Part 19 (1/2)
CHAPTER 18.
”ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER save!” exclaimed Tony.
”You know it! What are we? Three for three this week?” gloated Gina.
The two medics walked into the lounge at the station, practically floating at another successful call. In truth, they had been very busy this week. There had been two full codes that they brought back to life. The third call wasn't exactly a save. It was more of a good catch and speedy preemptive care.
”Yeah, I think so,” crowed Tony.
Bran tossed a pillow at him as he crossed in front of the television. We hadn't had the same luck this week. It seemed every call was either a frequent flyer, someone too sick to help, or someone not actually sick enough to need our help. Weeks like that can get frustrating.
”Hey you two, you're doing great this week But just remember, the call volume G.o.ds can change your fortune in a heartbeat! Don't gloat, it's unseemly!”
The voice came from the doorway and we all turned to look. It was the captain and he was grinning as he came in the room.
”Hey, Cap! You want some coffee?” Tony called as he headed to the kitchen with his mug.
”Sure, Tony, thanks. Black is good if it's fresh.”
”Tony, I just made it. Bring me a cup too please!” I called into the next room.
”Got it, Donny! Anyone else?”
Bran grinned. ”Sure, Super Medic, I'd like a cup too!”
Tony laughed as he came in with the mugs. ”Hey, when you are as good as us, it is good to be humble enough to serve some coffee.”
”d.a.m.n, Tony! You've been in a good mood lately! Dating someone new?” I joked.
To my surprise, he blushed. In fact, he turned bright red and started stammering. Apparently, I had hit the nail on the head.
Gina started laughing so hard that tears ran down her face. The rest of us just looked at each other with puzzled expressions.
When she caught her breath, Gina explained. ”Tony came out with me one night when I met Pauli at a bar after s.h.i.+ft. She brought along one of her new crew mates and the two of them hit it off. Tony's been on a cloud ever since.”
The rest of us started laughing at the thought of Tony settling down. I decided to defend him though. ”You know what? I think it is great, Tony! You finally found someone in the service, but out of our station! May it work out!” I raised my mug to him and the others followed suit.
”As great as that news is, I came down here for another reason,” said Captain Williams. ”Donny, I need you and Bran to go help out at the Academy again this week. Tomorrow at oh eight hundred rendezvous with Kristy at the Academy field for details. Questions?”
”Any special equipment we need to bring?”
”Just you and your turnout gear. You don't need a rig either, just go over in your personal vehicles.”
I shrugged and looked over at Bran. She seemed to be less surprised but she kept her mouth shut. ”Sure thing, Cap.”
I rolled up to the main parking for the Academy at oh seven fifty, allowing plenty of time to walk over to the main area with my gear bag. I didn't see anyone else around but I didn't think anything of it. I a.s.sumed Kristy would be coming from the faculty lot and Bran might be running a few minutes behind me. I set my bag down and sat on top of it, nursing the cup of coffee I had picked up on my way.
At oh eight hundred, I stood up and tossed my now empty coffee cup into a nearby trash can. Still no sign of anyone. I wasn't sure what was going on but I decided to wait a few more minutes before calling someone. Finally, at oh eight oh five, I heard a car pull up. Bran joined me a few minutes later with her gear bag and three cups of coffee. She handed me one before setting her bag down.
”Thanks, Bran. Where's Kristy?”
”I don't know. I thought she would be here by now.”
Suddenly, a radio crackled to life from nearby. I looked around to locate the source of the sound. I found a portable two-way radio behind the bleachers near us. Trotting over, I picked it up just as I heard it crackle again.
”Medic supervisor two two three, respond” I knew that voice. I knew it intimately. Something weird was going on and Caity was involved somehow.
I keyed up the mike and answered, ”This is medic supervisor two two three, Go ahead.”
”Medic supervisor two two three, you have two minutes to gear up. Repeat, two minutes to gear up before your next transmission.”
I had no idea what was happening, but I decided it was best to go along for now. ”Copy that, two minutes for full gear. Medic supervisor standing by.”
I looked over at Bran and shrugged. ”I don't know what's going on, but let's gear up! Did Kristy say anything to you about this?”
Bran shook her head at me. ”Nope, she didn't say a word to me about anything for today.”
We were finis.h.i.+ng fastening our turnout coats when the radio called again. ”Medic supervisor two two three.”
”Medic supervisor, go ahead.”
”Medic supervisor two two three, report to the smokehouse ASAP. Repeat, report to the smokehouse with crew, ASAP.”
”Copy, report to the smokehouse with crew.”
I looked over at Bran. She was looking over at the smokehouse across the field from us. She raised her hand to point. I followed her hand and saw the smoke starting to rise from the training facility for firefighters.
”s.h.i.+t! Let's go! I don't know what's going on but I don't like it one bit!” I grabbed the radio and clipped it to my coat then headed towards the smoke with Bran. We fastened our helmets as we trotted the hundred or so yards. When we arrived, we saw no one around. I keyed up the radio again. ”Medic supervisor two two three is on location. Report.”
No response. Just as I was about to lose patience and key up again, the radio woke up. ”Medic supervisor two two three, you have a two story structure with smoke showing. Fire crew is delayed and there are reports of two victims inside. Self contained breathing apparatus for two is en route to you now. Make entry once you are properly geared and find those two victims.”
I was frustrated now. I didn't mind helping at the Academy, in fact, I usually loved it. This run around with no information was getting on my nerves though, and I hated going into the smoke filled training house. ”Dispatch, medic supervisor two two three. What is going on here? Why are we being asked to make entry? I thought we were here to a.s.sist in a training exercise!”
”Medic supervisor two two three, follow orders and it will be discussed during your debriefing.” I couldn't tell what was going on from the tone of Caity's voice and she wasn't giving any hints. The fact that she was involved made me feel a little better at least, but I still didn't like the feel of things.
”Hey, over there! There's a golf cart coming!” called Bran.
Sure enough, a guy drove up to us and used his thumb to point out the two SCBAs in the cart. I sighed but lifted one out. Bran did likewise and the guy in the cart took off without saying one word to us. We checked the gear, making sure that it had a full charge of air and that there was a good seal on the masks. We helped each other into the tanks and with one more look at each other, we prepared to mask up and make entry. Before going in, I reported in by radio. ”Dispatch, medic supervisor and crew prepared to make entry. Any additional information on the two victims?”
”Medic supervisor two two three, victims reported on second floor. Back up is en route, ETA ten minutes.”
”Copy that, making entry now.”
We got close to the doorway, put on the masks, and checked again for airflow. I motioned Bran to follow me in and we felt along the walls to the staircase. Thankfully, I was familiar with the layout and got us to the stairs with relative ease. The building had filled with smoke, making it difficult to see even a few inches in front of us. Everything would be done by touch.