Once known as the "Paris of the West," Motown became synonymous with urban abandonment and arson as job and population decline took hold in the late 20th century. No other fire department has experienced the hardships of the job on such a consistent basis as the Detroit Fire Department (DFD). Detroit firefighters have ridden the waves of unprecedented prosperity and tragic decline. Determined faces mask many layoffs, station closings, and a reduction in workforce. Despite these perils, dedication and the belief in their city remains a constant among Detroit firefighters. The official Detroit motto, "We hope for better things; it shall rise from the ashes" holds as true today as it did when first uttered over 100 years ago.

This is the story of one Detroit firefighter. It chronicles the period of Detroit from 1973 through 2007, which was the start of his career. Join us during those tremulous days of unbridled chaos and arson throughout the city. Many journalists and photographers from literally around the world came to witness and photograph this period. The author writes about a dark side of the city’s history—a period of suppressing the truth about the men and women of the DFD who worked with personnel shortages, beat-up equipment, and for a time, inadequate fire protective clothing. The author recognizes that much in Detroit and the Detroit Fire Department has changed for the better.

Ray Downey wrote the first edition of The Rescue Company in the early 1990s. Building on Downey's legacy, John Norman has written Fire Department Special Operations to take into consideration the earth-shattering events, funding increases, research advances, expanded capabilities, and changes in regulations and standards that have widened the knowledge gap since the publication of Chief Downey's book. Fire Department Special Operations is an excellent guide for agencies and individuals in establishing, staffing, operating, and maintaining heavy rescue units in the many forms they may take. It is also an ideal training resource for the officers and individuals assigned the duties that a rescue firefighter must accomplish.

Becoming A Diamond: The Strongest, Most Valuable Version of You is an inspirational, self-help book with reflections from the author Sivad Johnson's dynamic life and career of service. The reader journeys with him from his early work into his heart for art, through his dedication to fighting fires and saving lives, to his remarkable practices of discipline. The author serves up "defining" and "refining" thoughts in each chapter. He outlines phases with "visions" to evolve into a metaphorical diamond while trekking life's labyrinth of decisions. An avid storyteller, Sivad Johnson appeared on stage at The Moth GrandSLAM, Mainstage, and The Moth Radio Hour nationally. As a keynote, panelist, and member of Toastmasters International, he spoke to youth groups, students, and adults. He also shared messages on T-shirt designs and YouTube. The week before Sivad's earthly departure, he and his daughters visited his sister's family. One goal was to have her begin editing this book, which he had just completed writing.

An explosive exposé of America’s lost prosperity by Pulitzer Prize­–winning journalist Charlie LeDuff “One cannot read Mr. LeDuff's amalgam of memoir and reportage and not be shaken by the cold eye he casts on hard truths . . . A little gonzo, a little gumshoe, some gawker, some good-Samaritan—it is hard to ignore reporting like Mr. LeDuff's.” —The Wall Street Journal “Pultizer-Prize-winning journalist LeDuff . . . writes with honesty and compassion about a city that’s destroying itself–and breaking his heart.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “A book full of both literary grace and hard-won world-weariness.” —Kirkus Back in his broken hometown, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charlie LeDuff searches the ruins of Detroit for clues to his family’s troubled past. Having led us on the way up, Detroit now seems to be leading us on the way down. Once the richest city in America, Detroit is now the nation’s poorest. Once the vanguard of America’s machine age—mass-production, blue-collar jobs, and automobiles—Detroit is now America’s capital for unemployment, illiteracy, dropouts, and foreclosures. With the steel-eyed reportage that has become his trademark, and the righteous indignation only a native son possesses, LeDuff sets out to uncover what destroyed his city. He beats on the doors of union bosses and homeless squatters, powerful businessmen and struggling homeowners and the ordinary people holding the city together by sheer determination. Detroit: An American Autopsy is an unbelievable story of a hard town in a rough time filled with some of the strangest and strongest people our country has to offer.

To mount a successful fire suppression operation, you must follow basic fire stream management principles. This book provides 13 illustrated chapters on basic fire stream management and the theories behind nozzle operation, hoses, foam, maintenance, and tactical procedures.

Based on the popular Lost In Michigan website that was featured in the Detroit Free Press, It contains locations throughout Michigan, and tells their interesting story. There are over 50 stories and locations that you will find fascinating.