Top First Responder Books

  • The First Responders
  • The First Responder Healing Manual
  • Stories of Faith and Courage from Firefighters & First Responders
  • The Silent Killer of Police and First Responders
  • Strength for Service to God and Community

Courtesy of the official Merriam Webster Dictionary, quite possibly the most straightforward definition of a first responder is “a person (such as a police officer or an EMT) who is among those responsible for going immediately to the scene of an accident or emergency to provide assistance”. Others accurately and even more simply just refer to this field of professionals as heroes. In any case, if you or someone you know is among this noble group of professionals, a great book geared to this particular subject matter may be just the right call. If this sounds familiar, read on as we take a quick look at five top books for first responders right now.

1. The First Responders

The First Responders is a breathtaking rendition of the events that took place on September 11, 2001. Specifically, author Anthea Appel takes the reader on a ride with the New York Police Department on that fateful day. Learn the actual, real stories of the first responders to hit this monumental scene of chaos and devastation. Prepare for intense storytelling about the heroes that were there – the heroism, the tragedy, the miracles, surprises, and more.

2. The First Responder Healing Manual

No matter how tough anyone is, behind the professionalism, tough faces, and protocol of a first responder lies a person with a heart and a true desire to help others. First responders can experience many things others do not, and as a result can feel many emotions others might not. Written just for this cause, The First Responder Healing Manual is a classic piece of literature among the field. Here, the reader learns about the steps to overcoming particularly troubling events and traumas and explores the biblical routes to protecting and healing one’s self in this line of work.

3. Stories of Faith and Courage from Firefighters & First Responders

Sometimes the most effective approach in a book is that of straightforward storytelling and accounting from those on the ground and in the trenches. Such is the approach of author Gaius Reynolds in this fascinating tell-all. Read about some of the most exhilarating first response encounters in the form of a 365-day devotional. The stories here are very much real and quite impactful, with each providing a different meaning and perspective on it all. This is a great selection for the straight-through read or the prolonged, day-by-day venture.

4. The Silent Killer of Police and First Responders

Stress, adversity, and trauma are parts of the job of any first responder. In the medical field these very same factors have been identified as silent killers, leading to a whole array of other health ailments and serious conditions down the road. In this potentially lifesaving manual by Dr. Richard C. Lumb, first responders can really learn a methodical and effective procedure for gaining endurance and resilience against the effects of these job-induced stressors. Learn about the dangers as well as the medical solutions to physiologically and psychologically thwart the vexes of a noble and highly needed profession.

5. Strength for Service to God and Community

Originally written by a group of educators and pastors to support WWII troops, Strength for Service to God and Community has since been revived for current use. Today, it is published for first responders in particular, along with anyone else on the frontlines of life’s toughest challenges. Enjoy 365, day-by-day devotional entries that give each day a new purpose and light from the Christian side of things. The restless often report peace to be found within these pages.

Related Resource: Top 10 Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs

Books about first responders can be incredibly educational and impactful to those in the field as well as those on the outside. The stories, events, mental fortitude, and sometimes even spirituality found here can be like that of no other profession. These five books capture the essence of that field of heroics like no others.