Usually, I talk with a member of the fire service on this show, but today’s a bit different.

Brian McDonald is an author, but not a firefighter. He’s written several books about New York City, and his latest is about the FDNY.

Five Floors Up focuses on two firefighting families, and one man specifically. William Feehan worked his way from probie to Fire Commissioner. He lost his life on September 11, 2001, along with 342 other members of the FDNY who were at the World Trade Center scene.

As Brian tells his story, he delves into the history of the department, giving us an honest appraisal of its darker days and politics. Still, it’s an inspiring story of two families, covering four generations of everyday heroes.

Brian is a native New Yorker, born in the Bronx, He has written other non-fiction books about the city, with titles like My Father’s Gun and Last Call at Elaine’s.