Firehouses become landmarks in a community. they help tell the history of their community and become a part of the culture.
This is true in many cities and towns, including Boston. And on this subject we recommend the new book Returning To Quarters: A History Of Boston Firehouses. This book is a complete history of Boston firehouses including every firehouse in every district of the city. The book includes over 185 photos by suck photographers as Bill Noonan and Frank Fitzgerald. Its a must have for any history buff or fan of The Boston Fire Dept.
Through the years many books have been released about firehouses, with another one on the way. Currently we carry two more.
The Frontline covers over 400 firehouses from across the United States. the firehouses range from major cities to rural volunteer departments and everything in between. Its 192 pages with hundreds of full color and black and white photos.
Also from MT is A Guide To Cincinnati's Historic Firehouses. With proceeds benefitting the Cincinnati Fire Museum, this book is a comprehensive guide to the historic firehouses of Cincinatti Ohio.
Also keep an eye out for the upcoming Photographic Journey Through The Firehouses of FDNY due out this fall.
Many of the department histories also cover the firehouses. These include the Chicago Fire Dept. 1858 - 2008, Oakland Fire Dept. 1869 - 2004 and Time Served Is Not In Vain. As always you can find a complete listing of our history books, and all the books we carry at www.fire-police-ems.com.
And to kick off the 4th of July a little bit early, we're offering free shipping on all orders over $50 from now until July 5. Details are on our website.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
It wasn't that long ago...
A few new DVD sets have been released recently showing fires in the late 1980s and 1990s. While it wasn't that long ago (although I was about 30 pounds lighter and without the gray hairs then), these DVDs are another great addition to any video library.
First, Fire Line Video has re-released two titles as 3 DVD sets for $29.95 each. These have both previously been released in VHS format.
The Boro's Burning series was first released in 1997 by Fire Floor Productions. Fire Line reissued it in VHS a few years ago. Each DVD is approximately 60 minutes and contains heavy FDNY action form the mid 1990s. Not only does it include action footage, but also good rig shots and interviews. It contains 24 incidents in all, spread out over the 3 hours.
Another Fire Line re-release is the Firegraphics Series. This series by Vic Nicastro was originally released in 1994. Fire line re-released it in VHS format a few years ago and are now releasing it as a 3 DVD set for $29.95. Firegraphics includes FDNY footage from the early 1990s, including many All Hands fires. Each DVD is approximately an hour long, featuring 25 fire all together, and has natural sound.
Also recently released is Archived Lawrence & Lowell Fires from Matt Gregoire at Providence Fire Films. Matt always does great work, and this is no exception. This DVD covers some of the most spectacular fires in the Lowell and Lawrence are spread out over 3 decades. With a running time of 45 minutes its another great value at $24.95. Matt has also released Greater Providence Area Fires vol. 21 with 8 more fires from earlier this year.
Also from Fire Line is the Fire From The Archives Series. This series contains fire footage shot for the TV news during the 1970s and 1980s. So far 3 DVDs have been released.
For older footage we recommend the Stillman Collection or Ahrens Fox Library. A complete listing of historical videos, as well as all things fire, police and EMS related can be found on our website at www.fire-police-ems.com. And if you can't find what your looking for, gives us a call or drop us an email and we'll give you a hand.
Do you have any ideas you'd like to see us write about. Email us or leave it in the comments section and I'll see what I can do.
Finally, as Firefighter Close Calls reminded us, tomorrow is the anniversary of the 2001 Fathers Day Fire that killed 3 FDNY firefighters. They provide a much better tribute than I could, and I suggest you check it out. The loss of those 3 firefighters was still being mourned three months later on Sept. 11. Fire Line's excellent Father's Day: the Forgotten Fire can be found here.
First, Fire Line Video has re-released two titles as 3 DVD sets for $29.95 each. These have both previously been released in VHS format.
The Boro's Burning series was first released in 1997 by Fire Floor Productions. Fire Line reissued it in VHS a few years ago. Each DVD is approximately 60 minutes and contains heavy FDNY action form the mid 1990s. Not only does it include action footage, but also good rig shots and interviews. It contains 24 incidents in all, spread out over the 3 hours.
Another Fire Line re-release is the Firegraphics Series. This series by Vic Nicastro was originally released in 1994. Fire line re-released it in VHS format a few years ago and are now releasing it as a 3 DVD set for $29.95. Firegraphics includes FDNY footage from the early 1990s, including many All Hands fires. Each DVD is approximately an hour long, featuring 25 fire all together, and has natural sound.
Also recently released is Archived Lawrence & Lowell Fires from Matt Gregoire at Providence Fire Films. Matt always does great work, and this is no exception. This DVD covers some of the most spectacular fires in the Lowell and Lawrence are spread out over 3 decades. With a running time of 45 minutes its another great value at $24.95. Matt has also released Greater Providence Area Fires vol. 21 with 8 more fires from earlier this year.
