Saddened by events 9/11, I set out to do something unsensational, free from the usual media perspectives of blood, violence and death. My interest was in the everyday, day-in-day-out lives of fire men and women. In addition to fires and medical emergencies, I wanted to show them eating, cooking, thier lives outside the fire house, training, and their daily routines, waiting, down-time, joking around, harmless pranks and practical jokes, their relationship to all the people who wave at them, and more. Who they are as people became as important. Here are a few photos from the book Thank God for These Guys, MT Publishing, 208p.
I have had the privilege of being allowed into several firehouses, for which I feel blessed and grateful. Being around these people has enriched my life.
SPECIAL THANKS TO: CFD Commissioners Ray Orozco, James Joyce and Cortez Trotter; Deputy Commissioner-Operations Gene Ryan, Asst. Deputy Commissioner-Operations Robert Hofff; Director of the CFD Fire Academy Rich Edgeworth; 5th District Chief Cortez "Big Daddy" Holland; Chief Jerry McKee; Chief Bobby McKee; Sq. 1 Captain Jimmy Altman, Lt. Bill Duffy; Sq. 1 Capt. John Collins (now a Chief); Squad 5 Capt. Eric Strong and Lt. Cliff Gartner, Squad 5 fireman Corey Hojek; Engine 38 Lt. Mike Smandra; Truck 48 Capt. Juan Reyes; Tower Ladder 5 Lt. Jack McKee; Tower ladder 5 Capt. Mike Cahill; Engine 116 Capt. Sean Burke, Squad 5 firemen Bill O'Boyle, Sean Devine, Bobby Smith, and Pat Noonan; Engine 48 fireman Marty Calkins; Firemen Steve Curley, Jimmy Pascale, Joe Tito, "Presto", Ann Cacioppo and many, many others too numerous to list here.
