Favorite Fire Service Books

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Do you have a favorite book on the fire service, like the "Hike Out" about the Philadelphia Fire Dept. or "Report from Engine Co. 82"? List it here with a short summary. Thanks! Vinny.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

WHILE THE FLAMES RAGED. By Emmons E. Douglass. 1993. Published by Engine House. A wonderful book on the history of fire insurance patrols and salvage corps in the U.S. Lots of photos, details and folklore. The only U.S. fire patrol still operating today is in NYC. But Chicago, Louisville, Boston, Baltimore, Minneapolis and other cities were served by the insurance company-sponsored patrols starting in the late 1800s and operating as late as the 1950s and 1960s. The patrols worked right alongside firefighters. Their job: To protect property from fire and water damage. There were many acts of bravery too, with fire patrolmen staging daring rescues and saving lives.

[GTFDLt61]

Code 5
By John Gilhooly.

This is a book first published in 1978, and then republished in 1994. Written about the Lawrence Mass Fire Department by a now retired Lieutenant on their department. A well written collection of memories of 33 years of firefighting in one of Massachusetts' busiest cities.

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[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thanks!

[Vinny Del Giudice]

FDNY OPERATIONAL REFERENCE. By Jim Griffiths. This is the utltimate reference book for FDNY fans. It is SO GOOD, in fact, that the FDNY Training Academy provides individual copies for firefighter recruits.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

ST. PAUL FIRE -- A HISTORY (1856-1994) By Richard Heath. 1998. Published by Extra Alarm Association of the Twin Cities. Excellent history of the fire service and related politics of St. Paul, Minnesota. A great read PLUS lots of photos, rosters, etc.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE. By Robert Cromie. Original 1958. Illustrated edition 1994. Rutledge Hill Press. A classic. Cromie, who worked for the Chicago Tribune, was a combat correspondent during World War II. No wonder this book is so gripping! Lots of drama. Fantastic research. Lots of details on the operations of the fire department and the fire insurance patrol. Like being there.

[Romania]

Fire Command by Cheif Alan Brunicini



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Alan Romania, CEP
romania@uswest.net
IAFF Local 3449

My Opinions do not reflect the opnions of the IAFF or Local 3449.

[JD]

ON FIRE by Larry Brown 1993
A seventeen year veteran of the Oxford, Mississippi FD and award winning novelist, Larry writes in a captivating stream on consciousness style about his experiences as both a firefighter and human being. An easy and engaging read that gave me the sense I was just hanging outside the firehouse on a warm summer evening shooting the bull with a brother.

[e33]

"Tools of the Trade" by Richard Fritz. This book covers almost every hand tool we use today. It tells the history, the uses, the limitations and the modifications you can make in house. Great book!

"The Fire Officers Handbook" by John Norman. Another good book which gives insight into company strategy and tactics. Good reading if you want to better your skills.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Great ideas, gang. Thanks!

[FyredUp]

On the technical side my choice would be Fire Stream Management by Dave Fornell. This goes through the whole hose, nozzle, fire attack process. It's one of the few fire text books I have actually read cover to cover, more than once.

Entertainment wise, I love Leo Stapleton's books. I have them all, 30 Years on the line, Commish, Fire & Water, Jakes, FFOPS and Lufts. Great books, I believe semi-fictional acounts of exploits in Boston.

For that matter I like Bill Noonan's photo books on Boston and the surrounding area too, Smoke Showin' and Jakes Under Fire.

And no I am not from the Boston area.

Hey, I forgot Harvey Eckart's books on Mack's, especially Mack Fire Apparatus, Mack Model CF Fire Trucks 1967-1981 a Photo Archive, and Last of the Breed. Boy I love those Mack CF's.

[Dalmation90]

LUFTS, Leo Stapleton, Fiction (written from experience http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif about a young firefighter becoming an officer. Easy, fun read, but also a lot of good ideas in it. If I ever had to put together a reading list for an Officer Candidate School, this would be on it just to help raise discussion points.

YOUNG MEN & FIRE, Norm MacDonald, Non-fiction (same author as A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT of Robert Redford movie fame), is about the Mann Gulch fire. No smoke jumper died by fire between Mann Gulch and Storm King Mountain, and there are many command & control similarities between those two very hig multiple fatality incidents. One of the few to survive was Foreman Wag Dodge, and one of the lingering questions is why his men did not follow his orders in the final few moments. A "tougher" read, though a better author (no offense Leo, but Norm's an english professor or something like that!), it's on my optional but highly recommended officer reading list.

Of course, we also have Big Frank's Fire Truck, but that's only 'cause the illustrator lives in our town and used our department as the model for the fire department in the kids book http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif

Matt

[e33]

Hey, where can I get a copy of "Big Franks Fire Truck" ??

