Hicks Seeks Aid for ‘Fire Engine’ Book

Station 23 Firefighter John Hicks has completed his first illustrated children’s book, “Johnny Fire Engine,” and needs help publishing it through Kickstarter (a private for-profit company that provides tools to raise funds for creative projects through its website).

Hicks’ colorful 32-page picture book (illustrated by Miguel Romo) will appeal to youngsters as they watch the vividly illustrated firefighters in action. Each page also contains a firefighting fact just for adults (such as the reason firefighters chop a hole in the ceiling of a burning building).

Hicks hopes to raise $6,500 to help defray his illustrating fees and lower the printing cost to customers. A donor who gives $15 to Kickstarter will receive a copy of the book; $100 will earn 10 copies. If Hicks does not reach his goal by noon on October 5, everything is null and void.

Ten years ago, the 28-year fire department veteran started writing a 10-page film treatment, but “It turned into a 200-page manuscript. After that, the floodgates opened and I started writing a new book almost every year.”

Hicks has published one adult book and four adventure chapter books (ages 8 and up), including “My Buddypack,” the tale of a young boy who comes across what appears to be an empty back pack—but is not; “The Ghost of Fire Company 18,” about a woman firefighter whose company is transferred to a temporary station haunted by a ghost; and “The Day Charlie Lost His Weirdness,” a coming-of-age tale.

Hicks, who transferred to Fire Station 23 (Sunset at Los Liones) a year ago, said his adult book, “First Responders Handbook of Humor,” is actually two books in one. The first part is a humorous yet serious approach to stress, and the second part recounts humorous stories from first responders from across the United States.

Hicks has his own publishing company, Quiet Man, and sells his books through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

When not at Station 23, he continues to pursue his career as an author and has plans for his next illustrated children’s books, “Johnny Star” about the birth of stars and “Johnny Police Car.”

He and his wife, Nancy, live in Santa Clarita and have three children: Kevin, a mechanical engineer, and Kelly, and Brian, who both attend Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo.

“I have a 45-minute presentation I make in schools,” he said. “I speak about how I got into writing and the importance of reading. I don’t charge schools to speak, but I do ask for the opportunity to sell books (at a discounted price).”

To help Hicks, go to: kickstarter.com and in the search bar, type Johnny Fireengine.