For many African Americans, getting a public sector job has historically been one of the few paths to the financial stability of the middle class, and in New York City, few such jobs were as sought-after as positions in the fire department (FDNY). For over a century, generations of Black New Yorkers have fought to gain access to and equal opportunity within the FDNY. Tracing this struggle for jobs and justice from 1898 to the present, David Goldberg details the ways each generation of firefighters confronted overt and institutionalized racism. An important chapter in the histories of both Black social movements and independent workplace organizing, this book demonstrates how Black firefighters in New York helped to create affirmative action from the "bottom up," while simultaneously revealing how white resistance to these efforts shaped white working-class conservatism and myths of American meritocracy. Full of colorful characters and rousing stories drawn from oral histories, discrimination suits, and the archives of the Vulcan Society (the fraternal society of Black firefighters in New York), this book sheds new light on the impact of Black firefighters in the fight for civil rights.

"Simple text and photographs describe fire fighters and their role in our communities"--Provided by publisher.

FOREWORD INDIES Book of the Year Awards — 2017 SILVER Winner for Photography A celebration of and tribute to our nation’s courageous firefighters and first responders. Paul Mobley has taken his camera on the road again to photograph America’s bravest citizens. In this collection of intimate and powerful photographic portraits, we get a glimpse of what it means to answer the call and run toward danger. Stunning portraits of these brave men and women—chief fire officers, company and wildland crew leaders, instructors, and line-firefighters—are accompanied by firsthand accounts of those who put it all on the line, as well as stories of those firefighters who have made the greatest sacrifice of all. American Firefighter contains the real-life stories of firefighters, from the most rural volunteers to the most sophisticated and technologically advanced metropolitan departments, and it also profiles the children and grandchildren of firefighters who have been lost in the line of duty as they honor and pursue a family legacy. This book is an excellent gift for this nation’s 1.4 million firefighters and their families, for those just coming to the profession, or for any American who is intrigued to learn more about these everyday heroes.

This early record recaptures the history and heroism that has always characterized the firefighters we rely on. Well known among fire enthusiasts and researchers, until now the book has been rare and expensive for a well-preserved copy. Providing a detailed look back, beginning in 1609, it is a fascinating chronicle of a time gone by. 650 engravings illustrate the city when its skyline was much less vertical. This book is referred to as "the firefighter's bible" by many curators and has been a favorite of fire buffs for the last 110 years.

This book serves as a guide for the seasoned veteran, the new firefighter and everyone in between, bringing them together for what it all takes to have that love for the job. Each chapter addresses the next step in the leadership chain that is necessary for a fire service professional to succeed. The chapters are as follows: Our Mission; The Firefighter; The Company Officer; The Chief; Our Two Families; Sweating the Small Stuff; Changing Shirts-The Promotion; What September 11th Did For Us-The Good and the Bad; Ceremonies; Marketing Your Fire Department; Making It All Happen-Embracing Success; Have You Forgotten.