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Rescuing Providence
In Rescuing Providence, Lieutenant Michael Morse of the Providence, Rhode Island, Fire Department takes you along for 34 nonstop hours in the life of a big-city fireman/emergency medical technician. Ride through the tough streets of South Providence, the historic mansions on the East Side and the tattered but emerging West End as Morse and his EMS team respond to drug overdoses, heart attacks, car accidents, gunshot wounds, suicides, alcoholics, premature births, broken bones and other medical emergencies that are all in a day's work for them.
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 8, 2013
The author of the book describes 36 hours in his life. We get to learn about the relationship with his wife. How she deals with his work as a fireman/emergency medical technician (EMT). He describes patients that he works with and the partners he goes through.
An interesting and honest look at the life of someone on the front lines.
An interesting and honest look at the life of someone on the front lines.
July 12, 2020
I have been wanting to read this book for years. Mike is an excellent writer and he shares the reality of what it really is like working the streets in fire-rescue / EMS. This book should be required reading for young people who are considering a career in emergency services.
November 29, 2013
Great, realistic read of an average tour of duty in The Ocean State's capital city. I'm priveleged to have met the author and had a chance to speak with him.
April 15, 2023
Tour of Duty
Author Michael Morse is a retired CAPTAIN from the Rhode Island fire Department. This book details 24 calls for the Rescue company. The Calls range from the traumatic to the mundane. The author sees people on their worst days and often times their worst behaviors. For some it’s their last ride in life and others it’s one of many. Michael Morse is a talented writer who has the ability to put the reader in the bus during transport and delivery to the emergency room. The authors job duties make a difference in the lives of those he encounters and well as his own. Infused with compassionate caring and service as well as gallows humor, this is an entertaining and worthwhile read about a tour of duty on an big city Rescue. If you want to know what it’s like or remember when , take this book in. Recommended.
Author Michael Morse is a retired CAPTAIN from the Rhode Island fire Department. This book details 24 calls for the Rescue company. The Calls range from the traumatic to the mundane. The author sees people on their worst days and often times their worst behaviors. For some it’s their last ride in life and others it’s one of many. Michael Morse is a talented writer who has the ability to put the reader in the bus during transport and delivery to the emergency room. The authors job duties make a difference in the lives of those he encounters and well as his own. Infused with compassionate caring and service as well as gallows humor, this is an entertaining and worthwhile read about a tour of duty on an big city Rescue. If you want to know what it’s like or remember when , take this book in. Recommended.
June 2, 2020
A great/must read for firefighter hopefuls
Always wanted to be a firefighter for years. Fallen off my path but thanks to this book, it reminded of why I want to pursue a career in the fire service! Thank Mr Morse
Always wanted to be a firefighter for years. Fallen off my path but thanks to this book, it reminded of why I want to pursue a career in the fire service! Thank Mr Morse
December 4, 2023
I really enjoyed this book - great read for any firefighters or anyone who really wants to see how firefighters work. Michael Morse really hits home on sharing and caring for the citizens we serve :)
June 8, 2016
Please, please, please could this be required reading before fiction (particularly romance) authors write firefighter or EMT characters?!
Because the relationships between the guys, from fart jokes to family gossip, are so real here. The banter between the two partners as they ride to and from rescues feels true and is fun and sweet to read. I love men; these are real men; and, they don't talk or act like women...except when they do, which probably makes it acting human rather than gendered. Anyway, just read it as research if you're an author.
It's also useful if you're considering a career as an EMT, in large part because it's not a 'greatest rescues' collection, but rather tries to show a typical 48 hour, two-shift working week. So you hear about the drunks, druggies and the idiots who abuse the EMTs for free cab service to the hospital. Only a portion of the rescues are people in dire, genuine need, and only a fraction of those are dramatic. The author is also up front about the PTSD, sleep problems and marital strains the job causes him.
I read this because it's about my own city. There aren't many contemporary books on Providence, so I was psyched - that's one of the stars right there. Otherwise a solid 3.
Because the relationships between the guys, from fart jokes to family gossip, are so real here. The banter between the two partners as they ride to and from rescues feels true and is fun and sweet to read. I love men; these are real men; and, they don't talk or act like women...except when they do, which probably makes it acting human rather than gendered. Anyway, just read it as research if you're an author.
It's also useful if you're considering a career as an EMT, in large part because it's not a 'greatest rescues' collection, but rather tries to show a typical 48 hour, two-shift working week. So you hear about the drunks, druggies and the idiots who abuse the EMTs for free cab service to the hospital. Only a portion of the rescues are people in dire, genuine need, and only a fraction of those are dramatic. The author is also up front about the PTSD, sleep problems and marital strains the job causes him.
I read this because it's about my own city. There aren't many contemporary books on Providence, so I was psyched - that's one of the stars right there. Otherwise a solid 3.
March 1, 2009
I found this book very realistic, that didn't try to glorify the firefighting/ EMS professional, but shows how the job really wears on you. I probably enjoyed this book more because the places are familiar to me. Even if you are not from the area, you will gain valuable insight to what its like to be a paramedic.
May 10, 2022
A good book that shows both the humorous and serious side of the life of a Firefighter/EMT in a city with a diverse population. The author writes very well and is very descriptive when necessary but vague as required. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in the fire service either having been in it for years or just starting out.
June 13, 2008
I really enjoyed this book. As an ER Nurse I learned the "other side" of my patients, wherer they live, where they come from, and the people who bring them to us. This book isn't just for people in the proffession, it hits home with everybody. Very uplifting.
August 5, 2016
Good premise, needs work
Capt. Morse has some excellent stories and a good premise, but really needs an editor. With some tightening up, this book could be as good as Kelly Grayson's.
Capt. Morse has some excellent stories and a good premise, but really needs an editor. With some tightening up, this book could be as good as Kelly Grayson's.
June 17, 2011
Loved it. Mike has a way of truly capturing the feelings and emotional roller coaster of being an ermergency based health care worker. This book was close to home, it was home.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews