Chicago Battalion Chief and 27-year service member Steve Chikerotis shares the experiences and stories that have shaped his career and the careers of some of the most influential names in firefighting in this compelling new book. A gripping compilation of 45 short stories and case studies, Firefighters from the Heart: Lessons Learned details actual fire service incidents from some of the most respected firefighters in the nation to convey valuable lessons on safety and risk management through education and awareness. These exciting stories make readers feel that they are on the scene of each heart-pounding incident, and inherently promote the development of crucial life saving instincts and leadership skills while inviting readers to develop a sense of appreciation for the challenges firefighters face.

The Site May 30, 2002 "How will we ever get through this?" is the question I asked on the night of September 11. "How?" Maybe the answer is here, all around me. Not just in the cleanup, not just in the purpose demonstrated by all who came and labored in these months. The answer is in the enduring spirits of all assembled here. That, for me, is the miracle in all of this: having looked horror in the face, we bear the pain without losing heart. -- Thomas Von Essen

This book tells the story of a NYC Firefighter and his battle of life and death of his co workers and himself.

“Be brave. Be kind. Fight fires.” That’s the motto of firefighters, like Hersch Wilson, who spend their lives walking toward, rather than away from, danger and suffering. As in Zen practice, firefighters are trained to be fully in the moment and present to each heartbeat, each life at hand. In this unique collection of true stories and practical wisdom, Wilson shares the Zen-like techniques that allow people like him to stay grounded while navigating danger, comforting others, and coping with their personal response to each crisis. Every life contains the unexpected and the unwelcome. How you cope with those inevitable events, more than the events themselves, defines the quality of your life. Firefighter Zen is an invaluable guide to meeting every day with your best calm, resilient, and optimistic self.

In this rugged account of a rugged profession, Matthew Desmond explores the heart and soul of the wildland firefighter. Having joined a firecrew in Northern Arizona as a young man, Desmond relates his experiences with intimate knowledge and native ease, adroitly balancing emotion with analysis and action with insight. On the Fireline shows that these firefighters aren’t the adrenaline junkies or romantic heroes as they’re so often portrayed. An immersion into a dangerous world, On the Fireline is also a sophisticated analysis of a high-risk profession—and a captivating read. “Gripping . . . a masterful account of how young men are able to face down wildfire, and why they volunteer for such an enterprise in the first place.”—David Grazian, Sociological Forum “Along with the risks and sorrow, Desmond also presents the humor and comaraderie of ordinary men performing extraordinary tasks. . . . A good complement to Norman Maclean's Young Men and Fire. Recommended.”—Library Journal

This book serves as a guide for the seasoned veteran, the new firefighter and everyone in between, bringing them together for what it all takes to have that love for the job. Each chapter addresses the next step in the leadership chain that is necessary for a fire service professional to succeed. The chapters are as follows: Our Mission; The Firefighter; The Company Officer; The Chief; Our Two Families; Sweating the Small Stuff; Changing Shirts-The Promotion; What September 11th Did For Us-The Good and the Bad; Ceremonies; Marketing Your Fire Department; Making It All Happen-Embracing Success; Have You Forgotten.

Fire Woman is the story of how a young woman brought up in rural Wales coped in the testosterone-fuelled world of the fire brigade, where even today 96 per cent of all staff are male.