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.

I like your site. You tell it like it is, just like me. Don't EVER let someone tell you that you can't do something that you want to do! I dispatched mostly all you have listed for 7 years till my health stopped me. If you ever want to talk, about the job, or anything, get in touch. I consider you a friend. May God bless you in everything that you do.
Patricia

Glad you decided to become a firefighter. My girlfriend has helped me study several times. I'm trying to convince her she would like this. She is taking EMT-B class with me.

I dispatched there for 7 years, till my health stopped me. I was hoping top retire there. Oh, well. Thanks for asking me to be a friend. If you ever want to ask me anything, just ask.
Your friend,
Patricia

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Be safe out there

well thank you dear!.. i didnt even see you wrote me im sorry i was wrapped up in a video haha.

hectic... long... but it was good. slept alot after. probably secondary to eating too much. how was yours??

It was so nice. It was just my brothers and sisters mom and dad. I usually spend it with the whole * big* family. I enjoyed it. Plans for New Years?

Hi. Glad to be a friend. I got a 3 year old computer for Christmas and just got it up and running. It beats the heck out of the 9 year old one I had. I wanted to ask you where you got that lady fire fighter charm picture above? Is it it a picture or is it yours? I'd like to have one that says "I love my Captain" or "I love my policeman". Thanks.
Patricia

whatever LOL I like your Blog

Training? To get them knowing their SCBAsbetter, have them get on the floor in a circle (blindfolded) and [you] take all SCBAs apart, tanks, masks, , pull all straps tight, and twist everything up, just to make it more difficult. then tell them all to go for it. . . . . to make it more challenging, time them. for our RIT requirements, we have to be fully "scoted", and on air in 2 minutes. Give it a try! Let me know how it worked for ya?!

Hi I'm Woody...Hit Me Back.lol :)

NP...So I see you're a dispatcher for Police...
I wanna do dispatching but I turn 18 next December and then I'll be starting Paramedic class and it isnot gonna work...GRRRRR! lol

Yeah, I'm already an EMT...Here in Maryland you have to be 16 to take and classes through the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute....

I have Duty tomorrow from 6am-6pm as a a matter of fact. :o)

can you help me i am new at this

thanks for being my friend

hey ff316emt hope ur having a good week stay safe

Hey hey girl..how are you doing? ya we'll definately have to hang out...if and when let me know ill give u my cell

hey how are u doing just stop in to say hi stay out there safe

Hey thanks for the friend invite. Always great to see a lovely lady in this field. Maybe we will get a chance to meet at a dispatch training some time

Hey SAR is easy to get on with here. Make 3 meetings, pass back ground check and be sponsered by member. We been having a few dispatch openings here lately also.

hi nice profile i am Nabil from Morocco

YOU GO GIRL! I DID THE SAME. AND NOW I'M LIVIN THE DREAM. GOOD LUCK AND STAY SAFE ALWAYS, ANGIE

hi how have you been doing i am ok i have not heard from you in a good time i hope ever thing is ok i hope to here from you take care talk to you later

welcome from ny

Thanks for the add. Keep up the good work, I have alot of respect for dispatchers. Your job is hard. Hope your EMT testing goes well. Have a safe summer!

thanks for the add

yw lol

Hello from Portugal

My name's Paulo, I live in Oporto (the 2nd biggest portuguese city). I'm Fire Chief and the President of the Portuguese Volunteers Firefighters Association.
I hope we can exchange knowladge and become good friends. Who knows one day we'll meet.
Keep in touch.

My MSN contact: PauloFlyboy@hotmail.com

Hi
In 2006 I was invited to participate in NYC at the 9/11 FF's Tribute. I had the opportunity to visit the Ground Zero, several Engines, the FDNY Academy and the museum. I was very impressed with you. We don't have an academy like you neither your trainning. We fight a lot os forest fires and building fires. However we don´t have highest building as NYC. I'm sure that what happened in NYC, would happened in Portugal we would have to request help to other countries.
Portugal is a modern country but we are very very far from what US FD have, specially knowledgement and trainnig.
However, we have very friendly people, fabulous food and fantastic wines. We cannot have everything :-)

Stay safe
Paulo Jesus

Hello,

Thanks for adding me, Be Safe.

Bill

Thanks for the invite.....

Hi there, you ok? Hope so... Stay cool... See ya
Regards

I'm on vacation now, finaly, but in the last day of work i had a car accident, a urban fire and a forest fire, it was nice before a 15 day holliday. I'm on the beach now with a cold beer and a beautifull sunshine...

Thanks for the add, I am glad to hear that you showed the naysayer up about woman fire fighters. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

just want to say hi

how are you doing? Just wanted to say Hi, and see what was new

Hello ff316 how are things in your neck of the woods good i hope you have a good new year from the jersey shore

Hi FF woow that hurts short manpower you just be safe out there and have a Happy New Year

i just read your profile. i am glad that you proved your b/f wrong. i have fought berside a few women firefightrers. i can say i trust them with my life anyday. way to go. if yu want...add me.thanx

Hello, hope all is well and good, stay safe.