Paul Hashagen

Stories of Fire is the saga of brave and inventive firefighters from the earliest formations of the fire service, to those making yesterday’s headlines. It is filled with heroic rescues, difficult challenges, and determined battles.

From the days of the hand pumpers, to the age of horses, to motorization, the equipment has changed but the mission has not. With the advent of aerial and scaling ladders the reach became greater, as did the danger. Advances in breathing protection allowed firefighters to plunge even deeper into the swirling heat. Ship fires, building collapses and even the bomb filled start of a war, required a special commitment firefighters continue to make.