Why Harrison Ford Appeared In This PSA For Los Angeles Firefighters [Video]
Last year was a significant one for Harrison Ford — not just because he starred in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, one of the most successful films of all time. In March, 2015, Ford survived a mishap that ended when he crashed his vintage plane into a Los Angeles-area golf course.
Ford did not escape the incident unscathed: he told Ellen DeGeneres in December that he had a dislocated ankle, broken back, shattered pelvis, serious cuts, and a “bump on the head.” In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel, he revealed he suffers from amnesia as a result of the medical care he received. The iconic action star has no memory of the five days that followed his accident.
But Ford survived, in part because of his decision to crash-land in a golf course instead of a more populated area nearby. The actor had reported “engine failure” to the Santa Monica municipal airport before navigating an emergency landing.
Now, Ford has given back to the first responders who arrived on scene: Los Angeles area firefighters. According to The Hollywood Reporter, an offshoot of the Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs Association, the Los Angeles Area Regional Training Group, tapped Ford to star in its public service announcement.
One of the fire captains in the group reached out to Ford through a mutual friend, and the actor was eager to help. Captain Josh Binder described Ford’s reaction.
“He was enthusiastic and really cool and said, ‘Whatever you guys need.’ He’s a friend of the fire department since what he calls his ‘golf accident,’ and he feels fondly toward us. It’s generous of him to help us out.”
Ford was honored for his contribution at a banquet held at the Long Beach airport. The PSA, embedded below, debuted at the dinner and Ford was given a plaque.
Training As One from LACoFD TSS on Vimeo.
The PSA describes the collective training efforts of Los Angeles-area responders in preparation for a terrorist attack or natural disaster. In the short film, Ford expresses gratitude to the men and women getting ready to do that rescue work on the ground.
“Thank you for taking the time to train together and your commitment to all of us, whenever and wherever we may need you.”
As Ford is thanking first responders, his last appearance as Han Solo — one would assume — is only weeks away from digital HD and Blu-Ray release. Daisy Ridley, Ford’s co-star in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, told Entertainment Tonight that Ford offered some heartfelt words his last day on set.
“I remember going in the day he and Adam [Driver] were doing that scene and there was a real somberness in the air. It was very strange and poignant. But the last day he made a great speech, and it was really nice because he’s really great at speeches.
“He really put into words what we were all thinking. There was a huge amount of appreciation. I think he — I don’t want to speak for him — but I think he enjoyed it maybe, not more than he thought he would, but it was so enjoyable, the whole thing. And I think that took people by surprise.”
Although Solo may not be coming back for future Star Wars installments, Ridley is hard at work filming Episode VIII. ET offered some early footage of Rey with Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, who barely made an appearance in the last film.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is available on digital HD on April 1 and Blu-Ray April 5.
[Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images]
