20,000 alarms : the memoirs of New York's most decorated fireman

by Richard R. Hamilton

"I started to climb. One rung, two rungs, three. My red plastic gloves were sticking to the rungs of the metal ladder. I couldn't tell if it was gloves or skin. Then the hot wind caught me again. This was a blowtorch scented with death. I could smell my own hair burning. . . ." Lieutenant Richard Hamilton is the most decorated fireman in New York history. When he retired, his badge, No. 51, was also retired—the first time that a badge has ever been retired from service. This is Richard Hamilton's story of his 24 years in the Fire Department—a story of danger, fear, courage, ingratitude, honor, satisfaction. In it, he vividly describes-the dramatic rescues that won him 19 medals. In the old apartments, the heat of fire melts the layers of paint on the walls and ceilings. When it gets soft it runs and drips and ignites as Valls, little balls of fire with orange tails raining down like hundreds of incendiary bombs. I felt one land on my neck and burn its way down under the collar of my shirt. . . ." In 1960 Hamilton struggled through an inferno of flames and poisonous gases engulfing the aircraft carrier Constellation in the Brooklyn Navy Yard to reach four workers trapped below decks. In 1974 he fought his way into the basement of a warehouse ablaze with burning tires to rescue two trapped firemen. Time and time again, he risked his life to save others. Along the way to becoming a legend to his fellow firemen, Hamilton descended into deep fiery holes and scaled ledges high above the ground; he sawed victims out of smashed subway cars and dove into numbing cold waters to pull people out of a sunken auto; he suffered painful injuries and had the officer he most admired die in his arms. "There is lust no way of telling a young fireman how hot his ears will feel in the middle of a roaring fire. And there's no way to tell him what the screams of a dying person will sound like the first time he hears them."

249 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[May Ling]

I knew nothing about this book when it came across my way. I don't know that it's Shakespeare or literarily great. However, it is an excellent story and for that reason I feel strongly it should receive all 5 stars for it's particular niche within autobiography.

The book is about the career of one of NY's finest, most highly decorated fire fighters. Aside from providing solid advice that I would expect any young firefighter would want to know from a seasoned veteran of the craft, it also gives a very real depiction of a man throughout the various stages of his career, his hopes, his fears, his uncertainties, etc. Despite all of the heroic deeds, you get the sense this is a very relate-able person. That is pretty amazing to accomplish given the nature of the work.

So many other books of American heroes read as a resume of all the positive. There is a truthful, humility to this piece as the author points out where he made mistakes, miscalculations, had questions of his own judgment, and even realized he was being stubborn against the evidence. That really take a lot of character.

I recommend to everyone

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding memoir of life in a FDNY firehouse.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was appropriate that I read this book, as my best friend just became a fireman. It’s fifty years old but feels just as relevant to our day.I knew it was dangerous work but I can see even more so now. I’m a little more concerned about my friend but this was still among the best books I’ve read this year.

[Lloyd Kerns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone please reprint this! I found a pdf and am so glad I did, but I’d love to have a paperback copy to share. The storyline, the writing, the action, drama, humor made this a quick and engaging read. I can’t imagine any fireman reading this and not loving it.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Modest, leisurely-paced autobiography (currently out of print) of a veteran Brooklyn firefighter who served with distinction during the 50's and 60's.

[Karl H · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best free book. I ever found. Richard wrote. Reality of FDNY experience.