Leave your Thumbprint

In the high-stakes world of firefighting, success is measured not just by skill and bravery, but by the legacy we leave behind. Leave Your Thumbprint is a powerful tribute to the often-overlooked force shaping the fire service from within: mentorship. Drawing from decades of frontline experience and instructional leadership, Wayne Jones explores how meaningful guidance and personal connection transform ordinary training into lasting impact.

This book is both a heartfelt call to action and a practical roadmap for fire service instructors, officers, and leaders. Through compelling real-world examples, actionable strategies, and deeply personal reflections, Jones illustrates how mentorship nurtures emotional intelligence, resilience, leadership, and team cohesion-qualities critical to survival and success in one of the most demanding professions.

Whether you're a seasoned veteran looking to give back or a new instructor aiming to build a culture of excellence, Leave Your Thumbprint offers the tools and inspiration to forge strong mentor-mentee relationships, create lasting departmental change, and safeguard the future of the fire service. It's not just about teaching the job-it's about shaping people, building legacies, and leaving a mark that endures long after the fire is out.