Heat, Heart,
& Humanity
True Stories: Behind the Sirens
About The Book
Step into the world behind the sirens with Heat, Heart, & Humanity, a raw memoir from firefighter paramedic Erik Mendoza. Drawing on over 14 years on one of the nation’s busiest rescue units, Mendoza pulls back the curtain on life inside the firehouse, the rescue and fire truck, and the chaos of emergency scenes.
This isn’t a book about being a hero. It’s about being human. The calls that linger long after shift change, the moments that test your limits, and the people you fight to save. Through gripping true stories filled with emotion, dark humor, and brutal honesty, Mendoza honors those who show up when everything is on the line.
Written not to glorify the work, but to remember it, honor it, and pass it on.
Thanks for riding along.
Who is Erik?
Erik Mendoza is a fire department lieutenant, real estate broker, entrepreneur, and author. He is the owner of West Third Real Estate, CEO and creator of the Real Estate Checklist App and The Mortgage Company List, and the creator of VP ATC, a logbook designed to help virtual pilots communicate with air traffic control. A proud father and devoted husband, Erik brings the same discipline, compassion, and real-world experience from his professional life into his storytelling.