Also from Fire Line is the Fire From The Archives Series. This series contains fire footage shot for the TV news during the 1970s and 1980s. So far 3 DVDs have been released.
For older footage we recommend the Stillman Collection or Ahrens Fox Library. A complete listing of historical videos, as well as all things fire, police and EMS related can be found on our website at www.fire-police-ems.com. And if you can't find what your looking for, gives us a call or drop us an email and we'll give you a hand.
Do you have any ideas you'd like to see us write about. Email us or leave it in the comments section and I'll see what I can do.
Finally, as Firefighter Close Calls reminded us, tomorrow is the anniversary of the 2001 Fathers Day Fire that killed 3 FDNY firefighters. They provide a much better tribute than I could, and I suggest you check it out. The loss of those 3 firefighters was still being mourned three months later on Sept. 11. Fire Line's excellent Father's Day: the Forgotten Fire can be found here.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Management In The Fire Service
Recently we've been asking around trying to find out what are the best management books for an aspiring fire chief (and if you have suggestions please let us know in the comments). My favorite suggestion was to watch The Godfather. After you're done with that, here's some books that you might want to look into.
ICMA has two reliable books that have been on fire department bookshelves and promotional reading lists for years. Effective Supervisory Practices is a unique blend of theory and practice based on years of research and experience. Managing Fire & Rescue Services covers the nuts and bolts of fire, emergency service and rescue management including deploying resources, fiscal management and human resource management.
Brady's Fire Chief's Guide to Administration & Management follows the career development model of the National Fire Academy. This text brings a real world focus to management with a focus on history and an eye toward the future. Also from Brady is Fire Service Peronnel Management.
Jones & Bartlett, along with the International Association Of Fire Chiefs, has published A Leadership Guide For Combination Fire Departments. Authored by a team of fire service leaders, this books is a compilation of the best practices and lessons learned through experience with a focus on the unique dificulties encountered in a combination department. It is based off of Jones & Bartlett's Chief Officer's Desk Reference, which is considered a road map of success for chief officer's and aspiring chief officer's alike.
Chase Sargent shares the tricks of the trade it took him years to aquire in From Buddy To Boss: Effective Fire Service Leadership. Written in an easy to read style, this text will help you develop your leadership skills and make the transition to boss.
Finally, in What I've Learned Chief William Richmond draws on his 28 years on the Philadelphia Fire Department to provide insight ond gems to those in management positions or those aspiring to be. The book can be read straight through, or in little bits and pieces as time allows.
For a general look at building leadership, A New Breed Of Leader shows readers how to develop the essential qualities needed to become an effective leader.
There are man, many more management books out there. A complete list can be found here. And if you have any questions, please call or email and our excellent customer service reps will give you a hand.
Also, we love feedback and we want to know what you think. In the comments section, let us know your favorite and highly recommended management books. If we get enough suggestions, we'll put them all together in another post.
We also get a lot of questions about "must read" fire department books. We have our suggestions, but we'd like to hear yours. again, stick them in the comments section and we'll put them all together in the near future.
ICMA has two reliable books that have been on fire department bookshelves and promotional reading lists for years. Effective Supervisory Practices is a unique blend of theory and practice based on years of research and experience. Managing Fire & Rescue Services covers the nuts and bolts of fire, emergency service and rescue management including deploying resources, fiscal management and human resource management.
Brady's Fire Chief's Guide to Administration & Management follows the career development model of the National Fire Academy. This text brings a real world focus to management with a focus on history and an eye toward the future. Also from Brady is Fire Service Peronnel Management.
Jones & Bartlett, along with the International Association Of Fire Chiefs, has published A Leadership Guide For Combination Fire Departments. Authored by a team of fire service leaders, this books is a compilation of the best practices and lessons learned through experience with a focus on the unique dificulties encountered in a combination department. It is based off of Jones & Bartlett's Chief Officer's Desk Reference, which is considered a road map of success for chief officer's and aspiring chief officer's alike.
Chase Sargent shares the tricks of the trade it took him years to aquire in From Buddy To Boss: Effective Fire Service Leadership. Written in an easy to read style, this text will help you develop your leadership skills and make the transition to boss.
Finally, in What I've Learned Chief William Richmond draws on his 28 years on the Philadelphia Fire Department to provide insight ond gems to those in management positions or those aspiring to be. The book can be read straight through, or in little bits and pieces as time allows.
For a general look at building leadership, A New Breed Of Leader shows readers how to develop the essential qualities needed to become an effective leader.
There are man, many more management books out there. A complete list can be found here. And if you have any questions, please call or email and our excellent customer service reps will give you a hand.
Also, we love feedback and we want to know what you think. In the comments section, let us know your favorite and highly recommended management books. If we get enough suggestions, we'll put them all together in another post.
We also get a lot of questions about "must read" fire department books. We have our suggestions, but we'd like to hear yours. again, stick them in the comments section and we'll put them all together in the near future.
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