By EMS1 Staff
Whether you’re seeking inspiration, looking to sharpen your leadership skills or aiming to expand your clinical expertise, reading is a powerful tool for professional growth in EMS.
We’ve gathered book recommendations from EMS leaders and EMS1 contributors, as well as book excerpts showcasing reads that cater to EMTs, paramedics and EMS supervisors. These picks cover leadership, clinical practice, personal development and even children’s books to inspire the next generation of EMS professionals.
Let these titles motivate you to learn, grow, and lead in the ever-evolving world of emergency medical services.
Dive into a good book
These tools and services make it easy to get started on your reading list.
Take thousands of books with you anywhere with this Kindle that reads like real paper, even in sunlight, with a 6.8” display and adjustable warm light, and up to 10 weeks of battery life.
Perfect for busy book lovers, an Audible membership allows you to enjoy your favorite reads during your commute, while running errands or during your workout.
Stream video, read books and news, play games and browse the internet with the Kindle Fire HD 10. High-resolution display and up-to 13 hours of battery life.
This special edition Kindle for young readers comes with a high-resolution display, a cover, 1 year of Amazon Kids+, and a 2-year warranty.
Top book picks from EMS leaders, EMS1 contributors
Advance in your career, climb the ladder and inspire the next generation of EMTs with these top EMS picks.
Books
From learning resources to comic relief, there’s something for everyone
The books were used to illustrate key concepts, support the speaker’s principles or to call on other leaders to be lifelong learners
These nine leaderships books have been voted among the best in the genre
Books
Next time you select a book for your child, consider these EMS-themed reads
Book excerpts
From reflections on harrowing calls, to communication tips, legal advise and even a children’s book, check out these excerpts before choosing your next read.
Books
“An eastbound freight train with a gigantic wooden bumper had struck a car, leaving several passengers trapped and critically injured – some of them actually under the train. The vehicle was a piece of twisted wreckage and only shreds of wood remained of the train’s bumper, but the train seemed to be untouched.”
Books
“You pull into a commercial parking lot and find a large 80s-style sedan with a couple of people standing around it. It is head-on into the concrete base of a parking lot light pole. You notice the front grill is compressed, the hood is crumpled, and an elderly gentleman is standing outside talking to two other individuals, and he appears upset.”
“People skills are the soup stock you can use to cook up answers to the full range of the human emergency spectrum, from critical situations, to medical and trauma challenges, to routine transfers. You may not be in a position to say a single word out loud, but as a member of the team arriving to help you can still “say” a great deal by such actions as wiping your shoes as you enter.”
“‘I’m not sure the best way to say it, so I’ll just say it.’ She paused and looked him in the eyes. ‘I’m worried about your drinking.’”
Books
“At some point in your EMS career, you will likely find yourself under investigation for something. Not only is it very easy – and common – anymore for people to complain about one thing or another, but now more than ever, every complaint receives some sort of follow up and that usually means an investigation.”
“The doorman greets us with a Brooks Brothers nod as we enter the structure. I kept having this peculiar feeling about this call though. Low and behold, as we walk through the foyer, the elevator opens and a man in his 50’s runs towards us covered in blood. ‘You have to help me!’ He screamed frantically.”
“Often times after my husband gets off shift, I make it a point to first ask him what he needs before I discuss any tasks I have for him. I want his wellness to come first and our to-do list second.”
“Dispatching Frederick the Paramedic. Respond to the Giggle Grove indoor playground for an allergic emergency!”
Shop the recommendations
Leadership picks
- Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
- The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness
- The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact
- Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’s, Praise and Other Bribes
- People Care
- Flow-based leadership
- Barn Boss Leadership: Make the Difference
- Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations
- Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
- Leading the Unleadable: How to Manage Mavericks, Cynics, Divas, and Other Difficult People
- What Millennials Want from Work: How to Maximize Engagement in Today’s Workforce
- Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want
- The Founder’s Mentality: How to Overcome the Predictable Crises of Growth
- Pass it on: The 2nd Alarm
EMS memoirs
- Paramedic: On the Front Lines of Medicine
- Rescuing Providence
- I Am Not An Ambulance Driver
- ‘Paramedic chief - Extraordinary experiences from the streets of Los Angeles’
- Friday Night Lights: A Compilation of Calls for Real Life Pre-Hospital Case-Based Learning
- Streetsense: Communication, Safety, and Control
- Wreck and Return: An EMT’s journey into and out of darkness
- Sirens, Lights, and Lawyers: The Law & Other Really Important Stuff EMS Providers Never Learned in School
- First responder: A paramedic’s memoir
- The Firefighter Family Academy: A Guide to Educate and Prepare Spouses for the Career Ahead
Clinical picks
- 12-Lead ECG: The Art of Interpretation
- 12-Lead ECG for Acute and Critical Care Providers
- The 12-Lead ECG in Acute Coronary Syndromes
- Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide
- Toxicologic Emergencies
- Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary
- Dorland’s Illustrated Medical Dictionary
- The Physicians’ Desk Reference
- The Nursing Drug Handbook
Children’s books
- Frederick the Paramedic: Respond to the Allergic Reaction
- Please Don’t Dance In My Ambulance
- Frederick the Paramedic
- Ambulance in Action
- Ambulances on the Move
- Paramedics to the Rescue
- Roscoe the Volunteer EMT
- Ambulances to the Rescue Around the World
- Ambulances (Seedlings)
First Responder Deals & Discounts
Discounts available for Military, First Responders, and Government Employees.
