Sept. 6 marks National Read a Book Day, a perfect moment for firefighters to take a tactical pause, not just from the rigors of the job and training, but to sharpen minds and leadership skills through reading.
Reading isn’t just relaxing, it’s about growth. For fire service professionals, the right book can strengthen command presence, inspire leadership and reinforce strategies and tactics. That’s why FireRescue1 curated a list of must-read books for fire service leaders and firefighters, a go-to guide for those ready to level up on and off the fireground.
FireRescue1’s must-read selections
From veteran fire officers to new recruits, the titles in these lists offer something for every rank and role, from leadership and career development to strategies and tactics, even growth and inspiration and stories rooted in honor, sacrifice and the brotherhood/sisterhood of the fire service.
How to celebrate ‘Read a Book Day’ at the firehouse
There are several ways to participate:
- Start a crew reading rotation: Assign a chapter per shift from a leadership or tactics book.
- Set up a station library: Keep a small collection of fire service reads in the kitchen or dayroom
- Discuss lessons learned: Use downtime to share key takeaways and how they apply to your crew
- Learn more below about how to create a “Leadership Library”
This National Read a Book Day, don’t just flip a page — ignite progress. Whether you’re deepening your command skills or finding inspiration in the stories of fellow firefighters, one good book can change how you lead, think, and respond.
So grab a title from the FireRescue1 list, gather the crew, and make reading part of the mission.
BONUS: Read while cooking!
FireRescue1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors.
