Best firefighting & prevention books according to redditors

The requirements vary massively from organization to organization.

Also some thing to take into consideration:

• Some SAR groups provide the required training for free or low cost, ex: the group I am in runs our own WFA and WFR (we actually call it WEMR) for new members, and have money to subsidize those who want to get their EMT. So you might want to hold off on paying for your own until you find out what the group you're interested in requires / accepts
  
• I concur with the others. WFA is useless. Minimum WFR. And as a Nursing student you may find even WFR to be too restrictive. Many go on to get their WEMT, but this can be harder to maintain in smaller volunteer orgs that don't offer CMEs or have a Medical Director to sign off on practical skills.
  
• Some SAR organizations in the very popular areas have lots of volunteers, and may go through periods where they are not accepting new members.
  
  While you wait to move to Colorado, some training you can start out on:
  
  
• Most organizations require you to have ICS certifications, which you can obtain for free from the FEMA website: https://training.fema.gov/nims/ (Make sure to hang on to the PDF certificates) ICS 100, 200 and 700 are considered the basics. Ignore the "course dates" and just click the link on the right hand side to take the course online)
  
• There are some free online courses offered by the Mountain Rescue Association that you can take here: http://training.mra.org/courses/index.php
  
• NASAR puts out a book on the fundamentals of search and rescue. Nice introduction to SAR: https://www.amazon.com/dp/144964273X/?coliid=I2PYKPMWNLKV0X&colid=3KWO408PCH5Q1&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
  
• Get used to hiking with a backpack that has some weight in it. Personally I take my pack out with me on EVERY hike I go on to stay in shape. The amount of equipment / weight you'll be required to carry varies massively from organization to organization. The rescue packs in my org weigh around 25-30 lbs before group gear is added.
  
  Again, the requirements and what certifications will be accepted vary MASSIVELY from organization to organization. While some may accept the certifications and trainings above, others may completely reject them.

Start with https://www.amazon.com/dp/1619602091/ to get an idea of what this wacky world of machining is about. Your local library may have a copy.
On the endmill specifics, you'll need the tool diameter, number of flutes, and the chip load (usually in inches per tooth). If you don't have data for your specific tool then look up specs for other tools with the same diameter, number of flutes, and composition (high-speed steel or carbide are most likely). Here's a good overview of calculating speeds and feeds: https://youtu.be/ip2jm_6aUyk

I would say start by reading this book

•Design of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems

Next would be to grab a copy of NFPA 13,14,20 and make your self accustomed on using them.

http://www.amazon.com/Responding-Routine-Emergencies-Frank-Montagna/dp/0912212810

Each chapter has quiz questions at the end.

Book featured in post

Book about Cocoanut Grove fire

This is a really broad subject matter that involves many chemical phenomena.

Here are some simple answers, I'll refer to two other areas for better explanations:
> What is fire?

Simply put, a chemical reaction
> What are the chemical and physical aspects of burning?

The chemical aspects would the conversion (reaction) of fuel and an oxidizing agent (oxygen, etc) to its products including CO, CO2, NOx, etc. The physical aspects would be the emission of heat (radiation) from the reaction, also the visible flames.
> What's the difference between something hot and it being on fire?

When something is hot and is appearing to "smolder" this is undergoing what is called pyrolysis, which is the conversion of the virgin material to a charred material (best example is of wood). When a material is on fire, it is actively undergoing a reaction which emits heat (exothermic reaction).
> How does something "catch" fire?

How something catches fire is actually quite complex. A general way to think of things is the fire triangle: fuel, oxidizer, and heat. Remove one and you generally remove the ability to have a fire.
> How do you stop a fire?

See above answer for 4.



Here are some good references if you're more interested:

http://fire.nist.gov/

http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Fire-Dynamics-2nd/dp/0471972916

For fire alarm systems idea recommend this guide..

https://www.amazon.com/NICET-Alarm-Systems-Level-Study/dp/172028881X/

Pretty much every book about fire science disagrees with you. I've been on the job since '03, so my experience also disagrees with you. Opening the nozzle to fog will make it flash if it's already on the precipice.

Source for book claim: https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Officers-Handbook-Tactics-Engineering/dp/1593702795

This book is widely used in promotional exams across the US.

