Dennis Smith, a retired FDNY firefighter who authored “Report from Engine Co. 82” and founded Firehouse Magazine, died at the age of 81 on Jan. 21, 2022.
“Dennis’ contribution to the fire service as an innovator, author, publisher and supporter of the worldwide service spanned five decades before his death and will continue for decades to come,” Firehouse Editor-in-Chief Peter Matthews says. “The ability for Dennis to share life-saving techniques to firefighters across the country and share the stories of firefighters around the world has impacted tens of thousands of firefighters.”
How it all began
Smith grew up in Manhattan and began his 18-year career with FDNY at Engine 292 in Queens and then transferred to the infamous Engine 82 in the South Bronx. That assignment became the material for his 1972 book, “Report from Engine Co. 82,” which told the tale of FDNY's busiest fire station during the War Years. The book sold more than 3 million copies and was translated into more than a dozen languages.
A few years later, Smith saw an opportunity and seized it.
“I saw nothing in the (other trade magazines) that related to my work as a firefighter,” Smith said, which lead him to create Firehouse Magazine.
In 1976, Smith teamed up with then-advertising director Bruce Bowling to begin publishing Firehouse, a bimonthly magazine with coverage that included incident reports, strategy and tactics, leadership, firefighter lifestyles, legal and political issues and history of the fire service.
Smith is survived by three sons, two daughters, 11 grandchildren, and a large family of firefighters and fans who were touched by his books and magazine.
Noteworthy accomplishments
- Smith authored 16 books, including the critically acclaimed “Report from Ground Zero,” in which he shared his experiences at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
- He was a founding member who served on the board of the Congressional Fire Services Institute.
- In 2005, Smith helped to fund the launch of the National Firefighter Near Miss Reporting System, which collects near-miss reports to help the fire service better understand the dangers that responders face. Smith was appointed as the first chairperson of the Near Miss Task Force.
- In 2016, Smith was inducted into the Firehouse Hall of Fame at Firehouse Expo in Nashville.
Remembering Dennis Smith
Following his passing, members of the fire service from around the country shared their memories and stories about the acclaimed author and founder of Firehouse Magazine.
Many people don’t know that he was the first chair of the IAFC’s Near Miss Task Force, focused on preventing firefighter injury and death. Dennis devoted many years focused on near-miss and close call events so that firefighters could learn from one another. So, while Dennis is known for his writing, artwork, roles and responsibilities, he told us many times how he was most proud when he could “help firefighters stay firefighters” as long as possible.
Years later, Dennis was in the audience when I was doing a presentation for the IAFC, and what he did and gave me (see picture in gallery) after was something I really treasure. But the best gift was that Dennis was a friend and someone who was fun and unique to be around.
Thanks for all you’ve done for everyone who is, was and will be a firefighter.
Rest in Peace, Brother Dennis.
—Billy Goldfeder, Deputy Chief, Loveland Symmes, OH, Fire Department and Firehouse's Close Calls columnist
Thanks for an amazing fire service career and a life well lived, Dennis Smith. You have inspired a nation of firefighters while helping others to understand what happens inside of the walls of an American firehouse. May God bless and keep you in His Kingdom! Please say hello to Bruno and Harvey for all of us. Dennis Smith will be forever missed and remembered. Rest easy, Brother, we have your watch.
—Dennis Rubin, Fire Chief (ret.), Washington, D.C., Fire and EMS and Firehouse author
In 1976, Dennis founded our magazine, Firehouse Magazine. He was our first editor and established the primary literary foundation for what we are today. In the inaugural issue's editorial column, he told us to communicate “freely and regularly.” He assured us that our Firehouse will “tell it like it is.” Firehouse was the contemporary forum for discussion, sharing ideas and science, learning other perspectives, and discovering the truth of a brotherhood and sisterhood that connects us so tightly today.
He set the standard for the literature product and boldly put challenging topics on the forefront of society. He was the origin of the legacy that is our magazine, Firehouse.
So, reflect on Dennis’ contribution and ask yourself, what will your legacy be to the fire service that gave you so much? Honor Dennis by taking a risk.
—Brian Schaeffer, Fire Chief, Spokane, WA, Fire Department and Firehouse Editorial Advisory Board Member
It was an honor and true pleasure to have Dennis as a friend. He will be missed, but his legacy lives on through his works and causes that he supported. RIP dear friend. You made this world a better place, and we will miss you!
—Charles Werner, Fire Chief (ret.), Charlottesville, VA, Fire Department, Firehouse's Fire Technology columnist and member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame
If ever there was a “renaissance firefighter,” Dennis Smith was it. I was a young firefighter in Phoenix when he published “Report from Engine Co. 82” and was inspired by the stories he told and his writing style. He shared the realities of firefighting like no other person I had known.
Dennis and I became friends in the 1970s and remained pals through the years. He encouraged me to write, instruct and appreciate the fire service through a lens of traditional and nontraditional views.
He was one of a kind, and I will miss him. Rest easy, my friend!
—Dennis Compton, Fire Chief (ret.), Mesa, AZ, Fire Department and member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame
The 1980s were the golden age of magazines; the internet had not yet arrived. Dennis Smith used the proceeds and movie rights from his best-selling book, “Report from Engine Co. 82,” to build a business empire called Firehouse Inc. The magazine had its headquarters in an elegant office off 53rd Street and Madison Avenue. Elevators trimmed with polished brass, wood panels and mirrors brought you up to a large, five-room office with “Firehouse Magazine" written in gold on the door.
The Wall Street Journal said the mission of Dennis Smith’s Firehouse Inc. was to educate, entertain and equip the firefighters of America. He was doing just that. Firehouse had the largest fire magazine circulation in America, it produced firefighting training videos and had Firehouse Expo.
It was bewildering to leave my gritty South Bronx firehouse after a night tour and meet Dennis in the fashionable Madison Avenue neighborhood and be taken to lunch in a four-star restaurant. I enjoyed the lunches, and Dennis enjoyed hearing about fires in the South Bronx, where he had worked years before.
—Vincent Dunn, Deputy Chief (ret.), FDNY, longtime Firehouse contributing editor and member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame
I recall being a young firefighter in North Providence, finding a well-worn copy of "Report from Engine Co. 82" sitting on a firehouse table. Perhaps 18 at the time, when I should have been studying organic chemistry and physiology, Dennis’ writing drew me in. I could not put the book down. He had the ability to capture in words what drew me, and perhaps all of us, to be firefighters. Dennis understood the very essence of the job and was able to convey that to the masses.
He was indeed as brilliant, energetic, insightful and, at times, cantankerous as anyone I have ever met. He could have done many things with his life. He chose to be a firefighter.
—J. Curtis Varone, Deputy Assistant Chief (ret.), Providence, RI, Fire Department, Firehouse's Fire Law columnist and member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame
While no longer an active firefighter, he remained passionate about his causes, spending countless time and energy on charitable and legislative endeavors that helped the fire service. After 9/11, he, like many other retirees, worked the pile at Ground Zero, because, more than anything, he never forgot where he came from. Dennis left the job. The job never left Dennis. He will be missed.
—Barry Furey, Firehouse contributing editor and member of the Firehouse Hall of Fame
These tributes and more can be found at firehouse.com/21254109.
Firehouse Staff
Content written and created by Firehouse Magazine editors.
