Gary Cornell, born in 1953, has been a lifelong resident of East Liverpool, Ohio, graduating from East Liverpool High School in 1971. In 1975, He was appointed to the East Liverpool Fire Department where he rose to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief before retiring in 2007 after a career of more than thirty-two years. A lifelong passion for history has led him to become the historian for the fire department. his involvement with disasters during his career has served as an inspiration in the writing of this book. He has been married to his wife, Laure, for over thirty-five years. They have two children.