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We climb into the cab.
“So, Molly’s cool with stepping in as our damsel in distress?” Rachel says as she starts up the engine.
“Sorry. What? What did I miss? Molly’s doing what?”
“You didn’t tell her about the change of plan, Cam?”
Charlie fills me in on details as I scroll through messages on my phone. How could I miss something? I don’t miss things. I’m a stickler for detail. That’s why Dex put me in charge. The message is there. It was sent earlier. I guess I didn’t see it because I was watching Doggy Dress-ups.
“Rachel’s friend can’t make it. She’s not here. Family emergency or something,” says Charlie. “So, we need someone to rescue.”
“Rachel. You do it,” I say with more force than necessary.
“Listen, guys. I’m a trained fire department professional who is here to do the job of rescuing.” Rachel’s face is fierce, nostrils flaring. “Not the job of being rescued, okay?”
“It’s not too late. Who else can we ask?” I say, trying to think of an alternative to Molly, but my mind is blank.
“What do you mean, Who else can we ask? I thought you and Molly were, you know…” says Charlie looking puzzled.
“No. No, we’re not. And I don’t know if she’s even available right now.”
“Well, Cam. You could try calling her,” says Rachel as if I’m five years old.
“Call her, Cam,” says Charlie. “Or it’ll be a pretty lame rescue demonstration if there isn’t anyone to rescue.”
“Fine.”
I dial Molly’s number. It rings and part of me hopes she doesn’t pick up. The other half is desperate that she does.
“Hey Cam.” Molly’s voice at last. “Hold on,” she says loudly. “I’ll just get to a quieter spot…” I hear kids laughing and high-pitched squeals in the background. She’s at the funfair, I guess. Then she’s back on. “What’s up?”
“I need to ask a favor.”
“Ask away. Although I’m not saying I’ll do it.”
“Okay. Here’s the thing… The volunteer we had organized for the fire demo has pulled out at the last minute and we need someone to rescue.” I breathe deeply and shake my head as I anticipate a negative response. “I know it’s short notice and I wouldn’t ask you if there was anyone else…” The end of my sentence hangs on the line between us, unresolved. “Molly? You still there?”
I hear Molly sigh into her handset, then she says, “Alright. What do you want me to do?”
“Molly. You’re a savior. Thank you so much.”
I lean back on the headrest and give my crew the thumbs up. They yelp collectively and Rachel shifts the firetruck into gear, and we slowly move away. I give Molly a brief rundown of what’s going to happen. The firetruck rumbles on. I ask her to make her way to the tower in the lower pasture, climb up to the top, and prepare to get rescued. I tell her that Tony is already down there at the site and expecting her. I check the time, calculating how long it would take Molly to get to the tower. We can do this. Relieved and grateful, I open the window, stick my arm out, and slap the door. It’s only a short drive down a farm access track. The gate to the lower pasture has been left open for us.
We have been lucky with the weather so far. The ground is firm and unseasonably dry. Clouds are beginning to build, blocking the sun. But there’s no sign of rain, yet. Up ahead, people are already seated on the grassy bank. I can see Tony by the tower. I check the time as Rachel slows to a stop.
“Alright. Remember what we’ve practiced.” I say as we suit up in full protective gear. “It’s going to be a bit different from what we’re used to at the station, but that’s what we do, right? It’s a demo, but let’s go in there as if it’s for real, okay?”
“Got it, chief.”
We wait only a few minutes until we see Tony setting the fire. He activates the smoke generator, our cue for action. It’s controlled and safe, but I know that from where the audience is sitting, the fire will appear impressively dangerous with flames leaping high in front of the tower.
Rachel shifts into gear, revving the engine, as Charlie flicks on the emergency strobe beacons, headlights, and siren. The firetruck zooms to the tower in seconds. I know this is a drill, but I still get an adrenaline rush. It’s all systems go.
I jump out followed by Charlie and Rachel. We secure the stabilizers before Rachel and I climb up onto the roof of the truck to release the aerial ladder. Tony pulls up the roller door, unclips the hose, and Charlie turns the wheel for water pressure. We move methodically, unhurried but with purpose. My team knows exactly what to do and in which order. We are the kind of well-oiled machine that only comes from meticulous study and rigorous training.
I see Molly waving from the top of the tower, as she’s been instructed to do. I guide the extended ladder into position at the top, close to where she’s standing. Molly is doing an excellent job of looking scared. Even I’m convinced she’s terrified.
When we practiced at the station, Tony was the one climbing the ladder and bringing the volunteer, a possibly distressed and injured person, safely out of the simulated burning building. However, due to the updated arrangements regarding the volunteer, we swapped roles. I couldn’t allow anyone but me to rescue Molly.
