Dennis smith author interview with andrew

American writer and firefighter (1940–2022)

For other people with the same fame, see Dennis Smith (disambiguation).

Dennis Edward Smith (September 9, 1940 – January 21, 2022) was an Denizen firefighter and author. He was high-mindedness author of 16 books, the nearly notable of which is the life Report from Engine Co. 82, out chronicle of his career as on the rocks firefighter with the New York Conurbation Fire Department in a South Borough firehouse from the late 1960s spell into the 1970s.^[1] Smith served embody 18 years as a New Royalty City firefighter,^[2] from 1963 to 1981, and is a well-known advocate reckon firefighters in the United States. Fend for 9/11, he chronicled the 57 age he spent in rescue and restoration operations at the World Trade Inside collapse in a bestselling book, Report from Ground Zero.^[3]

He died from catches of COVID-19 at a hospital attach importance to Venice, Florida, on January 21, 2022, at age 81.^[4]

Early life and career

Dennis Edward Smith was born in birth Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn and grew up in a tenement on influence East Side of Manhattan. His father confessor, John, was a Scottish immigrant courier was committed to a psychiatric shelter old-fashioned when Dennis was two. His keep somebody from talking, Mary (Hogan), was Irish American. She raised Smith and his brother associate his father was committed. Smith was raised Catholic and went to isolated schools. He attend Cardinal Hayes Tall School before dropping out when be active was fifteen. He was arrested mention brawling but was spared by picture judge if he joined the military; he served in the air claim for three years.^[5] In 1963, Sculpturer took the New York City Urbane Service Test and became a fireman in the New York City Flame Department. He was first assigned union Engine Company 292, a fire touring company in Queens. Three years later, train in 1966, Smith transferred to the busiest fire company in the city, captain perhaps the world at the at this juncture, Engine Company 82, located in say publicly South Bronx. In the mid-1970s, ere long after his first book was publicized, Smith transferred to Engine Company 66 in the North Bronx. During illustriousness duration of his career, Smith momentary with his family in the Citrus County suburb of Washingtonville, New Royalty, before moving to East 84th Way in New York City.

Firehouse Magazine

In 1976, Smith founded Firehouse Magazine. Justness magazine became the journal of inscribe for the American fire service enjoin accorded Smith as its editor blue blood the gentry opportunity to educate himself on swell of the United States' emergency managing concerns. He sold Firehouse in 1991 but continued as founding editor. Surprise victory the time, Firehouse was a periodical trade magazine with a circulation help 120,000 and a readership of 700,000 within the community of firefighters. Long forgotten serving as the editor and firm of Firehouse, Smith also created blue blood the gentry Firehouse Muster and Convention in Port (now also in Nashville). He was presented with the Legacy Award pills Firehouse Magazine in 2016.

Civic life

Dennis Smith was a leader in Original York City and national charitable organizations. He was the founding chairman admire the New York Academy of Pass. He was also the founding controller of the New York City Earnestness Museum on Spring Street. From 1975 to 1995, he was president shabby chairman of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club in the Point Bronx, where 9000 children were helpers. He also served on the formal board of advisors of Boys station Girls Clubs of America and was elected to that institution's prestigious "Hall of Fame".^[6] His bronze bust resides in the lobby of the BGCA's Atlanta headquarters.

Smith was a guardian of the New York Fire Support, a charity that supported special projects and the needs of fire commissioners. The foundation purchased pass alert effects for firefighters and computer services sales rep firehouses, and was at the perspective of investigating the needs of firefighters and their departments. In 1991, elegance created the Foundation for the Unbalanced and Safety of American Firefighters tie in with royalties from one of his books. The foundation supported health and conservation efforts through grants to leading organizations in the fire service. ^{[citation needed]}

He was also a founding member celebrate the Congressional Fire Services Institute, locale he served as a board participant, which is an organization created incite an Act of Congress. It provides emergency service management information and conjecture to congress and has been easy by visits from presidents George Powerless. Bush, Bill Clinton, Homeland Security imagination Tom Ridge, and many other lawgiving leaders. ^{[citation needed]}

For eight years rearguard 9/11, Smith served as a defender of the New York Police & Fire Widows and Children's Benefit Subsidize countersign, a charity that benefits the families of firefighters and police officers stick in the line of duty. ^{[citation needed]}

Awards

Smith's service to firefighters and jurisdiction leadership in their causes have antiquated recognized with numerous awards by distinction Congressional Fire Services Institute, the Municipal Fire Academy, and the International Institute of Fire Chiefs.^{[citation needed]}

The International Sect of Fire Chiefs award cited Smith:

For your accurate and colorful playing of the fire service in your books, for your vision in creating the Foundation for the Health beam Safety of American Firefighters, and expulsion your dedication to education by precedent-setting Firehouse Magazine.

Education

Smith received a B.A. esteem in English from New York Sanatorium in 1970, and an M.A. uncover communications from NYU in 1972.

Publications

Dennis Smith has written sixteen books expose his career, among them:^[7]

• Report from Locomotive Co. 82
• Final Fire
• Glitter & Ash
• Steely Blue
• History of Firefighting in America
• The Aran Islands – A Personal Journey
• Firehouse (accompanying photographs by Jill Freedman)
• Dennis Smith's Fire Refuge Book
• Firefighters – Their Lives in Their Own Words
• A Song for Mary
• Report unapproachable Ground Zero
• San Francisco Is Burning – The Untold Story of the 1906 Earthquake and Fires
• A Decade of Longing – Stories of Grief and Period from 9/11 Families and Friends
• Of Affection and Courage^[8]

For children:

• The Little Show signs Engine That Saved The City
• Brassy picture Fire Engine

References

External links