Target Portsmouth Firefighting - (Images of America (Arcadia Publishing)) by Steven E Achilles (Paperback)

Portsmouth Firefighting - (Images of America (Arcadia Publishing)) by Steven E Achilles (Paperback)

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Book Synopsis In September 1756, with only fire buckets, two hand tubs, and citizen volunteers safeguarding the Colonial seaport, Portsmouth decided to organize and regulate its fire protection. By 1852, the Portsmouth Fire Department boasted six suction engines and in 1864 entered the age of steam power when the first steam fire engine was delivered. Disastrous fires and a growing city required the department to modernize as it moved into the 20th century. The department s first motorized engine was purchased in 1912, and by 1921, there was a new central fire station along with a new gasoline-powered ladder truck. Through an exceptional collection of photographs, Portsmouth Firefighting richly illustrates the story and tradition of a fire department forever connected to its brave firefighters, their magnificent fire engines, and the spectacular blazes they fought." Review Quotes Title: Portsmouth Firefighter book signing Author: Tara Johnson Publisher: Seacoast Online Date: 2/27/09 Maine-ly New Hampshire will host Portsmouth Assistant Fire Chief Steve Achilles from 4 to 7 p.m. today for a book-signing of his recent release, "Portsmouth Firefighting." "I was inspired to write the book because the Portsmouth Fire Department has a rich history," he said. "Over the years, we have collected memorabilia, artifacts and images that share the story of the city and the Fire Department together." Barnes & Noble bookstore in Newington will also host Achilles from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday for a signing. Last February, Achilles began researching various aspects of the Fire Department, including historic images and the department's personality over the last 300 years. Achilles said the easiest part of writing the book was collecting images from the Fire Department and members of the community. "The challenging aspect was narrowing down dates and events. I wanted (the book) to be as historically accurate as possible, instead of using generality," said Achilles. Accounts from retired members of the department and their families who were willing to contribute newspaper and family photographs were incorporated into the book's development. Achilles said the two instrumental resources that were vital to the project included the Strawbery Banke Museum and the Portsmouth Public Library. The book offers seven chapters of stories of the Portsmouth Fire Department, utilizing images of previous facilities, equipment and descriptions of historical events. "It was amazing, like a treasure hunt, said Achilles. "I found a lot of hidden pearls." Achilles said, "I hope the book establishes a foundation for local historians, the Fire Department, Portsmouth community members and provides a springboard for aspiring firefighters." Title: Portsmouth's firefighting history recorded for posterity Author: Charles McMahon Publisher: Foster's Daily Democrat Date: 2/27/09 The history of the Port City Fire Department is no longer just a series of stories and pictures strewn about the Central Fire Station. Thanks to Asst. Fire Chief Steve Achilles, residents interested in learning a little bit more about the lineage of local firefighters now have a new way of discovering the past. In his book, "Images of America: Portsmouth Firefighting" Achilles tells the story of the city's very first firefighters and traces the departments history in fighting fires all the way to the times of steam engines and hand tubs. The book was published by Arcadia Publishing and features dozens of historical pictures compiled by Achilles, each with their very own story. Having joined the department in 2000, Achilles said he was always interested in learning more about the many pictures and artifacts featured in the halls of the Central Fire Station. While he considers himself a lover of local and U.S. history in general, Achilles said as he slowly became acclimated to the department he began to learn that the fire department was rich in its own history as well. "It's very intriguing and interesting to know that you're part of something bigger," Achilles said. The idea of writing the book came about back in 2006 when the department was trying to determine what to name its new fire boat. After searching through a variety of historical documents and pictures, Achilles said he was amazed on how much was out there and how many interesting facts were available about the department at the local library and Athenaeum. The process of putting together the book involved much help from other firefighters, said Achilles and also included him spending countless hours researching before and after his shifts. "It was almost like a treasure hunt," said Achilles. The book was released on Feb. 23, said Achilles and will be available at a variety of local bookstores. Achilles also plans on holding a book signing this weekend to celebrate his accomplishment and his addition to Port City history. Anyone interested in meeting Achilles and getting their own copy of his book can visit Maine-ly New Hampshire on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. for a book signing. The following day Achilles will sign books at Barnes and Noble in Newington. Title: Portsmouth Firefighter book signing Author: Tara Johnson Publisher: Seacoast Online Date: 2/27/09 Maine-ly New Hampshire will host Portsmouth Assistant Fire Chief Steve Achilles from 4 to 7 p.m. today for a book-signing of his recent release, "Portsmouth Firefighting." "I was inspired to write the book because