In the first series, each episode included two reconstructions of real emergencies, using actors and occasionally Buerk himself, as well as some of the real people involved in the emergency. Buerk was joined by
Fiona Foster who acted as a video reporter. By the second series, episodes of
999 included more reconstructions. Foster was replaced by
Juliet Morris, who also hosted the spin-off programmes
999 Lifesavers and
999 International alongside Buerk. Morris left the show in 1997, with
Donna Bernard taking over as co-presenter for seventh regular series in 1998 and the final series of
999 Lifesavers later that year. Following Bernard's departure, Buerk hosted the next two series alone. New titles and theme music were used for the first time. Stunt performer Marc Cass was also introduced, appearing in a regular segment throughout both series. While recreating an accident for an episode in 1993, veteran stuntman
Tip Tipping was killed in a parachuting accident. In an interview with
Radio Times in May 2000, Buerk revealed that he originally wanted the series to show rescues ending in tragedy in order to heighten its suspense. Producers instead opted for a more uplifting format which proved more effective for the show's success. In September 2002, it was announced that the show had been cancelled and that the next series, which would be aired the following year, was to be the last. The programme underwent a revamp in 2001 to include a new segment called 999 Saved My Life, which showed how members of the public had been able to save a person in danger by following advice given on the show. Buerk was joined by a new co-host, Dr Catherine Hood, who tested members of the public on their knowledge of first aid. The series received respectable ratings of around four million when it aired. ==Transmissions==