The Sixty Second Story

by Janice Landry

The Sixty Second Story is a gripping and emotional tribute to Canada’s first responders – the professionals and volunteers who repeatedly risk their lives in the face of danger and death.

The book pays homage to a father, to the fallen, and to those who respond when the alarm sounds. It also frankly discusses the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and critical incident stress (CIS) on both first responders and their families. Discussions with veteran firefighters and a former Halifax police officer take the reader back to incidents dating from the 1950s like they happened yesterday. The police officer’s suicide attempt led him to a second career helping first responders living with PTSD and CIS.

176 pages, Paperback

Published October 24, 2013

Reviews

[Chloe Kenney]

I consider it a great privilege to have been one of Janice’s students at MSVU. She is a powerful writer, a devoted journalist, and a kind and loving person.

I regularly read so many devastating books covering hard topics in crime, and history, and get through most dry eyed, but Janice brings me to tears. What a beautiful tribute to her father, and informative piece of the trials our first responders face daily. Thank you so much Janice.

[Denise Doucet]

I read this book in one sitting because I just could not put it down. It is a raw and gripping account of true heroism. To think that angels like this walk among us is truly humbling. Janice Landry’s homage to her father, Baz Landry, who was a Medal of Bravery recipient, gave me a deeper appreciation of a true hero and legend.

[Margaret Kashmir]

An authentic, gripping human story that offers the healing and hope one rarely gets in a real-life tragedy. Amazing read!

[Terri Durling]

Janice Landry is a local journalist. I like to support local as much as I can. What I liked about this book was that it dealt with first responders (my youngest son is one) and how they put their lives on the line every call they go on never knowing what they are going to face and the challenges that could happen. Janice’s farther, Basil “Baz” was a firefighter and risked his life over and over again in the call of duty. Nova Scotia is home to the oldest fire service in Canada. Her father was a 31 year veteran of the fire department and received Canada’s Medal of Bravery, drizzled the only Halifax firefighter to be awarded this national honour. Landry’s dad died in 2008 and she made it a goal to write the story of his firefighting career and, especially, about the day he rescued a baby boy in 1978 risking his life. His quick thinking saved the boy’s life, as well as his own. He was humble and did what he felt any trained firefighter would have done given the circumstances. Janice was able to track down this boy, Nicholas McKenzie, as well as several members of his family, many of whom were present the day of the fire and who are eternally grateful for his bravery that saved Nick. Janice added other interesting side stories to the main one about her father. She spoke of the “Fallen Nine” firefighters who lost their lives since the Halifax Explosion in 1917. She also went on to tell us about PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and “CIS’ (critical incident stress) which affects many first responders. She did a tremendous amount of research to complete this book and give recognition to, not only her father, but to the many first responders in our country who risk their lives to save others every day.

[Kathy Burris]

Did you know that Halifax is home to the oldest fire service in Canada.
The first chapter of this book tells about "The Fallen Nine."
Janice's father "Baz" was a firefighter in Halifax & she describes what happened at a fire in 1978 & the rescue of an infant. Baz received the Metal if Bravery for his actions that day.
Janice also touches on the Westray Explosion in 92. The Windsor Salt Mine Draegar Team was part of the rescue attempt to find the 26 miners trapped underground. Each of the 177 searchers received the Metal of Bravery.
Also mentioned in this book are the effects of PTSD and CIS on first responders & their families.