The show was never originally intended to be a full-blown series - it initially was a one-time special. However, the popularity and high ratings from it led to it becoming a full show, which of course, lasted for several years.
The show outlasted many of its similarly-themed contemporaries because, by host William Shatner's own admission, the focus was on "success stories" with happy endings.
A pinball machine based on the series was released in the mid 90s.
In the New Zealand broadcasts of the program, William Shatner appeared before the intro sequence telling viewers that the emergency number to dial in New Zealand is 1-1-1.
According to the show's creators, it was never intended as a life-saving tool.