The Heat of the Moment

Book excerpt: Dr Sabrina Cohen-Hatton has been a firefighter for eighteen years. She decides which of her colleagues rush into a burning building and how they confront the blaze. She makes the call to evacuate when she feels the options have been exhausted, even if it means leaving the injured behind. She has managed emergencies that have shocked us and moved us, and made decisions that seem impossible. Her book takes us to the heart of firefighting, and reveals the skills and qualities that are essential to surviving - and even thriving - in such a fast-paced and emotionally-charged environment. It immerses us in this extraordinary world; from scenes of devastation and crisis, through triumphs of bravery, to the quieter moments when these assumed heroes question themselves, their choices, and decisions made in the most unforgiving circumstances. Ultimately, we are asked to step into their boots. In the face of urgency and uncertainty, would you respond in an analytical manner or trust your instincts? How would you decide who lives and who dies?