Report from Engine Co. 82

by Dennis Smith

What is it like to be a firefighter in the South Bronx in the 1970's and what is firefighting like today? Join me and my guest Granger Fire chief, John Vance a we discuss Dennis Smith's account of life as a fireman, Report from Engine Co. 82, and prepare some very special food for our Granger firefighters.

In a true story written by Dennis Smith, firefighter in the dangerous South Bronx area of New York, we learn about the challenges firefighters face in big cities and how they cope with false alarms, taunts from the neighbors, and truly life threatening situations. This 1972 book removes the glamour of firefighting, while capturing the daily grind of inner city firefighters. He brings the reader into the last days of pre-modern urban firefighting, the gut wrenching fear and most of all into the camaraderie that comes with the territory. Smith worked during a period from the late sixties to the eighties that saw 30% of all buildings in New York City burned.

Let's meet Fire Chief John Vance to learn about modern firefighting and to see whether things have really changed as we prepare something special for firefighters.

Original Air-Date: 10.27.2007