A Firefighters Story

About the Book

From September of 2004 to September of 2005, I worked as a Contract Firefighter/Officer in Iraq. During that time period I worked at military bases in two of the most dangerous areas - Mosul and Ramadi. While I was in Mosul, an insurgent blew himself up inside the DEFAC (chow hall), and over 90 people were injured and 23 people were killed. The book contains more than 70 photos of Iraq, including emergencies we responded to and some never-before-seen photos from the hospital during the aftermath of the DEFAC bombing.

In Ramadi I witnessed brave soldiers risk their lives to save their comrades as a paladine (small tank position) exploded form a direct hit by a rocket attack, ordinances (large rounds)were exploding at ground level.

What I witnessed in Iraq made me realize just how important it is for our troops to have access to proper mental health counseling when they return. Thus, I am donating 80% of my profits to a special fund for that counseling. I want the reader to get a true sense of the realities of war. I feel blessed to have made it back alive.

About the Author

I was born in Glen Rock, New Jersey in 1959. After some turbulent teenage years, I graduated from high school, moved to Florida, and began a career in the restaurant business. In 1984 I joined the Army National Guard as a Combat Medic and completed my six-year tour as an E5 Sergeant, two months before the first Gulf War.

In 1986 I began a career as a Firefighter/EMT with the Sarasota County Fire Department. I worked at various stations in Sarasota but was housed at Station 11 for over 10 years with a great crew. We were the 2nd busiest station in the department. 

In 2001 I took early retirement and moved to North Carolina after being hired by the Chapel Hill Fire Department. I was fortunate to be re-hired by CHFD after my year in Iraq.

I love more than anything in this world being a son to my parents, a dad to my son Kyle, and a brother to the men and women I work with at the fire department.

I believe that God puts us in places to make a difference, to touch lives, and to honor people. I have been blessed to have worked with some of the best paramedics in Florida and in North Carolina and have been a part of some incredible emergencies both here and overseas during my 22-year career. I have seen how quickly a life can be taken, and I have also seen too much death. Yet I have also seen God's hand at work.

I am nothing special - I was just at the wrong place at the right time. These soldiers and Marines, who are the pride of our country, are the special ones. Honor means everything to me, and this is my way of honoring them.