Tom is a firefighter. He loves going to work. For him, encountering the intense, prickly heat of a building fire is to experience the euphoria of fear. He loves the adrenaline rush when the bells drop and the anticipation of what may lie ahead. But there is more, so much more! The best part of his job is the mischief he finds himself involved in, the antics and the camaraderie. It’s the early 80s and life was very different; Tom and his ‘brothers’ split their time between the pub and the fire station, although it is not always clear whether they are on duty or at a party. The fire engine, which they call ‘The Machine’, doesn’t always want to play and sometimes they forget to climb aboard. This is a tale of frolics, of trauma, of nurses, and even villainy. It is an exposure. Are Tom and his compadres heroes? Well, that’s for you to decide.

An unforgettable journey through the daily lives of the brave men and women who have made saving lives their profession. Dennis Smith, author of Report from Engine Co. 82, traveled across the country talking to dozens of America’s firefighters to put together this powerful collection of their own descriptions of their most dramatic and intense experiences on the job. Their stories, compiled here, are timeless testimonies to the human capacity for heroism and nobility. Focusing on the most courageous firefighters, from those who have been decorated for heroism to those who have been seriously injured, Firefighters presents the extraordinarily rich and rugged voices of men and women who fight urban building fires, who battle sweeping forest fires, who perform emergency rescues, and who face extreme danger and risk as part of their everyday lives. Sometimes brave, sometimes funny, sometimes bittersweet or filled with anger, these voices combine to make Firefighters both a riveting adventure drama and a moving chronicle of American heroism at its finest.

The day-to-day activities of a New York City firefighter and, later, fire investigator as he deals with fires, fire-related deaths and criminals.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in our days of battle, protect us against the deceit and wickedness of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And you, prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, banish into hell Satan and all of the evil spirits who roam the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

He’s definitely a hero… But is he the right hero for her? Moving to Cape Pursuit, Virginia, gives Nicole Wheeler the fresh start she desperately needs. But there’s a catch: Kevin Ruggles, the handsome firefighter who welcomes her to town. Kevin is brave, ambitious and committed to the same career that killed her brother. Nicole can’t go down that path again…no matter how much her heart protests.

Read what life was like in Newark's firehouses while waiting for the bell to hit. "Life Between Alarms" takes you into the private world of the firehouse where firemen eat, sleep, drill, and do the housework (someone has to clean the place). The bonds formed last a lifetime as do the laughs (boys will be boys). Members of the NFD appointed from 1942 to 1978 talk about the daily routine of the firehouse, the responsibilities of the housed watch, the unique camaraderie shared by firefighters, studying for promotion and then adjusting to new responsibilities after being promoted, and finally the humor used by firemen to break up the monotony of waiting for the ""big one."" Find out what it was like to be a member of the ""best men's club in the world.""

In Pass It On: The Second Alarm, Chief Billy Goldfeder has once again gathered leading firefighters, fire officers and chiefs from all over the country to share their wisdom and insight through short personal stories, life experiences and anecdotes. Including more than 80 contributors, Second Alarm delivers tactics, operations, tragedy, humor, knowledge, and personal perspectives from a very wide range of extremely diverse personalities. Anyone from rookie to chief (and anyone who knows or plans to be a firefighter) will find loads of great stuff in this book. In cooperation with all of this books contributors, Chief Goldfeder is donating 100% of his royalties equally between the DC Raymond Downey Scholarship Charity Fund, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

When I entered the air force so many years ago, I would never have guessed that life would take so many twists and turns. I would meet colorful people, have ten different duty assignments in three countries and four states, see many nice places, and have some rewarding experiences. With so many different jobs, I would learn that leadership is a combination of being able to follow orders and lead the team with the same enthusiasm. The US Air Force firefighting force is much different today than when I was in uniform. Gone are the converted military trucks that passed a fire trucks; now the equipment is state-of-the-art and the best that the fire equipment industry can provide. Firefighters at all levels are trained to meet standards established by the National Fire Protection Association, a consensus organizations of fire department leaders from small communities, large metropolitan areas, and the Department of Defense. I was proud to have been associated with the firefighters I worked with in those twenty years but wish that I had been able to participate in the organization that exists today. This book is about that adventure and those experiences.

In Challenges of the Firefighter Marriage, author Anne Gagliano, the widely read Fire Engineering and FireLife.com columnist, has teamed up with her husband, Captain Mike Gagliano, to share their 30-plus years of personal experience on how marriage can thrive in the chaotic world of firefighting. In addition, they have called upon well-known and respected couples who share their stories of comfort and guidance for firefighter families everywhere. What you will learn: Aspects of this occupation that differentiate it from any other and how these impact marriage Essential conversations every firefighter couple should have The reality of sleep disruption and how to minimize its impact The importance of healthy intimacy in your relationship Why finances can be such a problem and ways to make it a solution Advice on how to deal with time off, kids, firefighter health, and so much more