I want to make sure that my backup scripts are correct, so I am
looking for some examples...

Right now I perform the following:

gbak -backup to a temp file in a /backup directory
if exit code ok
gbak -create to restore to a /temp directory
if exit code ok
stop firebird service
move good restore into /production directory
rename as original database name
start firebird service
gzip original temp backup file in /backup dir

My questions... is there a better way to do this?

Instead of shutting down the firebird service... should I use gfix -sh
instead like this:

gfix -sh -f 600 database
move good restore into /production directory
rename as original database name
gfix -online database

Many thanks,
--Raymond