A memoir from a retired firefighter about firefighting, rescue calls and life around the firehouse. It's not all about fire - that's lesson number one. No,it's a collection of assisting an injured person at three o'clock in the morning, calming a child in a traumatic situation, saving the belongings of a family from the ravages of a fire, seeing people in every heartbreaking situation imaginable and trying to help them, while not losing yourself in the process.And it's about the insanity found in the firehouse - to the author it's the Cracker Factory - and the politics and pettiness that try unsuccessfully to steal the joy from the job. The book doesn't dwell on the nuts and bolts of firefighting, as much as it documents the human side of the job.
This book was the perfect trifecta not only did I enjoy ‘Notes from the Firehouse’ but so did my wife and daughter which is as rare as a celestial event that occurs once every hundred years. The author, D.E. McCourt, speaks to the reader like an old friend that stopped by for a drink. I think what is so appealing about the stories is the author never tries to impress you. Several of the stories (Star of the Day, Accidents Happen, Batman are among them) produced laughter from all of us, while some of the others had us biting our lips to check our emotions. McCourt does a fine job of describing the extraordinary work that is done in the due course of a firefighter’s career and he does it in a voice that rings true.
When Author Doug McCourt contacted me about reviewing Notes from the Firehouse, he didn’t know how this extraordinary group of men and women had already touched my life. My younger brother worked as a volunteer firefighter and a paramedic. As a nurse, my mother spent endless hours helping pediatric burn victims at the Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. And in my former career as a television reporter, I witnessed first-hand how firefighters save lives and homes—as everything burned down around them. I was on set in the WTVY studio on September 11th, 2001—watching firefighters rush into the Twin Towers—while the rest of New York was trying to get out.
Doug McCourt’s Notes From the Firehouse captures the true essence of these everyday heroes—men and women who sacrifice and put their lives on the line each day for strangers and neighbors alike. McCourt grew up in a firefighter family—his father, Edward, retired as a captain from the Medford, MA fire department. His brother, David, is a captain and active member. The author, a Marine Corps vet, also spent much of his career as a firefighter.
What I loved about McCourt’s book was the raw honesty and real humor injected into the stories. I finished Notes from the Firehouse in about two days, with my husband stopping me on occasion to ask why I was laughing or what had me almost in tears. The book—dedicated to McCourt’s father—starts with a heart-wrenching account of Mac’s brush with death at the hands of an arsonist. The chapters that follow describe other harrowing situations in which the author and his colleagues’ skill and fortitude are tested to the core.
McCourt describes this tight-knit fraternity in exquisite detail. As a reader, you feel as if you’ve been given a front row seat—if only for a few hours—to see the real goings on inside the walls of a firehouse. As McCourt discovers, “It’s not all about fire…it’s a collection of things…calming a terrified child in a traumatic situation, saving the belongings of a family…trying to help them, while not losing yourself in the process.”
Lighter accounts balance the serious nature and inherent danger found in many of the stories: Helping homeowners banish a bat problem, the miraculous survival of a dog stuck in a snow blower, and the hilarious account of a rookie firefighter getting a pump truck stuck in the middle of the Mount Hood Golf Course.
McCourt did a fine job with this debut effort. I highly recommend Notes from the Firehouse.
This is a must read for those who are interested in getting a job in the fire service today. Many of the situations described in the book are ones which one might expect to encounter during the course of a career, from being a rookie on a new crew, to some of the horrific, unexpected situations we find ourselves in when we are called to a scene. The scenarios were described with startling clarity and the language used was typical of that used in the fire service. As a career firefighter, I can tell you that there are a great number of books written about our profession. Many of them miss the mark for various reasons, but this one was a home run. This one was an enjoyable, quick read which I cannot recommend more highly.
My brothers and I are an odd set - none of our parents/grandparents served in a public service position (though all were upstanding and inspirational citizens in their own way). Yet all of us have served in some way - one brother recently retired after 20+ years in the fire department, another served as both a volunteer/paid medic/EMT for several years, and I served as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in our county, and am now an active citizen volunteer for the same.
This book was obviously written by someone who has "been there/done that". My brothers and I have all seen our share of the weirdness that you encounter when you see people drunk, stupid, or both or just in need of help.
McCourt's book takes the story-telling to another level, in that it is told in a very personal way and gives us a glimpse into the world that uniquely belongs to the firefighter. Yes, we had boring days when I was on duty, but it is just 12 hours driving around in a patrol car with another deputy - and I would probably be with a different deputy the next shift. At least we could move around our district and change the scenery while wondering if the radio was really working. Yes, there was always the knowledge that there were two long guns between our seats in the car and firepower on our hips that might be needed momentarily, but somehow it is not quite the same as living with the same people in a quiet firehouse shift after shift, getting to know their quirks and foibles, then having a call come in that perhaps changes everything in a heartbeat.
