Firefighter Writer Publishes Fourth Children's Book

FDNY Firefighter Tim Hoppey is not only a 25-year veteran of the Fire Service, he's also a published author, with four children's books under his belt.

He's already published his fourth children's book - with a fifth on the way this fall - but Firefighter Tim Hoppey remains humble about his success.

"It's been good," the 25-year FDNY firefighter says, smiling, when asked about his success as an author.

Two of his published books have been inspired by his work as a firefighter at Engine 91 in Manhattan. The most recent, The Good Fire Helmet, was published in December 2010.

The book chronicles two young brothers who use their father's fire helmet to help them be brave. He said he was inspired to write the book after seeing two boys holding their father's fire helmet after his funeral in the late 1990s.

He began shopping the book to publishers just before the attacks of Sept.11, 2001. Not wanting to be exploiting the tragedy, he shelved his plans until recently, dedicating the book to the children of his friend, Tom Dennis, who worked for Canter Fitzgerald and died in the North Tower that day.

Another book, Tito the Firefighter, was inspired by the children in the Spanish Harlem neighborhood where Firefighter Hoppey works.

He said he had "always written more as a hobby" after being inspired by a professor at Hobart College. Since then, he said he has written numerous manuscripts for novels and children's books alike.

After graduating, Firefighter Hoppey said he knew he did not want a desk job, so he decided to take the test to become a firefighter after seeing an advertisement for the exam in a local paper.

He now combines his love for firefighting and his love for writing, by going into schools to read his work to children and giving them firefighting demonstrations.

Now he's looking forward to reading his books to his first grandchild, due in autumn.