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I Love a Fire Fighter: What the Family Needs to Know
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| List Price: | $15.95 |
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Product Description
Patterned on the outstanding success of I Love a Cop, this is the first book of its kind written exclusively for fire fighters and their families. Challenging two-dimensional stereotypes, Dr. Ellen Kirschman portrays fire fighters as they really are: complex men and women doing one of the world's toughest jobs and trying to fit comfortably into two families-the one at the firehouse and the one at home. I Love a Fire Fighter takes us on a journey from stationhouse to four-alarm blaze, from a harrowing ride with paramedics to a family dealing with shift work. Along the way, Dr. Kirschman addresses occupational health and safety issues along with domestic concerns including unpredictable schedules, lack of communication, and anxiety. Vivid anecdotes and practical tips show families how they can pull together when job stress threatens to spill over onto home turf, and shed light on what spouses and partners can do to help themselves, their mates, and their children live with the "best job in the world."
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #166293 in Books
- Published on: 2004-08-12
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Binding: Paperback
- 299 pages
Features
- ISBN13: 9781593850630
- Condition: USED - VERY GOOD
- Notes:
- Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Dr. Kirschman's book is a masterful integration of the challenges faced by fire fighter families and the solutions first-responder families can develop to meet these challenges. Her personal and professional experience makes this essential reading for all those in the fire fighter's support network."--Janet L. Bachant, PhD, Founder and President, New York Disaster Counseling Coalition
"Dr. Ellen Kirschman has done it again. Just as I Love a Cop did for police families, this in-depth book brings the world of fire fighting to life. Dr. Kirschman provides unique advice about relationships and family life for those who protect our safety and those who love them. A 'must-read' for fire fighter families!"--John M. Violanti, PhD, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo--The State University of New York
"We often hear the term 'fire family,' but until now, no one has ever stopped to examine in depth what that term really means. Dr. Kirschman offers a unique perspective on the inner workings of the fire service culture and how it affects our personal relationships. This book should be mandatory reading for everyone entering the profession, for those responsible for leading contemporary fire departments, and for chaplains and other helping professionals. Insightful, intense, and immensely valuable."--Fire Chief Ronny J. Coleman, MA, FIFireE, CFOD
"Finally, a book that offers the inside story on the highs and lows of life in the fire service. If you love a fire fighter--or are one yourself--I highly recommend this book."--S. Joseph Woodall, PhD, Retired Fire Department Captain/Recruit Training Officer and nationally certified counselor
"Important and insightful information about the successes and struggles that challenge fire fighters and their families."--Lynn A., wife of a fire fighter
"I wish I had had this book 30 years ago when my husband joined the force! It captures what you go through, from rookie to chief. A 'must read' for fire fighters and their families."--Judy G., wife of a fire fighter
"Ellen Kirschman has made a remarkable contribution to the health of firefighters and their families with this book. She blends clinical insight, real-world experiences, and practical advice to produce a volume of genuine warmth and understanding for those who devote their lives to fire and rescue work. Offering a truthful, realistic appraisal of common motivations, fears, and myths, this comprehensive resource is highly recommended for firefighters and their loved ones."--John Durkin, FireStress Solutions, UK
"This book could reduce the fire service divorce rate. It's packed with valuable insights into the way firefighters operate and the absolute value and support that families give unconditionally. Finally, an acknowledgement of the unsung heroes of the fire service--the wives, husbands, kids and parents. This is an essential resource for all of us in the fire service who juggle family and work life."--Tim Hoy, Station Officer, London Fire Brigade, and UK Secretary, International Register of Firefighters with Diabetes
"I have studied the fire service for over 40 years; the first thirty as a fire fighter and the last ten as an academic. The voices and experiences of real fire service families ring out loud and clear from this well-researched, well-written book. Dr. Kirschman demonstrates a solid understanding of the issues that face fire fighters today. This is an essential tool for fire service families, as well as a great read."--Dave Baigent, PhD, former fire fighter and Director, Fire Service Research and Training Unit, Anglia Polytechnic University
