From Leather to Lights

A history of the California fire service from January 1, 1960 - January 1, 2005. The California fire service has seen dramatic change in the last half century, and has been defined by versatile fire apparatus, prehospital emergency medical service, responses to hazardous materials events, emergency incident management, technical rescue operations, and the implied response to terrorism, and unprecedented response to natural disasters. Politics and fiscal constraints have also shaped the present and future of fire departments and labor/management relations. This wonderfully detailed history is any fire buff's delight, and a brilliant introduction for candidates. Paths of progress are often illuminated by careful examination of the heritage of the past, preserving the legacy while contributing to the future.