30 Fires You Must Know offers a compelling examination of 30 pivotal fires that remain tactically relevant today. This resource provides a deep dive into modern fire history, offering valuable lessons for firefighters and first responders. By detailing these significant incidents, the book aims to honor the lives lost and ensure that their stories and the lessons learned continue to impact future operations.
While there are thousands of fires that have changed the fire service, the "30" was selected from several hundred that have occurred in the past couple of decades that any firefighter operating today must know about.
Each chapter includes vivid details from someone who was there or has direct knowledge of each of the fires, ensuring a clear understanding of the events. Additionally, each section begins with an overview to set the stage for what’s to come and a “lesson plan” at the end designed to help you share the details with your firefighters.
Table of contents
- Foreword by Gordon Graham
- A Heartfelt Note of Thanks
- 30Fires.com
- Introduction by Billy Goldfeder: We Refuse to Allow You to Ignore Our History
- Introduction by Frank Leeb: America Is Still Burning
Fire #1: Black Sunday Fire (January 23, 2005—New York, NY)
- Introduction
- From My View by Firefighter Jeff Cool
- From My View by Firefighter Brendan Cawley
- From My View by Firefighter Eugene Stolowski
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #2: McDonald’s Fire (February 14, 2000—Houston, TX)
- Introduction
- From My View by Chief Joe Knitter
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #3: Knights of Columbus Hall Fire (February 15, 2013—Bryan, TX)
- Introduction
- From My View by Chief Randy McGregor
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #4: One Meridian Plaza (February 23, 1991—Philadelphia, PA)
- Introduction
- From My View by Deputy Chief Bill Shouldis
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #5: New York Telephone Exchange Fire (February 27, 1975—New York, NY)
- Introduction
- From My View by Firefighter Danny Noonan
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #6: Ebenezer Baptist Church Fire (March 13, 2004—Pittsburgh, PA)
- Introduction
- From My View by Chief Colleen Walz
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #7: Duplex Fire with Firefighter Trapped (March 13, 2020—Gwinn, Michigan)
- Introduction
- From My View by Brandon Cory
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #8: Southwest Supermarket Fire (March 14, 2001—Phoenix, AZ)
- Introduction
- From My View by Deputy Chief Chris Stewart
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #9: Back Bay Fire (March 26, 2014—Boston, MA)
- Introduction
- From My View by Deputy Chief Steven Shaffer
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #10: Squirrelsnest Lane Dwelling Fire (April 4, 2008—Colerain Township, OH)
Introduction
- From My View by Chief Allen Walls
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fires #11: Two “Modern” Single Family Dwelling Fires
- Introduction to the Marsh Overlook Dwelling Fire (April 16, 2007—Woodbridge, VA) and the Meadowood Court Fire (May 25, 2008—Leesburg, VA)
- From My View by Kevin McGee
- From My View by Micah Kiger
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #12: McMicken Battery Energy Storage System (ESS) Explosion (April 19, 2000—Surprise, AZ)
- Introduction
- From My View by Chief Tom Abbott
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #13: Ingram Square Shopping Center (May 18, 2017—San Antonio, TX)
- Introduction
- From My View by Chief Charles Hood
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #14: Cherry Road Fire (May 30, 1999—Washington, DC)
- Introduction
- From My View by Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Kelleher
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #15: Southwest Inn Fire (May 31, 2013—Houston, TX)
- Introduction
- From Our View by Assistant Fire Chief Michael Mire and Executive Assistant Justin Wells
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #16: Diamond Heights Fire/133 Berkeley Way (June 2, 2011—San Francisco, CA)
- Introduction
- From My View by Assistant Chief Tom Siragusa
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #17: Father’s Day Fire (June 17, 2001—Queens, NY)
- Introduction
- From My View by Firefighter Kevin Kubler
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #18: Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire (June 18, 2007—Charleston, SC)
- Introduction
- From My View by Assistant Chief David Griffin
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #19: Yarnell Hill Fire (June 30, 2013—Yarnell, AZ)
- Introduction
- From My View by Captain Joe Woyjeck
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #20: Hackensack Ford Fire (July 1, 1988—Hackensack, NJ)
- Introduction
- From My View by Deputy Chief Steve Kalman
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #21: Woodscape Drive Dwelling Fire (July 23, 2018—Clarksville, MD)
- Introduction
- Our View from Celeste Flynn and Battalion Chief Josh Hummel
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #22: Osceola County Fire Rescue (July 30, 2002—Kissimmee, FL)
- Introduction
- From My View by Lieutenant John “Bart” Simpson
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #23: Walton Avenue Fire (August 27, 2006—Bronx, NY)
- Introduction
- From My View by Deputy Chief Jay Jonas
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #24: PA State Fire Academy Training (October 23, 2005—Lewistown, PA)
- Introduction
- From My View by Chief Pat Pauly
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #25: Englewood Neighborhood Fire (November 2, 2012—Chicago, IL)
Introduction
- From My View by Deputy District Chief Steve Chikerotis
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #26: Ghost Ship Fire (December 2, 2016—Oakland, CA)
- Introduction
- From My View by Chief Reginald Freeman
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #27: Worcester Cold Storage Fire (December 3, 1999—Worcester, MA)
- Introduction
- From My View by Chief John Sullivan
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #28: Vandalia Ave Fire (December 18, 1998—New York, NY)
- Introduction
- From My View by Chief Frank Montagna
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #29: Keokuk Fire (December 22, 1999—Keokuk, IA)
- Introduction
- From My View by Chief Mark Wessel
- Remembrance Training Drill
Fire #30: Buffalo Propane Explosion (December 27, 1983—Buffalo, NY)
- Introduction
- From My View by Commissioner Mike Lombardo
- Remembrance Training Drill