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thank you FYREDUP and DALMATION 90! Can anyone help E33 track down that book? Regards, Vinny

[Dalmation90]

Here you go e33!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/067985438X/o/qid=942525144/sr=8-1/002-8762381-6226600

more on the book: http://www.mortlake.org/rescue.html

[e33]

Fantastic..thanks matt. LOL

[Jake-fan-tpc]

I agree with many of you that Jakes, Ffops, Lufts and 30 yrs on the line are the best fire books in the trade- but that's my personal bias as i work for the publishing firm that puts 'em on the market and I've had some good chats with Leo Stapleton...need any news from dmc associates? e-mail me at the address shown...my college email account has gone FUBAR!
Thanks,
:-)

[JD]

I haven't read this one yet but I plan to. It combines my two favorite things, firefighting and history!

Cause for Alarm:The Volunteer Fire Department In The Nineteenth Century
by:Amy S. Greenberg

[This message has been edited by JD (edited November 23, 1999).]

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thanks JD. Here's one for you since you are a history buff --> I see you are in Wayne, NJ. Have you ever seen the book published on the 90th anniversary of the career fire department in Paterson, NJ, in 1985? It's got lots of good photos and a timeline. Copies are apparently still available via the union. I bought a copy last year. Cheers. Vinny.

[JD]

Thanks Vinny,
I haven't seen the PFD book but I'll look into it. Maybe the next time we're down there on mutual aid!

[mtnfireguy]

Essentials of Fire Department Customer Service - Alan Brunacini

Firefighters - Their lives in their own words - Dennis Smith

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Thanks guys! Happy holidays.

[BURNSEMS]

Can any one tell me where to find Report from Eng Co 82, by Dennis Smith, I read it along time ago and Lost it in a Move, would like to find another.

[EPFD-AL]

Report from Eng 82 can be ordered from firefighters book store www.firebooks.com (http://www.firebooks.com) or from www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com)

[Vinny Del Giudice]

That's right! Smith released a 25th anniversary edition with a new forward. Cheers.

[nafiresquad12]

The following excerpt was written quite a while ago, but I have been looking for this book for quite some time as well. I have searched long and hard, with no luck. In one of my searches, this forum/discussion was tagged and I thought I would post a request here on the off chance someone would read it. I am willing to buy any copies of "Lufts" by Leo Stapleton. Please reply to this with a contact email address if possible if you are willing to sell a used copy. Thanks!

LUFTS, Leo Stapleton, Fiction (written from experience http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif about a young firefighter becoming an officer. Easy, fun read, but also a lot of good ideas in it. If I ever had to put together a reading list for an Officer Candidate School, this would be on it just to help raise discussion points.

YOUNG MEN & FIRE, Norm MacDonald, Non-fiction (same author as A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT of Robert Redford movie fame), is about the Mann Gulch fire. No smoke jumper died by fire between Mann Gulch and Storm King Mountain, and there are many command & control similarities between those two very hig multiple fatality incidents. One of the few to survive was Foreman Wag Dodge, and one of the lingering questions is why his men did not follow his orders in the final few moments. A "tougher" read, though a better author (no offense Leo, but Norm's an english professor or something like that!), it's on my optional but highly recommended officer reading list.

Of course, we also have Big Frank's Fire Truck, but that's only 'cause the illustrator lives in our town and used our department as the model for the fire department in the kids book http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif

Matt

[Box2565]

Report From Engine Co. 82 & Commish will always be classics. I enjoy department histories and apparatus books.

If you are searching for a specific book I would suggest http://abebooks.com. You can search millions of books and leave requests for specific wants.

Why not come to the Cincinnati area for these events!


March 9, 2007 - Milford, Ohio. Annual fire memorabilia auction. Consignments are currently being accepted. If you have 1 item or 100 to sell, contact the auctioneer. Auction preview Friday 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Auction at 7:00 p.m. Auction information: Howard Kuhnell 605 Garfield Milford OH 45150. Phone: 513-831-6398 or howdi@fuse.net

Items in the prior auctions run the range of fire collectibles: helmets; lanterns, badges, alarm equipment, apparatus goodies, literature, Ahrens-Fox and Cincinnati area items, toys, etc.

March 10, 2007 - Milford, Ohio. 14th annual fire flea market
(Fire related items only). Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Admission $2.00. Dealer set up on Friday the 9th from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. and Saturday beginning at 7:00 a.m. Tables are $10.00 each. Chairs provided. Electricity is available; please let us know if you will need an outlet at the time of registration. There are a maximum of 60 tables available for rent.

Deadline to reserve Flea Market space is March 1st. A confirmation letter will be mailed around February 1st with any additional information requested. Table Assignment, vendor pass, and pass for 1 assistant per table (maximum of 3) will be given to you when you arrive. You must provide table cloths for any heavy items or leave them on the floor. Any damage to your assigned tables will be your responsibility for the payment for a replacement table.

Information: Mark Hetzel, SR 3623 Rio Bravo Trail Cleves OH 45002-2314 Phone: 513-467-1757 or PatchGuru21@fuse.net

Click here for a printable Flea Market Registration Form: http://www.milesgreenwood.org/flearegistration.html.

The location for these events is the Milford Firefighters Community Hall which is conveniently located at the Milford Shopping Center on Lila Avenue (U.S. Route 50 and the intersection of Ohio Route 131 - just across from the Milford fire station!). The hall is at the east end of the plaza. This is a great facility with plenty of parking and easy access in and out (no steps)! There are many hotels and restaurants nearby.