My name is Tom Kenney. I’m a 24-year veteran and Fire Lieutenant on the Providence Fire Department. I’m pleased to announce that I’ve recently had my book, Working Class Hero: Memoirs of a Providence Fireman, published by Publish America (ISBN 1-4137-3107-4).

This is the first book of its kind written by a Providence Firefighter in 118 years.

“You can almost smell the smoke and feel the heat. ‘Working Class Hero: Memoirs of a Providence Fireman’ is a three-alarm read. It’s taken from the 23-year on-the-job experiences of a second-generation Providence firefighter who could shrug off tragedy with a flippant remark, time after time after time. Required reading.” (Wally Pickford -The Reporter)

“…his experiences pull the reader in and force them to think about the bravery of firefighters and of their own mortality.” (Kelly Smith - Warwick Beacon)

“Working Class Hero: Memoirs of a Providence Fireman is one man’s action-packed account of twenty-three years of life as a firefighter in busy metropolitan Providence – the third largest city in the Northeast. Experience what it’s like to be taken on one emergency call after another – fires, shootings, stabbings, and more. Encounter situations that are completely unimaginable to the average citizen. Thoughtfully written with the reader in mind, describing each stage of an incident, this book allows the reader to visualize riding along with the firefighters as they pull up to a scene and must take immediate action. In this book, Lieutenant Tom Kenney will take you inside the mind of a firefighter as he makes life and death decisions. Celebrate his victories and suffer his defeats. Glimpse a world few people ever experience. From practical jokes and fun around the firehouse to gut-wrenching real-life tragedies, this book covers it all!”

The book is currently available at Barnes & Noble Book Stores, Borders Books, and online through www.amazon.com and www.publishamerica.com. It is a full size paperback edition, 224 pages, and retails for $19.95.

Tom Kenney can be reached via e-mail at tekpfd@cox.net & at his webpage at: www.ProvidenceFireman.com.

How much wildland fire do ya'll catch out there!!!! Seen your helmet shroud... I'm a wildland firefighter too as you already know from my site... Hit me back like to talk more...Be safe...Darian

Hello Shana,
I was just out your way last week visting my folks who live in a development just outside of Los Lunas. (within view of Tome hill) I moved away from NM when I was 16 but visit often. I had hoped to visit with some fellow Vollies while I was down there, but ran out of time. Oh well, maybe next trip. Anyway... stay safe and train often. See ya arund.

Hello Thanks for the add. Yes I am from 8, been there a while now. Let me know how things are going out in the County LOL. Take care for now, be safe!!!

Yes ma'am out in the county lol. Unless we have a 2nd rescue crew to watch the city we no longer answer mutual aid rescue calls so I have no idea what it's like to be out there anymore :-( Fire we will always be avaliable no questions asked. Our rescue to fire ratio is like 20 to 1 but it's a FIRE Dept so it's fire first. You need us call us. Take care and be safe out there.