Rescue 911: Tales from a First Responder

by Michael Morse

First responders often don’t tell stories, preferring to keep what happens at work private. Rescue Captain Michael Morse changes that with these heartfelt descriptions of hundreds of emergency calls, with the usual coverings peeled back, exposing the bizarre, heartbreaking, and often hilarious reactions to 911 emergencies.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography, Autobiography

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2017

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is short stories of taking care of patients as an EMT. Some were about people they saved, people they couldn't bring back, and how each run effects the person who has to make the calls on what to do. It was an interesting book, and makes me realize why my niece did the job as a volunteer for so long.

[Ben Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definetly read this book as a type of closure. Closures, in the sense of, maybe I gotta open up some raw wounds and process mine through others.

If you are in the fire service, read any of his works. If you are fire based EMS, read his works. If you are a brand new green EMT or a salty veteran, read his books.

If I had to describe this book, I would say early unscripted reality TV, when the camera would linger on the people that a story was about, rather than scripted gimmicks and fake drama. The drama is real here and it is real people, often unnamed but floating in and out of his life. Their is darkness as well, on both sides. Uncaring politicians and system abusers as well as politics and burn out all season this narrative like a whole Thanksgiving feast.

This book is interesting because it saddles the birth of Stress Debriefing. I can tell when he started, and when he ended, and how he was able to grow into writing it down and sharing it with us. And to that I want to thank this man.

Definetly opened up a few cupboards and definetly made me miss my Brother.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to audiobook.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I thoroughly enjoyed the stories, the nonsensical and often contradictory political views of the author cropping up throughout was off-putting enough to lose a star.

[Mick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bailed on this a little over halfway through when the author started talking about how if we just closed our borders we would be able to help everyone in the USA, but I also agree with the other reviewers who mentioned that this is more of a laundry list of things that happened than actual stories.

[Mousekie Coose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads like a logbook of events, or like a list. The stories are not elaborated on at all, just stated. Not funny nor enlightening. The audiobook narrator Danny Campbell did not make the book better, he sounds like he is constantly choking on something.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! I absolutely love to this book and the author's ability to tell a story. There is even a mention of the Clash! *****FIVE STARS*****

[Dan Stern · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a collection of stories from retired Providence, R.I. Fire Dept. Capt. Michael Morse. Morse served as an EMT/Firefighter before retiring in 2013. This is a great collection that brings to light the stressful and sometimes comic calls he has responded to and that fellow first responders in urban settings commonly do. Morse is a talented author and his descriptions of different situations will move you. In particular his comments on his own Father and the struggles of his Wife Medical issues. Morse gives voice to the frustrations of EMT's when he states " I operate as if I'm part social services agency, part homeless advocate, rolling medicine cabinet, part taxi and occasional emergency medical technician." (p.137). He engages in all of those roles in this entertaining and enlightening book. If you are a first responder you will identify and enjoy this book, if you are not you will have a new perspective of emergency medicine on the streets and those who call for it and those who perform it. Recommended.

[cypher · Rating 4 out of 5]

partial journal of a 911 first responder. tough job, some horrible cases, and for them, they happen a lot. the job of a hero, but incredibly stressful.
in terms of the book, what i think would have made it better is a more complete story, with a bit more information on the side, not just the cases only, which is what this mainly is.

as one of the (very short) entries, this journal also overlaps with 9/11 (a metaphorical, most likely on purpose, date too, as some form of "america's 911 call").

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the views in this book are beyond shocking. Shame, could have actually been a good book if the author focused on the rescues more.

So glad 1) I didn’t pay for this book as I read it via kindle unlimited 2) that I don’t rely on paramedics with views like this or a country that thinks medical care is not a basic human right!!!

Wow, just wow.

[Sharon Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of stories from a first responder who tells of patients they saved, patients they didn't, how he felt about it and how people were effected. Some hard to hear situations but an eye opening view on what they come across in the field. Situations that were told about made my heart go out to first responders. They never get enough credit.

[Lindsay Ferris Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐
Average

Fast read. Some stories were interesting. But the book felt all over the place. I am glad there is documentation of what first responders encounter, I just think there's a better way to tell their story and the situations they come upon.

[Hatim Qa · Rating 4 out of 5]

من الكتب الي استمتع بها هي الكتب الي تدور في اروقة المستشفيات، القصص الي تقرأها عن المرضى والعاملين في هذا القطاع تجعلك تفهم ولو شيء بسيط من الصراع الي يمر به هذه الفئة العظيمة من الناس.. هذا كان كتاب ممتع طحت عليه مصادفة.

[Abby Lines · Rating 3 out of 5]

i found the audiobook took away from these stories. it was almost confusing because all the short stories run together and i also felt there could be more information to them.
its always fascinating to hear what first responders deal with day-to-day though!

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

True heroes. It is not a easy job.

[Vikki Matthews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started okay

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was ok up to the point 3/4 way through where the author went political and started to share his views on American immigration policy. It turned me off and I stopped listening.

[Milicent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting stories for sure, but also a very jilted, arrogant and not empathetic approach to those in need running throughout… offputting!

[Judy Zhok · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think it may be better to read as a book. But in audiobook format, the cases and anecdotes seem to all run together. I found it made it confusing and very disjointed w when listening.

[Ben Rosenstreich · Rating 1 out of 5]

Racist and judgemental… story is incoherent and doesn’t make sense … each story just runs into the next one.

[Bec’s Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it, sometimes I feel like listening to other people doing their jobs and I was in the mood for this one so finished it quickly.

[Christy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audiobook was not enjoyable. Very little drama or emotion.