McCourt takes us into a lot of the corners of this kind of work - the odd personalities involved, the even stranger situations they can encounter in the "real world", the quirky, sometimes dark humor that erupts quite naturally as well as the 'internal heroism' stories of people who do this job shift after shift, month after month, year after year for reasons they would probably not be able to explain if asked.
As it happened, I was reading a non-fiction book (one of those that tends to rile you up and raise your blood pressure) at the same time I was reading this book - but this was the one I kept coming back to (and finished first). Its humanity, and 'realness' of the stories was a real comfort to me and served to settle my mind after dealing with the reality of a day.
Notes from the Firehouse by Doug McCourt was an excellent read. Being a career firefighter for the last 7 years, this book hit home with many of the people, antics, and thoughts from his coworkers and the author himself. It goes to show that no matter where you live the brotherhood is strong and very similar everywhere.
Doug keeps his accounts very realistic, unlike many memoirs and stories in the firehouse. There is not much hyping of himself as a great hero and making the unbelievable his norm. In every chapter, I feel like I am there with him, experiencing as part of the crew.
If you have been a firefighter for any significant amount of time you will be able to relate to these stories. At some point you will have similar experiences and reading about Doug's encounters will make you laugh and become saddened by his accounts. It will also remind you of your own experiences and you'll feel the same emotions of your highs and lows from calls, in the station, and your brothers you've spent countless hours with. I found many of the guys interchangeable within my own department, no doubt you will be able to do the same yourself.
I recommend this book for anyone looking to obtain an insight into the life of a firefighter. He tells it like it is, no sugarcoating. If you are a firefighter, you should read this book because it will remind you why you are doing it in the first place and make you appreciate how fortunate you are to be doing a job you love. Take in every minute of it, enjoy it, because it will be over before you know it.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a firefighter? Well Notes from a Firehouse gives the reader a detailed account of life as a firefighter, not only about putting out fires and rescuing people and pets, it tells about what it is like to work and live the life as a firefighter. Told with knowledge and powerful insight into how fragile life is, this is a wonderful memoir of a man in his rookie years to his retirement. It should definitely be read by all. I enjoyed it immensely and now it is in the hands of my hubby to enjoy.
Being a female with no ties to the firefighting world, I definitely did not expect to enjoy this book so much. I actually found myself reading single stories and then putting the book down so I could have future tales to look forward to! McCourt is a wonderful storyteller who is both funny and honest, and I am so happy he shared with us the interesting life of a local firefighter. I definitely hope we hear more from him in the future.
Very well written account of what it is like to be in a career that is constantly unpredictable. Stories were honest, open and at times hilarious, other times humbling. Quick read, it is a must for those who love anyone that is a first responder!
I've been retired 10 years, but this book brought back so many memories it almost felt as if I was going to put my turnouts on the floor beside the truck in the morning. Thank you.
As a cop, I knew little about the job of a firefighter. Now I live next door to a retired fire fighter, and as an MS patient who falls often and has to be picked up, I have seen many fire fighters and EMTs over the past few years. But somehow I had still succeeded in learning little about this important part of the Public Safety sector. McCourt educated me to some extent, and is ready to educate you, if you'll let him. Recommended for you and everyone else. This is a terrific book and I I hope for a sequel.
Reading these 17 stories defined what a fireman does and is. The toll on family and the firefighters is great and filled with emotions. My family fought fires as Volenteer members of their community fire departments. The struggles were the same. The emotional trauma from not being able to save a child or sitting on a pond with a gaff line looking for the body of a young man who had driven his truck into a lake and drowned. These men that do this everyday for 20 years not only have memories of the worst calls, a body that seems much older than chronological age and the lost time from family. They are to be respected and supported by everyone. They might have to attend to you one day.
I always wondered what the routine of being a firefighter consists of. The book tells the story in a real and believable way. The stories vary from routine to riveting, and the characters are normal, hard working people. The victims have every day problems and tragedies. There are heroes in the book. I like that this is a true story. The ending wraps up the book and doesn't leave the reader wanting more.
Entertaining and interesting anecdotes from start to finish. One in particular is very graphic and disturbing about a victim in a motorcycle accident. That said, the rest of the book was very informative on the trials a firefighter faces in the field as well as the firehouse. Would write more but, I'm about to read it again.
I am a daughter of a fireman of the Chicago Fire Department. I have an entire family of fireman family. I thought this was a great read to truly appreciate all that they do. It was interesting insight to their daily struggles. Loved the book and highly recommend it!
There are hundreds of books about police officers, but very few that showcase firefighters and rescue workers.
This book is a highly entertaining and humorous read. It also helps civilians to understand and appreciate these lesser celebrated heroes. I was saddened when I finished it, I wanted it to continue and never end.
Had this been an ultra-macho book about firemen pounding out chili and laughing at the after-effects, or about going to a 3-alarm fire unfazed, unafraid, and swaggering around bragging about their exploits afterwards, I would have hated it and probably not read past the first chapter. Luckily this was not that book. Instead it was a quiet, introspective book that let you see the humanity of the people who choose to serve us in some of our most dangerous life situations, fire and medical emergencies.
