<p>This book describes the trials of probationary firefighter Richard A. Meo from his training at the New York City Fire Department Firefighting School at Randall&#39;s Island, through his assignments as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, and Captain. Over one hundred fires and emergencies are chronicled from 1980 to 2003. The major events include the 1981 West Side Pier Fire, the Grand Central Station Fire 1985, Gramercy Park Steam Explosion 1989, Bankers Trust Office Building Fire 1992, World Trade Center Bombing 1993, and September 11, 2001.</p>