I Love a Fire Fighter: What the Family Needs to Know

by Ellen Kirschman

This book has been replaced by I Love a Fire Fighter, Second Edition, ISBN 978-1-4625-4100-3.

Genres: Nonfiction

299 pages, Hardcover

First published August 11, 2004

About the author

I've been a police and public safety psychologist for thirty-plus years, before I had any gray hair. My work with first responders has taken me to four countries and twenty-two states.

I Love a Cop: What Police Families Need to Know was my first book and, to date, it has sold more than 100,000 copies. I Love a Fire Fighter: What the Family Needs to Know came next, followed by Counseling Cops: What Clinicians Need to Know with two psychology colleagues, both of whom are retired cops.

I also write a mystery series. My protagonist, Dr. Dot Meyerhoff, is a fifty-something year old psychologist who should be counseling cops, not solving crimes. Too dedicated for her own good, she won't give up until justice is served, even when it jeopardizes her own life.

There are five books in the series: Burying Ben, The Right Wrong Thing The Fifth Reflection The Answer to His Prayers and Call Me Carmela. Dive in anywhere, it's. not necessary to read them in order.

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband, whose entire life I have plagarized for Dot's love interest, Frank. I maintain a website at www.ellenkirschman.com,. Sign up for my occasional newsletter and get a free copy of my mini-memoir as a dance hall girl in Times Square.

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was well written and very informative. Perfect for anyone who is new going into this whether you are the firefighter or the family that is standing behind them. This gives great information on what can often be misconceptions about the fire service as well as history of it's evolvement.Great Resources section too that can be really helpful. Great Read!

[Ayden Ginder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book, the first few chapters were good. Most of it is not helpful if you aren’t a jealous spouse. A lot of the chapters would only be useful if you were having an issue in your relationship, but the author did warn of that.

[Marti Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to various aspects of the fire service and its culture, for those who need to know what makes these folks the way they are.

[Khayla A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found some of the stories relatable, loved that it shares information for useful resources, I however disagree that the fire department comes first, while the department is a big part of our lives, our family still comes first and our needs are met first.

You don’t have to settle to being second Fidel as the book suggest to the fire department. Yes you have to be strong and independent and hold the fort down but when push comes to shove they are still your partner and if you truly have a need for them to be home, say family emergency, then they should come home end of story, if they are willing to put the department ahead of your reasonable need then there’s a problem.

I think this book has some helpful advice specially when it comes to dealing with work related traumas, but at the same time be mindful to take it with a grain of salt, there’s no one way that will work perfectly for everyone, communication is key to any relationship and if you can’t communicate successfully, no matter the profession, the relationship won’t last.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very eye-opening to me...

[Bibliovixen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this a part of my continual learning as a counselor.