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The Last Men Out: Life on the Edge at Rescue 2 Firehouse - Paperback | Diverse Reads

The Last Men Out: Life on the Edge at Rescue 2 Firehouse

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"An insightful, dramatic and emotional tale that deserves a place alongside Dennis Smith's classic firefighting memoir, Report from Engine Co. 82." -Terry Golway, New York Post

Brooklyn's Rescue 2 has long been known as one of the country's top firehouses, a model for departments nationwide. Recognized for their expertise and commitment, Rescue 2's men handle only big blazes where civilians and their fellow firemen are in danger.

Beginning in 1996 with legendary Captain Ray Downey's promotion, the story follows the trials of his replacement, Phil Ruvolo, as he works to win over his headstrong men. A new Rescue 2 is forged through changes in firefighting methods and blazes that quickly become legend. Through the crisis of 9/11 and the subsequent rebuilding, Ruvolo triumphantly fills the late Downey's boots, heading Rescue 2 toward a future worthy of its past, its heroes, its city.

Filled with firefighting detail, raucous humor, and gritty real-life scenes, The Last Men Out is a new classic for an era in firefighting that is more risky, complicated, and dramatic than any before.

ISBN-13: 9780805078442

Media Type: Paperback

Publisher: Holt - Henry & Company - Inc.

Publication Date: 05-28-2005

Pages: 320

Product Dimensions: 5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.90(d)

Tom Downey is the nephew of the late, legendary Ray Downey, former Chief of Rescue Operations for the NYFD, who arranged for Tom to live and work with Rescue 2's men in order to make a film (which aired on the Learning Channel). Tom spent almost two years in the firehouse before 9/11, when his uncle died, and has continued reporting since that disaster.

Read an Excerpt

From The Last Men Out:

Small pockets of fire tease the engine company men who spray the ceilings and walls trying to shake down the flames. Terry hears an engine guy ask Louis to hug the wall so they can bend the stiff hose around the corner.

Suddenly, Terry hears a snap, like a wooden plank being split with an ax, then a much louder cracking noise that makes him shudder. He dives to the ground as the roof and walls crumble around him. Firemen cry out and Maydays go out over the radio. But nobody can hear the calls. They’re all buried.

Terry’s first thought is to get air. As he hears the men around him burrowing to the surface, he claws his way toward the sunlight. He feels cold snow on his glove as he heaves his body up out of the rubble.

Most of the firemen around Terry have also been lucky. But when Terry starts to wade through the debris, a piece of shiny black rubber catches his eye. Two boots sticking out of the rubble. He gets on the radio.

“Rescue Chauffeur to Battalion. Mayday. We have a man trapped about ten feet from the rear door.”

Table of Contents

Prologue 1
1 The Job 9
2 The New Captain 36
3 The Seventies 67
4 Atlantic Avenue 98
5 The Eighties 127
6 Departures 166
7 Father's Day 198
8 The Towers 227
9 Recovery 252
10 Rebuilding 278
Epilogue 293
Acknowledgments 297