This book is great. Good examples of the questions they will ask you and the reasoning behind a solid response.

http://www.amazon.com/Smoke-your-Firefighter-Interview-Lepore/dp/0972993452

I'm from California, so I'm not sure how different the interview styles are when compared to Canada, but this book was very helpful for me throughout my hiring process. Other firefighters I know have spoken highly of the book.

https://www.amazon.com/Smoke-your-Firefighter-Interview-Lepore/dp/0972993452

Honestly I'd just do what your dept tells you. The whole chaser thing seems strange to me. You won't learn much by watching, and what you do learn might be the wrong thing.

This is the book we used in my training class. It got us through FF1, FF2 and HazMat Ops.

https://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Fire-Fighter-Skills-IAFC/dp/1284059650/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1493403901&sr=8-2&keywords=jones+and+bartlett

Check with your dept on how they handle the formal training. My dept handed me a helmet on a Sunday and an address for the class starting that Monday. Class was two nights a week for six months. Paid for by the city, along with hourly pay for my time in class (which was really nice). I'm in EMR now after having passed the previous.

Take the initiative, grab a book and plan some trainings for your team.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1284144631/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_2e0JBb03Q0GMH

If that book is too expensive, buy the 3rd edition from 2013 - the content is still relevant.

Firefighter Functional Fitness: The Essential Guide to Optimal Firefighter Performance and Longevity https://www.amazon.com/dp/0990844242/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_FAISCbYC4KFDS

Euro Firefighter: Global Firefighting Strategy and Tactics, Command and Control and Firefighter Safety https://www.amazon.com/dp/1906600252/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fxexDbRAWWK1J

It’s a bit spendy to buy on ones own but this is what my academy used: Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills https://www.amazon.com/dp/1284144631/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_GYvJAb6GX487X.

Perhaps you can find a used one for a decent price. Or you could go find a volunteer fire department, and they’ll get you all set up. Many colleges also offer 2- and 4- year degrees in fire science that you end up with a bunch of certifications, sometimes including paramedic- which many career departments require.

I bet your fire academy will be using one of these two books as the basic firefighting textbook:

[Essentials of Fire Fighting and Fire Department Operations] (http://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Fire-Fighting-Department-Operations/dp/0133140806/)

Fundamentals of Firefighter Skills

So you might want to ask the academy what book they use, or just get whatever you feel like. Because more info never hurts, right? Personally, I got both of the books above and another textbook as well. I liked being able to see how different books presented the information.

OLGagz,

Thanks for the inquiry. Your experience as an Ocean Lifeguard is a tremendous benefit to any career in public safety, but especially today's fire service.

We have two suggestions. One formal and another informal.

First and foremost in our 'official' capacity, we offer a suggestion that you and others review this information, regardless of what agency you may aspire to join:

http://joinlafd.org/writtentestprep.html

http://joinlafd.org/oralinterview.html

http://joinlafd.org/visitafirestation.html

Secondly, and informally...

While we cannot as an agency endorse a particular business or program, we have heard and seen some fantastic results from those who assertively apply all of the principles outlined in these books, which may be available at your local library (we offer the Amazon links, merely for reference):

http://www.amazon.com/The-Aspiring-Firefighters-Year-Plan/dp/0972993460/

If you can only obtain one book, make it the one above. The book outlines what will become your life's work. Read. It. Carefully.

Chief LePore also wrote:

http://www.amazon.com/Smoke-Your-Firefighter-Written-Exam/dp/0972993487/

http://www.amazon.com/Smoke-your-Firefighter-Interview-Lepore/dp/0972993452/

We hope this helps. While we're sorry it didn't work out with you at the Los Angeles Fire Department this round, we trust you will soon find success at the career of your dreams. Best wishes!

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,

Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

According to Shimizu, it only takes a few wraps of craft paper to provide enough containment for flash powder to go boom. I tend to agree.

If you're looking for a great training book, pick up "Fireground Size-Up" by Michael Terpak. Goes over everything from soup to nuts about sizing up every structural type. It's a litte on the pricier side, but worth every penny.
Amazon Link

Hey, what kind of books are you looking at reading? Fiction? Non fiction? Training? There's lots out there.

For training and knowledge for work, I would always suggest the IFSTA book https://www.amazon.com/Essentials-Fire-Fighting-Department-Operations/dp/0133140806/ref=sr_1_1/130-2392591-2972541?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1520626489&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3AIFSTA

It's a little over 1600 pages full of detailed information of most aspects of firefighting