Fire Officer's Handbook of Tactics

by John Norman

With his fifth edition, Chief John Norman offers lessons learned during his extensive and time-honored career. Chief Norman imparts wisdom and experience by offering advice informed by actual outcomes from the fireground. This guide continues to be invaluable for firefighters aspiring to the officer level and those seeking to promote safety and effectiveness in their organization and the communities they serve by improving their own skills.

This fifth edition conveys valuable information gained over the past several years from scientific research relating to the tactics that we use to the changes that have taken place within our communities. Failure to recognize change and adapt to it places a fire department at a great disadvantage and can cost lives and property.
The community changes that most directly affect the fire service today include faster, hotter, and more toxic fires and significantly reduced staffing in many fire departments. These are inescapable facts. Our challenge is to use the knowledge that is at our disposal to select the right tools, technologies, and tactics to safely and successfully adapt to and overcome these challenges.

642 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1992

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[John Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second time through this book
It’s an even slower read the second time and most of this stuff doesn’t apply to Houston fire department or how we operate. Civil service commission pick some horrible books for promotional exams

[McCalle Feller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow…. Survived.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is apparent that the author was unsure whether he was writing an autobiographical account of his time in the fire service or a fire officer's book on tactics. The book would be fantastic if not for the redundant story telling throughout the material. A concise and exacting text on tactics would be more appreciated over the author's continuous injection of personal accounts.

[Brett Fass · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me entirely too long to finish this book, but there is so much great information in it! I highly suggest every firefighter own a copy and reference it often.

[Zach Houck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its name can be deceiving. This book is not just for officers or those studying to become officers. My brother bought me this book for Christmas right after I got on the job in 2006 and I still haven't put it down yet. I carry it with me to and from work and on every trip I go on. Sound principles and solid tactics. Easy read for those who do not enjoy reading.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great source of info. for all FF's not only officers. It may be dated but many of the most recent scientific findings and so called new tactics are explained herein. I noticed construction types are different from modern NFPA definition - type III is now well known as ordinary construction not as type IV as stated in this book. I would recommend this book to anyone who operates in a FF capacity.

[Brad Tallent]

I'm reading this book for the Firefighter/Engineer's test. It is a textbook, but it is actually really easy and enjoyable to read.

[Marco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. I read it cover to cover my second year on. Really a solid read.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overall book to increase your knowledge