Trial by FIRE: A Photojournalist’s Return to the Flames is a photo-based book with compelling stories, chronicling a 50-year journey into the heart of American firefighting. In the summers of 1975 and 1976, young photojournalist Robert H. Miller embedded with the Quincy, Massachusetts, Fire Department, riding the rigs, racing into burning buildings, and documenting the courage, grit, and unspoken brotherhood of first responders.

Half a century later, Miller returned to those same firehouses, cameras in hand, to witness a transformed profession. Through vivid color photography, intimate portraits, and gripping first-hand accounts, Trial by FIRE juxtaposes the raw, black-and-white images of the past with today’s high-definition visuals, capturing both the timeless spirit of service and the stark realities of modern firefighting.

More than a photography collection, this visual narrative honors the men and women who run toward danger, revealing the emotional weight of the job, the evolution of fire service culture, and the human stories that bind generations together. Trial by FIRE is a powerful tribute to resilience, public service, and the enduring courage behind the sirens.