Save up to 5% off barbells bumper plates, benches, power racks, kettlebells, squat racks, slam balls.
Save 15% off workout supplies. All products are made in the USA.
Save up to 10% off zirconia flap discs, general-duty diamond blades.
The 26oz. Shaker features a patented, noise-free twist on agitator that is designed to blend protein powders and work as a strainer to ensure a perfect drink every time.
Save up to 15% off snowboards, splitboards, apparel + accessories.
Save up to 15% off true wireless headphones, earbuds, microphones, gaming gear and office accessories.
Save 50% off gold men’s jewelry and watches.
Save up to 10% off artificial Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands, Christmas accessories.
Save 20% off t-shirts, hats, décor, outerwear.
Save up to 25% off hideout pack, Grafton pen, holden wallet.
Save 15% off jeans, tees, shirts, accessories, pants, shorts, outerwear and more.
Save up to 20% off men’s shirts, women’s shorts, and workout gear.
Save up to 10% off travel bags, camera, luggage, accessories.
Save up to 15% off water bottles, sleeves, kits, and accessories.
Save 20% off men’s sunglasses, everyday sunglasses, and eyewear collections.
Save 15% off washers and dryers, kitchen and laundry appliances, parts, and accessories.
This PREMIUM wall mount flagpole is built to withstand the harsh elements and keep that like new finish.
This 5-in-1 toy set is a fantastic mix of aviation, rescue, and construction vehicles, all inspired by beloved Holiday Hess Toy Trucks and recreated in remarkable small-scale detail.
Keep it light when carrying on with the durable, well-equipped, lightweight Maxlite® Air Carry-on Expandable Hardside Spinner. The 100% polycarbonate exterior is engineered to flex if impacted to prevent splitting, cracking or punctures, and a stylish exterior finish reduces visible scratches or scuffs.
Sitka Mountain Evo Jacket - Backcountry hunting and other high-exertion mountain pursuits demand more from your outerwear. You need protection from the elements but also gear that moves with you and breathes easily without weighing you down.
Verified heroes get 2% back and free shipping, plus more exclusive offers.
Save up to 30% off mobile, tv and audio, appliance, computing, displays and accessories.
Save 10% off shoes and sneakers, clothing, and accessories.
Save up to 10% off hollow-point coffee.
Save up to 20% off coffee roasters and accessories.
Save 10% off grinds coffee pouches.
Save up to 15% off s3 coffee, water bottles and more.
Save up to 25% off men’s training gear, tactical shorts.
Save 40% off sunglasses and safety glasses.
Recommended For You
These stores and restaurants are showing their gratitude to fire and EMS professionals with an abundance of discounts
Find deals on duty gear, household supplies, electronic devices and more — but only for a limited time
On National Punctuation Day, test your knowledge of punctuation
Discover how providers can improve sleep and fight fatigue with simple changes like air filters, blackout curtains and humidity control
Dive into a curated collection of must-read public safety books, from thrilling accounts and leadership lessons from the front lines, to read-aloud children’s favorites
Books about the catastrophic 9/11 attacks and the long return to normalcy are crucial to the historical record of those we lost and how we moved forward
From paddleboarding and kayaking to fishing in remote areas, discover the gear, training and self-defense strategies outdoor enthusiasts need to stay safe on the water
Insulated, smart, and high-capacity bottles designed to help first responders beat dehydration on shift and beyond
What they’ll never tell you about why we stay
From smartwatches to hydration, here are four mission-ready picks to help you build strength, regulate stress and stay fit for the job — and for life
Score discounted duty gear, workout tools and everyday essentials July 8-11 with our curated list of budget-friendly buys
The series offers a window into the experiences of first responders through the use of real stories from real law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMTs
Even if you can’t travel out of town for a vacation, you can still make the most of your time off; here are some tips to help responders enjoy a staycation right at home
Prime Day 2025 is a chance for first responders to replace worn gear or upgrade tech
EMS1 is using generative AI to create some content that is edited and fact-checked by our editors. This article, originally published in December 2024, has been updated.