"Dr. Kirschman would be most welcome in my firehouse anytime, for she has a keen overall sense of both fire fighting and the fire fighter. Just as it is not easy to be a fire fighter, it is not easy to be a part of the fire fighter's family either, for the dangers, the issues, and the culture that comes with working in a firehouse are different from the normal workplace. Dr. Kirschman brings the reader to a solid understanding of these differences and how to adjust to them. This is more than an advice book: it is a usable guide which includes lists of important and helpful organizations that support fire fighters. I Love a Fire Fighter is a great gift to pass around the family, and also around the firehouse, for it is meant to bring people closer together. I can tell you that it succeeds."--Dennis Smith, retired New York City fire fighter, founder of Firehouse Magazine, and author of Report from Ground Zero
"Definitely a must read for supervisors and administrators of fire and emergency services, both volunteer and career. Also, this is an important book for professional psychologists rendering services to fire personnel, their families and organizations."--Atlantic OccuPsych
"A very welcome resource for the fire service. Every fire recruit should give a copy to his or her family on the first day of training."--FireWork (Newsletter of the International Association of Women in Fire and Emergency Services)
About the Author
Ellen Kirschman, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and consultant who has worked with public safety personnel and their families for 20 years. She is the author of I Love a Cop and is sought after as a speaker and seminar leader. Since 1991, Dr. Kirschman has provided organizational consultation, training, and crisis intervention to the Palo Alto Fire Department. She lives in Redwood City, California, with her husband.
Customer Reviews
A necessity for friends & family of FireFighters
Even though I completed this book I will keep it on my nightstand regardless. After reading "I Love a Fire Fighter", I feel so much better about how to relate to my Fire Fighter husband. I really feel prepared to handle his highs and lows as well as the dangers he faces every day. This book is such an invaluable tool, and I really loved the individual stories by real-life fire fighters and their families. My husband also read the book and found it highly enjoyable and realistic.
Some good points...
First, I'll counter J. Brown's review above - the book does not exclusively apply to male firefighters, but given that the vast majority of firefighters in the world are men, it does focus primarily on that.
Now, moving on to the book. I am a (volunteer) firefighter, grew up in a fire family, and work as a 911 dispatcher. I'm pretty familiar with this side of the fence. I bought this book for my significant other, who occasionally has some issues with my running out at all hours. I decided to read the book before I gave it to her, because I wanted to be sure it was worth reading and a fair description of things. Kirschman obviously spent a lot of time on her research and has a pretty good grasp of things - not perfect, but far better than most.
The book makes a lot of good points. It goes into detail about a lot of our daily grind, the things we face, and the ups and downs of the fire service. She obviously tried to understand what we do. No, she didn't do a perfect job, but I don't expect that from someone who is doing research and doesn't feel the call.
She makes quite a few good suggestions - learn to listen, learn to read moods, and decide how much you *really* want to know about what we do in our days. The social network (support network, she calls it) is a major aspect of the fire service, and while she suggests working to grow it, she doesn't make a lot of suggestions how.
My biggest gripe? It seems like Kirschman has a bit of an ax to grind about women in the fire service. I'll make it clear, lest someone call me sexist. My mother was a firefighter. One of my best friends is a female firefighter. I really don't give a rat's hind end what gender you are or what plumbing you have - I need to know that when bad things start happening I can trust you (male or female) to do a job to protect all of us.
So. If you're a firefighter, get this book for your loved ones. If you're a firefighter's loved one, you owe it to your relationship to get this book. Emergency services are hard on relationships. This is a good start.
Great Book Every Fire Fighter and Family Should Own!
My husband was a volunteer fire fighter when we met. I had a hard time dealing with constant fire and EMS alarms and the fact that he would put himself in a potentially dangerous situation. Some of the guys on his department recommended this book to him for me so I bought it. I absolutly loved it. I even joined my hometown volunteer department after I had read it to get a better understanding of what he does. I fell in love with fire fighting just as he did. We've been together a couple years now and were married a few months ago. We both belong to my department now and he has just been elected training officer. If it weren't for this book I may have given up on something really great in my life. It touches on all parts of fire fighting no matter if you are a female or male fire fighter. This book is a must have for all fire fighters and their families.
