A former career firefighter looks back on 26 years of fighting fires and experiences as a freelance writer covering the fire service. Rick Ornberg offers not only an inside look at life in the firehouse and vivid accounts of a variety of emergency responses, but provides thoughtful and introspective insights into some of the evolutionary changes that have affected fire departments everywhere. Starting his fire service career as a recruit in 1971, literally riding the engine tailboard, hanging on with one hand while buckling up a canvas firefighters coat with the other, Rick covers two and a half decades of change along with personal insights, in-depth stories, and behind-the-scenes examples of an evolving suburban fire department. He also shares some of his experiences as a frequent contributor to FIREHOUSE Magazine and other trade publications. Includes: The Crash of American Airlines Flight 191, A Visit to "Planet Firehouse," Chicago Firefighters' Strike, From First Aid to Paramedics, Are Firefighters Really Brave and Fearless?, The Politics of Fire, Assignment: Space Center Fire and Rescue, Extreme Weather Responses, What's A "Superman Suit"? and much more