FDNY firefighters are known for their bravery on the fireground, but many have also made a lasting impact as authors. Drawing from decades of intense, firsthand experience, these firefighters have written some of the most compelling books about life in the fire service, from gritty memoirs and emotional 9/11 accounts to practical training guides and reflections on leadership.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration, insight or a deeper connection to the job, the following books written by FDNY members offer valuable lessons from those who’ve truly lived it.
‘Report from Engine Company 82'
From his bawdy and brave fellow firefighters to the hopeful, hateful, beautiful and beleaguered residents of the poverty-stricken district where he works, Dennis Smith tells the story of a brutalising yet rewarding profession.
‘Report from Ground Zero’
Immediately after two hijacked jets struck the World Trade Center on 9/11, Dennis Smith volunteered in the rescue effort. Having spent his career as both a respected writer and a member of one of the city’s busiest firehouses, Smith became determined to use his unique background to tell the story of the disaster.
‘A Distant Fire: A History of FDNY Heroes’
Paul Hashagen captures the spirits of the pioneering men and the thrilling intensity of the events that served as the foundation of the FDNY — the fearless ladder work of Battalion Chief William Nash; the spectacular World Building fire of 1881, fought during a raging blizzard with gale force winds and watched by 5,000 spectators; phenomenal scaling ladder rescues, astounding rope rescues, and the first Borough Call in FDNY history.
‘Rescue Squad: The Origins of Rescue Co.1, Fire Department City of New York 1915 - 1925'
The original members of FDNY’s Rescue Company 1 saved countless lives and set the standard for modern rescue work. This book shares their true stories, from their early days in 1915 with basic tools and smoke helmets to today’s advanced technical rescue teams. Fire historian Paul Hashagen continues their legacy through this powerful account.
‘First In, Last Out: Leadership Lessons from the New York Fire Department’
What inspires people to follow a leader into danger? In “First In, Last Out,” FDNY officer John Salka shares the leadership principles that earn trust, build loyalty and drive calm under pressure — lessons any leader can apply beyond the fireground.
‘Ordinary Heroes: A Memoir of 9/11'
When Chief Joe Pfeifer led his firefighters to investigate an odor of gas in downtown Manhattan on the morning of 9/11, he had no idea that his life was about to change forever. A few moments later, he watched as the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Pfeifer, the closest FDNY chief to the scene, spearheaded rescue efforts on one of the darkest days in American history.
‘The Last Men Out: Life on the Edge at Rescue 2 Firehouse’
Brooklyn’s Rescue 2 has long been known as one of the country’s top firehouses, a model for departments nationwide. Recognized for their expertise and commitment, Rescue 2’s members handle only big blazes where civilians and their fellow firefighters are in danger.
‘Women at Ground Zero: Stories of Courage and Compassion’
“Women at Ground Zero” shares the powerful, untold stories of the female first responders of 9/11, written by award-winning EMT Susan Hagen and social worker Mary Carouba.
Additional reads:
- “Five Floors Up: The Heroic Family Story of Four Generations in the FDNY”: “Five Floors Up” tells the story of the FDNY through four generations of the Feehan family, highlighting the life and legacy of Chief William Feehan, the only person to hold every rank in the department, who died on 9/11.
- “Last Man Down: A Firefighter’s Story of Survival and Escape from the World Trade Center”: On September 11, 2001, FDNY Battalion Chief Richard “Pitch” Picciotto answered the call heard around the world. In minutes, he was at Ground Zero of the worst terrorist attack on American soil, as the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center began to burn, and then to buckle.
- “The War Years”: Captain Bob Farrell, a decorated FDNY veteran, shares firsthand accounts from the department’s “War Years” in the late 1960s and 1970s, when Ladder 31 and Engine 82 were among the city’s busiest companies.
What are your favorite books by FDNY authors? Drop your selections below:
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