No matter where he serves, every fireman has a singular purpose: to prevent the tragic loss of life. For Lieutenant Keith Schneider of the Brevard County Fire Department in Florida, guarding his every neighbor is a solemn responsibility. But how do first responders like him cope with the 24/7 grind of gruesome EMS calls, raging infernos, and internal political strife when there is no real outlet available to them? Where do they turn when fighting the wars at home means there is no escaping the memory of horrific sights, haunting sounds, brutal injuries, and devastating loss? How do they repair the damage to their psyches and, by extension, their personal relationships? In To Guard My Every Neighbor: Inside the Fire, Lieutenant Schneider recounts some of the worst calls of his 30-year career in an effort to educate the public on the multi-faceted role of a fireman, raise awareness about PTSD in first responders, and provide would-be firemen with valuable information gleaned from his decades of experience. With exceptional courage and honesty, he offers an insider's perspective of the profession, pulling no punches. From bogus lawsuits and leadership failures, to heroic rescues and miraculous recoveries, he ll draw you into the stressful world in which first responders live and work in a never-ending effort to save lives and serve their communities. To Guard My Every Neighbor: Inside the Fire will inspire you, surprise you, and even shock you. Most of all, it will renew your appreciation for the uniformed men and women in your community who go above and beyond the call of duty, often at great risk to their own lives.
About the Author: Lieutenant Keith Schneider was born on Long Island, New York and raised in Fort Pierce, Florida. The middle of three boys, he grew up with an appreciation for family, friends, surfing, and hell-raising until one day on a whim, he and a buddy decided to become firemen. Although unprepared emotionally and psychologically for the tragic and oftentimes gruesome realities of the job, he excelled in his work and earned a promotion to lieutenant in 2001. In 2014, the year he retired, he founded the Wounded Warriors Hockey Club to raise money for various veterans organizations. He lives in Indialantic Beach Florida with his loyal bull terrier, Rin.