Saving Troy: A Year with Firefighters and Paramedics in a Battered City

I put this work right up there with Report From Engine Company 82. Great read!

I recently finished William Patrick's book "Saving Troy" and was extremely impressed with it. As an outsider who has never worked in the emergency medical field I was afraid that I would not be able to relate to this book.I WAS WRONG. When I finally did find the time to sit down and read, I found that I could not tear myself away from it. Congratulations to Mr. Patrick and his wonderful and inspiring narrative.

Saving Troy is one of the best books I have read this year. It is an important book that everyone should read, even those of us who do not live in Troy or have never heard of Troy, NY. With the gritty portrayal of the streets of Troy, and of the Firefighter/Paramedics that continue fighting to save it, Saving Troy allows the reader to feel as if they are part of the action.

Mr. Patricks book reveals one of the elements that those of us in the services usually hide behind the mask. That of being human and still facing tasks that many others will never have to face. Many of the current and past efforts of TV and Movies have tried to show the glory side, the side that shows everything working out to the betterment of all, Unfortunately they also have done a great disservice to the people who are doing the job. They depict the people involved as being able to disregard the human side of themselves and ignore anything that would injure or destroy that part of each of us. Mr. Patrick on the other hand has attempted, and succeeded in large part as an "outsider", to look through our eyes at the reality that will never make the movies. The pain and anguish of losing a fellow member, of attempting to console those left behind when a loved one passes on. The outright self deprecation each of us faces when we feel that we should have done more, when in fact we had already done everything possible. He shows the sleepless nights and the many small ways that grief and pain get dealt with inside the firehouse. I highly recommend Saving Troy, As a Firefighter/EMT myself it is a great book, however I do caution you to keep some tissues handy. I also ask those of you who can, to support the fine Ladies and Gentlemen of your local Fire or EMS Units. Even a simple gesture like saying Thank You or bringing someone on the line a cup of coffee or a cold drink is very much appreciated. If you have the desire to do more the opportunities are there. Just be prepared to lose a bit of yourself from time to time.

This is simply the BEST work detailing the responsibilities of modern Fire Departments, PERIOD. For those simple minds who think that Firefighters only sit around playing cards until the next fire happens, think again. I know I'm not brave or courageous enough to perform this job. William Patrick's superb narrative has you at and inside these scenes of remarkable, real acts of heroism.