Rick Kurelo, CD, served with the Canadian Airborne Regiment from 1989-1991 as well as with the Canadian Forces Reserves (Queen’s Own Rifles) in Bosnia in 2001 and in Afghanistan in 2008-2009.
As a psychological operations specialist in Afghanistan, Rick worked on a variety of missions outside the wire. He was injured by an improvised explosive device for which he received the distinguished battlefield decoration, the Sacrifice Medal. Rick was treated for PTSD following his return to Canada and is a strong advocate of effective mental health services for veterans. Rick retired from the military in 2012.
After 30 years of civilian firefighting, Rick retired from his role as Captain with Oshawa Fire Services in 2021, while he continues to work as a consultant in fire risk management with Harex Inc.
After many years of writing and recounting his touching and tragic stories, Rick was encouraged to put them together in a book. So he did in this memoir, Firefight: Battling fires in Canada, fighting wars overseas and finding humanity amid the chaos.
Firefight is available in print and eBook format at the following sites – just click on any of the links below to order the book online.
Buy Firefight online at:
FriesenPress.com
Amazon.ca
Amazon.com
Chapters Indigo
Barnes & Noble
Photo: Rick Kurelo, Captain, Oshawa Fire Services, October 2013.
FIREFIGHT 
Dearest Rick: I just had a great chat with your brother Ron at Tims. I hope we can get together soon and I will always cherish our profound debates through the years. I can’t wait to read your book. Dean Sirizzotti.
I have had pleasure and privilege of meeting Rick. I am anxiously awaiting release of his book. Great example of what it means to be CANADIAN.
Vic Potter
Hey Dean. Thanks very much!! Will let you know when it’s available – should be in the next few weeks.
Hi again Dean. Just to let you know that the book is available at FrisenPress.com as well as Amazon, ChaptersIndigo, Barnes & Noble and iTunes. Cheers, Rick.