be watched by large audiences until the day it left the air in 1978. From the first half-season in 1971 to the last season of six two-hour specials in 1978, Bob's genius guided the writers, actors, and production crew.
During his leadership, Bob became intimately involved in the Los Angeles County paramedic program. His involvement and commitment were so intense and his study of emergency services so thorough that he became an expert in the field. He eventually used his expertise to formally advise county government when he was appointed to the County Emergency Medical Services Commission.
In recognition of his extraordinary public service, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pay special tribute to Bob by naming Fire Station 127 in Carson, the home station of "Emergency!", as the Robert A. Cinader Memorial Fire Station.