the Portsmouth Fire Department has a rich history," he said. "Over the years, we have collected memorabilia, artifacts and images that share the story of the city and the Fire Department together." Barnes & Noble bookstore in Newington will also host Achilles from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday for a signing. Last February, Achilles began researching various aspects of the Fire Department, including historic images and the department's personality over the last 300 years. Achilles said the easiest part of writing the book was collecting images from the Fire Department and members of the community. "The challenging aspect was narrowing down dates and events. I wanted (the book) to be as historically accurate as possible, instead of using generality," said Achilles. Accounts from retired members of the department and their families who were willing to contribute newspaper and family photographs were incorporated into the book's development. Achilles said the two instrumental resources that were vital to the project included the Strawbery Banke Museum and the Portsmouth Public Library. The book offers seven chapters of stories of the Portsmouth Fire Department, utilizing images of previous facilities, equipment and descriptions of historical events. "It was amazing, like a treasure hunt, said Achilles. "I found a lot of hidden pearls." Achilles said, "I hope the book establishes a foundation for local historians, the Fire Department, Portsmouth community members and provides a springboard for aspiring firefighters." Title: To serve, protect... and create Author: JeannA(c) McCartin Publisher: Seacoast Online Date: 1/25/20009 It's difficult to keep a balance in our fast-paced world, perhaps harder still when your job ranks among the nation's most stressful. Fire rescue and law enforcement always top that list. But, by design or by chance, a few local civil servants have found respite in the creative world. Assistant Fire Chief Steven Achilles is signing his book, "Portsmouth Firefighting," at Barnes & Noble on Feb. 28. It's his first, but likely not his last. It was his own passion for history a "American, New Hampshire and local" a as well as firefighting that prompted the book. "I came to Portsmouth nine years ago. It felt like a rich and really interesting history. And amazingly enough, I found Portsmouth's fire department has a very colorful history, a lot of history, itself. Its history is intertwined with the history of Portsmouth itself." He's already casting an eye on other segments of the city's history, and hopes his book prompts others to wrote on their own interest. He can tell you firsthand, it's a good way to break from the job. "Firefighters by nature are committed to the fire department but it's amazing what they do outside, other vocations, and most are creative in some way, hands on, creative intellectually," he says. He notes Deputy Chief Steve Griswold. Achilles says Griswold is a violinist a "a good one." "Well he's wrong, I'm not very good," says Griswold. "It takes 10,000 hours to be a really good violinist, I'm nowhere near that." Griswold picked up the violin seven years ago at age 49. It was one of those "ifnot now when," moves. "It's certainly enjoyable," he says. He occasionally hits the Press Room, even keeps up with the regulars a occasionally a on a few songs, he adds. The playing certainly helps with the pressure of the job. "It's something to think about and focus on other than work all the time, and it's a really nice distraction." It's also a nice thing to look forward to in retirement; "getting those 10,000 hours of practice in." Portsmouth Police Sergeant Kuffer Kaltenborn has a lot of outside pursuits: harmonica, photography and writing. Photography currently outweighs harmonica. "Mainly I go into Boston or Portland. I like natural photography ...; and industrial and architecture," he says. The area is plum for the pursuit, the "mountains, the ocean, not to mention the seasonal changes." But primarily he's a writer. "It's a creative and constructive way of expressing myself. I usually don't share ... But it's a great way to vent," he say. He often writes about the crises and bizarre and humorous things he encounters. Some day the private stash may form a book or magazine articles. "I'm very much involved in my career, but (writing) is the lifelong goal," he says. "For now it's for the therapeutic quality. ... Writing helps me stay grounded, put things in perspective and helps me relax above all else." Oh and he does it all longhand. With fountain pens. Part of the whole package. Earl Case of Barrington is an auxiliary policeman (reserve certified police), a retired Portsmouth lieutenant (2006), and a former Marine (21 years). He didn't recognize the effect singing in Dover's First Congregational Church choir, and later stillperforming in area theater, had on him till he'd retired from full-time police work and had the distance for proper reflection, he says. "I didn't recognize it at the beginning, the balance it brought, ...; but it did. I was more grounded. It gave me a different perspective; there's more than the people you work with and what you work with." He says acting was a great fit a as a policeman he was always playing a different role based on the person encountered. He's continued performing, thanks to the great people involved, and is currently working on Garrison Players' production of "Footloose," a collaboration with Dover High School. "It certainly put the harshness out of my life," he says. "Put things in order, and helped me out in the job.

Portsmouth Firefighting - (Images of America (Arcadia Publishing)) by Steven E Achilles (Paperback)

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