Page, Wolfberg & Wirth

08/07/2026

Today would have been the 90th birthday of James O. Page. The "Father of Modern Emergency Medical Services" and a founding partner of our firm.

Firefighter. Paramedic pioneer. Publisher. Educator. Attorney. Mentor. Over more than 40 years, Jim Page helped transform EMS from a patchwork of local programs into the recognized profession it is today. He served as technical advisor to the groundbreaking series Emergency!, which introduced millions of Americans to paramedicine. He built one of the nation's first statewide EMS systems in North Carolina. He founded the Journal of Emergency Medical Services (JEMS), "The Conscience of EMS." And in 1999, he joined Doug Wolfberg and Steve Wirth to create Page, Wolfberg & Wirth. A pioneering national law firm exclusively devoted to EMS.

For Jim, EMS was about people. About helping someone in need on the worst day of their life. That belief still guides everything we do.

That legacy is why several members of PWW will attend a screening of a new documentary about Jim's life at the LA County Fire Museum, which Jim helped establish. The film, titled "This Life, After All," from award-winning filmmaker Mark Jacobs, is expected to be released to the public later this year.

Founding partners Doug Wolfberg and Steve Wirth reflect on Jim's remarkable life and enduring legacy in this JEMS article.

Happy 90th, Jim. Your legacy still answers the call.

James O. Page, a firefighter and paramedic pioneer from Southern California, helped transform EMS over 40 years and is remembered as the father of modern emergency medical services.

07/13/2026

The entire PWW family mourns the passing of Randolph Mantooth. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, and to his many friends.

Randy’s portrayal of paramedic Johnny Gage in TV’s Emergency! in the 1970s – along with his co-star Kevin Tighe, who played paramedic Roy DeSoto - introduced America to EMS. In the ensuing decades, Randy continued to champion the cause of EMS across America, speaking at EMS conferences, making personal appearances, and celebrating EMS responders nationwide. Many of us in EMS – including PWW co-founders Steve Wirth and Doug Wolfberg – spent Saturday nights in front of the TV as kids, and were inspired by Randy to make EMS their life’s calling. Randy touched many lives and we will miss his friendship and his humanity.

We at PWW always enjoyed a special bond with Randy, especially given the connection between our colleague and co-founding partner, James O. Page, and the character John Gage. Jim, who spent years in the L.A. County Fire Department, eventually becoming a Battalion Chief, was a technical advisor and writer on Emergency!, and the co-lead character’s name was originally supposed to be “Jim Page.” Jim, ever modest, demurred, and “Jim Page” became “John Gage,” and the rest became television history. We were privileged to call Randy a friend, and we were honored to work with him on several projects over the years, including the James O. Page Charitable Foundation, now part of the L.A. County Fire Museum, and the film “Into the Unknown,” led by Randy’s sister Tonya.

Randy has influenced generations of EMS professionals, and leaves a legacy that touched countless numbers of us. We at PWW feel his loss deeply, and we thank Randy for his tireless advocacy on behalf of our profession.

05/08/2026

“It’s, in my view, the best helping profession there is on the planet.”
That’s what Steve Wirth shared with WTAE-TV Pittsburgh after being recognized yesterday as one of the 2026 honorees at the Western Pennsylvania Legends of EMS event.

And in many ways, that single sentence captures the impact Steve has had on EMS throughout his career.

For decades, Steve has dedicated himself to strengthening EMS from every angle imaginable. Serving as a paramedic, advocate, educator, attorney, strategist, mentor, and trusted voice for agencies and leaders across the country. His influence can be found not only in policy discussions but in the countless EMS professionals he has guided, encouraged, and inspired along the way.

What has always set Steve apart is his commitment to EMS, which has never been about titles or recognition. It has always been about people. The providers answering the call. The leaders are making difficult decisions. The agencies are working to serve their communities despite growing complexity and pressure.

That is why this recognition feels so meaningful.

As a proud sponsor of this year’s Western Pennsylvania Legends of EMS event, all of us at Page, Wolfberg & Wirth are honored to celebrate Steve Wirth, his extraordinary career, and the lasting impact he continues to have on EMS every single day.

Congratulations, Steve! The industry is better because of you!