I bought the book initially because my family suffered a devastating house fire when I was seven. My mother and sister were forced to jump off a 14-foot roof into the arms of an heroic local passerby. My mother's pregnancy came to an abrupt halt and my dog died. I've remained haunted and embittered by some of the things that transpired that day, and I end up questioning every firefighter I meet in an effort to get some peace about one of those things. That hasn't yet happened and may never be, but I'm glad to have come across a book that left me full of respect for the firefighters in it.
Mr McCourt, in discussing the book with me, told me that writing it was one of the hardest things he's ever done and that he wouldn't have written it had he realized that in advance. I think it's obvious that he gave this book his all, and it's a pity that we will probably not see a second effort from him. The writing is touching and comes across as natural and sincere. I couldn't find anything to dislike about it, and if he were to change his mind and write a second book, I would buy it immediately.
Reading this book was a big change from the many other books I have read that deal with firefighting. All of the books in the past are about volunteer firefighters and not professionals like this one. Just like some of the other firefighting books, there are some very surprising stories of calls that some of these firefighters get dispatched to. Even though I am not of age yet to respond to fire or EMS calls, I have heard and seen some things that are just unbelievable. Just like the author of this book, I have had family in the fire service so I can connect to his childhood of dealing with the stress that emergency personnel go through after tough calls. With that entire said, overall this book was not bad and a different change of pace for me to read over just volunteer firefighting stories. Also I just want to Thank Mr. McCourt for contacting me and sending me a copy of this book that was well written and told a fantastic story.
I'm not sure what I was expecting when I started this book. Actually I don't think I had many expectations at all. I think this book was recommended by Amazon or something like that. But regardless of how I got the book in my Kindle, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it would be about heroic rescues and amazing death-defying feats. Instead it was a very down-to-earth story about some great people and how these very human people perform occasionally normal, occasionally heroic tasks. This book is well worth the read!!
Interesting enough considering we don't get many real life stories from firefighters but it left me wanting more - let's hope some more firefighters from different states start sharing all their stories so we can get a better bigger picture! I hope this spurs them on. I like to read about real life heroes.
Great read about an interesting profession and group of individuals
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It's easy to read and the stories are filled with humor and/or heart felt sympathy for the victims of life-changing devastation. Told through the eyes of someone who has often come close to succumbing from the overwhelming effects of suffocating smoke, each story is an interesting read.
Like so many others, Doug McCourt is from a family who has served in this capacity through generations. His knowledge of the history of the hierarchy and stages of rights of passage are entertaining. In a profession known for having to start at the bottom and work your way up, he paints a vivid picture of that process and the virtues and pains of that growth.
If you enjoy learning about the nuances of different professions in a nonfiction setting, I think you'll enjoy this book like I have. It is a well-written tribute to his father who led the way, his brother who is currently a firefighter, and his fellow firefighters.
This is may be more of a 2 1/2 stars. But I will give it a higher rating because the stories were well told (except for a few grammar issues) and were memorable. I enjoyed learning about the life of a firefighter. It is very ironic, McCourt points out, that fire departments don't have fire alarms. That is just crazy. There were a few things that make this definitely an adult book such as some of the seriousness of the incidents, a little language and some of the pranks of the other fireman. But in the end you appreciate what these men do on a daily basis to meet people in their direst need.
" Notes from the Firehouse" is a well written account of the author's career as a firefighter, following in his father's footsteps and committed to helping others. There are stories of the fires he helped put out and of the harrowing scenes he witnessed but there are also lots of uplifting tales of the camaraderie and support of his comrades. I have an increased admiration and respect for these brave men and women after reading this book.
I know we all probably think we know what it is like being a firefighter ... but we don't have the entire picture. We may have an idea about it's physicality ... but probably never even considered the toll it can take emotionally. This memoir provides insight from someone who experienced it. This was eye opening.
With 40+ years in EMS/Fire I can say this book was spot on. I liked the way Mr. McCourt's writing made it easy for anyone to understand. He defined terms when needed. This book really hit home for me when reading about becoming disabled after working the job for many years. Thanks for a great read.
One of the best books on life in the fire service. As the widow of a career firefighter and as a retired Fire department dispatcher I have an in depth experience of fire service life. This book tells it like it is, while remaining eminently readable. For anyone who loves or is interested in fire rescue.
My father is a retired firefighter, as I read the book I would tell about some of the stories. He would laugh and tell me something about his days as a fireman in the fire house, this is something has never done before. I have purchased a hard copy for him to enjoy and am looking forward to more converstations with him.
In the tradition of Dennis Smit, reviels stories of being a firefighter in a warm and sometimes funny way. He tells both the god side and the not so good side. encouraging you to view the firefighter as a human beings in this great read.
The author brings to you the real aspects of public service in the Fire Service. The joys and sorrows along with real life stories that demonstrate what the job entails. And opens his heart to how it ends.