To Ride a Red Engine - Wilson, David

. .

Résumé :
This book tells you what it is like to do just that. The author, who served for twenty-seven years at busy inner-London fire stations, gives a fascinating account of his life as a London Fireman. From attending the biggest fire in post-war London to achieving the Chief Officer's Commendation for bravery, this book takes you through the highs of saving lives to the lows of multiple child deaths. Skillfully blending drama with farce, it will have you chuckling out loud. Described in American reviews as, 'the best first-person account of firefighting ever!' WARNING: NOT RECOMMENDED FOR LONG TRAIN OR AEROPLANE JOURNEYS, WHERE CONTINUOUS CHUCKLING OUT LOUD MIGHT BE CONSIDERED ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR....

Biographie:
To Ride a Red Engine is a first person account told by a fireman who served in the years 1960 and 1970 at some of the busiest fire stations in London. Detailing the fire in which eight persons were rescued down ladders, and then the account of the fire in which the most persons were rescued by the brigade at one fire. Then a couple of chapters telling the tale of a cockney fireman who was serving in the shires a large county fire Brigade. Where from serving at one of the busiest fire stations in the land, to riding at a small village and turning out to the sound of the siren. A very interesting tale told in the first persons style by the author. In an anecdotal style that allows you to dip in and out of the book at leisure.

Sommaire:
Inspired by family, friends, and Emerson's poem Success, David Wilson, a lifelong Nutley resident (LLNR), began his service career in 1974 joining the Nutley Volunteer Emergency & Rescue Squad, becoming an EMT, treasurer, crew chief, training officer, day captain, serving on many committees, and meeting his wife, Dianne. The American Red Cross provided more opportunities to serve, donating blood, volunteering on the Board of Directors, and becoming chairman of building and grounds. David also served as deacon at Franklin Reformed Church. In 1980, he began working at H&R Block as a tax preparer, instructor, public information coordinator, office supervisor, and specialist in IRS audits. He was appointed by the Nutley Board of Education as Treasurer of School Monies for twenty-seven years, beginning in 1986. He prepared monthly audits and financial reports for the district. In 1985, Commissioner Carmen A. Orechio appointed David as Nutley Fire Department fire inspector. Here was a career where his mechanical background from Lincoln Technical Institute, public speaking, financial training, love of people, and the need to make the world a better and safer place all came together. He was certified as a fire official, arson investigator, instructor, Haz Mat technician, fire sub code official, housing official, along with being the deputy coordinator with OEM. His many fire investigations led David to create a Burn Avoidance educational program for all preschoolers, a Dorm Fire Safety program for college-bound seniors, Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention program, and Senior Citizen Fire Safety. He wrote monthly safety and preparedness articles for local papers, radio, and cable shows. Functioning as the damage assessment coordinator, he arranged over two million dollars in FEMA and insurance grants that reimbursed Nutley for disaster losses. In 2007, he was promoted to lieutenant, retiring in 2010. He worked through 2016 as fire sub code official for Nutley Code Enforcement overseeing permits for new and renovated properties and field inspecting for compliance. So You Want to Be a Fire Inspector? written by David and published by Fire Engineering Magazine in 2009. He also had articles in Firehouse, Time, and Nutley Neighbors Magazine. He appears on JOEYBEE.TV as Organic Gardening with Inspector Dave, teaching healthy, low-cost, and time-friendly backyard gardening and bird feeding. A passion for local history research has led to an alliance with Town Historian John Demmer. Together, they do local history walks, lectures at the library, preserve Nutley artifacts, and appear on YouTube. Dave served on the Municipal Tree Inventory Committee. David was awarded by Nutley Jaycees, Nutley Rotary, Knights of Columbus, NJ Citizens Alliance for Fire Safety, Nutley Elks, American Legion, VFW, American Red Cross, Nutley Emergency and Rescue Squad, H&R Block, Nutley Board of Commissioners, and New Jersey State Legislature. ?...