The Fire Inside

Starred review from June 3, 1996
Firefighters around the country, interviewed by Delsohn, coauthor of Out of Bounds, here present their stories in their own words. The author takes us through fire academies with the probationary firefighters as they are taught to attack fire aggressively. From there we see the "probies" learning the ropes, being hazed by the veterans and finally being allowed to hold the nozzle of the fire hose, the most important and hazardous job in putting out fires. We learn that firefighters frequently suffer from carbon monoxide headaches, that mentors are important, what it feels like to be "cooked" in a fire and survive, and that "putting the wet stuff on the red stuff" is crucial. Delsohn talked with firefighters in major cities and with "smoke jumpers," federal firefighters who battle forest fires. He also interviewed firefighters involved in recent national catastrophes such as Hurricane Andrew, the San Francisco earthquake and the Oklahoma City bombing. What emerges is an emotional portrait of uniquely dedicated public servants that will leave readers weeping--or laughing at their gallows humor.