Sirens: Inside the Shadow World of First Responders

by Martin McKenzie-Murray

'Courageous and deeply moving.' —Sarah Krasnostein, author of The Trauma Cleaner

Three first responders – a paramedic, a police officer and a firefighter – are motivated by a desire to serve the community. But they are drawn to their work by more complicated impulses as well: a need for control, an acute awareness of danger, and childhood experiences they are still running from.

Peter, a paramedic, served at high-profile disasters including the Port Arthur massacre and the Beaconsfield mine collapse. Despite helping countless people, he is haunted by the lives he couldn't save.

Tara, a firefighter, experienced devastating loss at a young age. She found camaraderie in the fire brigade, but also confronting reminders of her past.

Brett, a police officer, survived childhood neglect and abuse. Policing offered a way to impose order, but it eventually forced him to question his rigid moral view of the world.

In telling their stories, Martin McKenzie-Murray draws on his own experience and his research into trauma and recovery to ask profound questions about human motivation and survival. What draws people to these intense professions, and how does their work reshape them? And what happens when their carefully built walls between past and present, personal and professional, start to crumble?

'In these intimate portraits, Martin McKenzie-Murray gives us rare insights into the universal human need to seek safety in an unjust world and the life-saving powers of our infinite capacity for meaning-making. A complex, courageous and deeply moving work.' —Sarah Krasnostein, author of The Trauma Cleaner

'In this compelling and unputdownable work, Martin McKenzie-Murray draws three tenderly observed portraits of lives – and selves – forever altered by trauma. Deeply moving, compassionate and written with fierce intelligence, Sirens is McKenzie-Murray at his best.' —Ariane Beeston, author of Because I'm Not Myself, You See

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2026

About the author

Martin McKenzie-Murray is The Saturday Paper's associate editor and a staff writer for The Monthly. He is a two-time Walkley finalist and winner of the Melbourne Press Club's Quill Award for commentary. He has worked as a teacher, speechwriter, columnist for The Age and adviser to the chief commissioner of Victoria Police. His first book, A Murder Without Motive, was shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Awards for crime writing. His second, The Speechwriter, won the Russell Prize for Humour Writing.

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sirens was not really what I expected it to be. While I thought it would address the trauma and PTSD that is an intrinsic part of a first responders life, it also delves into what it is that drives people to seek out careers as first responders and weirdly, that also tends to be trauma and PTSD.

I urge anyone who decides to read this book to take the content warning at the beginning to heart. While you think you might be prepared for the content of this book considering the focus of it's narrative, it was, frankly, even a little bit surprising to me at how graphic and upsetting some of the content was.

McKenzie-Murray dives into the lives of a paramedic, a cop and a firefighter in this book. He looks at their childhoods and what lead them to pursuing careers as first responders, and then their careers and how they ended. Each shares stories of a horrific nature that are almost hard to imagine even witnessing once let alone multiple occasions. McKenzie-Murray's writing is engaging and truly brings these people to life, in a few pages I feel like I knew them, I was invested in their stories and their outcomes.

It's a book that despite its narrow focus has a universal interest. The ways in which trauma ripples out affecting not just those who experienced it but the lives of those who surround those who experience it.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Nancy Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very intelligent investigation of the psychological toll on first responders. Told via case histories that draw you in.

[Lyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written account of the lives of three first responders. Police officer, Paramedic and Fire Fighter. The insights into why they each chose the profession they did, how it impacted their lives, and how they all are living and coping in retirement. Although they each had a deep desire to serve their community, none of them had easy beginnings in life. How this related to their chosen careers is extremely interesting.
I appreciate each of them for their honesty, courage and vulnerability in sharing their stories with the author.
Respect and gratitude.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sirens is one of the most human books I've read about first responders. Rather than focusing on the emergencies themselves, Martin McKenzie-Murray explores the people who answer the call and the trauma, purpose, and personal histories that brought them there.

Following a paramedic, a firefighter, and a police officer, the book asks why some people are drawn to careers that expose them to humanity at its absolute worst, and what that constant exposure takes from them over time. Compassionate, honest, and deeply affecting, this is essential reading for anyone who wants to better understand the men and women behind the sirens.

[Caroline Poole · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you consider that this book looks in depth at only three first responder experiences you start to understand the depth and complexity of the impact of the work they do on their own lives. Added to that their own early life experiences this book is a very personal, honest and harrowing read. Your respect and gratitude to them increases. The author has been very caring in his research and telling yet still gives such insight into all their worlds.
Fascinating, compelling and educating.

[Great Escape Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our Review…

In this incredible non-fiction work, author Martin McKenzie Murray shares the perspectives of first responders with an honesty and vulnerability that heralds their voices.

A paramedic, a police officer and a firie. All motivated by the desire to help others, all propelled by a compulsion to serve and all profoundly impacted by the job.

Peter the paramedic has attended some of the highest stake’s jobs in Australian history, from Port Arthur to the Beaconsfield mine disaster.

Tara, a fire-fighter who found a family amongst colleagues, shares a childhood trauma that shadows her days.

Brett, a police officer who used the rigidity and rules of the force to bring healing to his own brokenness.

In this deeply moving, incredibly human and vulnerable collection of stories we read the inner thoughts and experiences of these first responders. It is a fascinating work that draws on the authors on own experience and history to explore themes of inner strength, resilience, and trauma.

Perfect for anyone who is fascinated by true stories, this would make a great book for upcoming father’s day or anyone who loves non-fiction.

Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books

[Harrison Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, but not a memorable one for me.

While there were definitely moments throughout the book that were powerful, confronting and thought provoking, I found myself struggling to get through it at times. The pacing felt very slow and I often struggled to maintain momentum and stay fully engaged in the story.

The subject matter was interesting and I can appreciate the insight it provided, but I never found myself completely invested in the book or the people it followed.

I’m glad I read it, but it wasn’t a book that will stick with me for very long.

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tender, intimate examination of the cost borne by those who dedicate themselves to keeping others safe, and the wounds that led them there.

I love McKenzie-Murray’s work, but I’m glad he’s not more prolific. I couldn’t take it.

[Tracy Hollen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Christabella Iuliano · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5