AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ChapterFour
BRYCE
Ispent more time with Jake Barrett than any single person in the world. He was my best friend, lieutenant, and right-hand man.
There was something about walking into a fire together that built a connection quickly. Even if Jake and I hadn’t been friends our whole lives, I wouldn’t want anyone else on my six. Hanging out with him at the firehouse was usually just like hanging out on our off time. Except for the potential interruption by a fire, EMS, or rescue call.
I hadn’t been joking when I told the second graders that I let Jake drive the engine. Partly because he was a better driver, but also because my job as the officer was to collect information on the scene, communicate with other departments, and create our strategy for whatever the situation called for.
That was the role I was playing right now, as we took our engine west onto Highway 40 toward what sounded to be a nasty accident. I had already put out a call for dispatch to notify volunteers to come with the rescue truck. If we couldn’t get the driver out, we would need the special saws from that truck.
As we came up on the scene, my heart sank. I switched into action mode in the heat of the moment. There was no time for emotion. I saw the smoke coming from the crumpled engine and let it dictate my instructions. The red flashing lights from the engine bounced eerily off the trees that lined the highway as I evaluated the rest of the scene.
I spoke to Jake as he parked the engine. “You work on getting some water on the front end. Matteo and I will work on exfil.”
He jumped out, and I waved Matteo over after he got out of the ambulance. I hustled toward the driver seat of the crumpled car, noting the unconscious driver. I couldn’t tell how badly she was hurt, but it didn’t look good. I reached through the window and pressed a finger against her neck. There was a pulse—strong and steady. Praise the Lord.
A deluge of water hit the engine to my left, and I mentally applauded Jake for his hustle. With the threat of an engine fire extinguished, we could focus on getting this woman out.
An hour later, there were now six firefighters on the scene. I shook Todd’s hand. “Thanks for coming out. Do you need anything to get 402 back to Station #2?” We had to cut through the high-strength frame of the car to get the driver out, so it was a good thing these guys brought the rescue truck.
“We got it,” Todd confirmed. “I’m going to head back to my shop and get back to work. It’s almost morning anyway, and Chrissy wants a new desk in her office. We still on for the game next week?”
I nodded. “Yep. See you at Bulldog’s.”
Todd and the other volunteers took off to return the rescue truck to Station #2. Jake and Matteo were long gone with the victim, headed to Terre Haute in the ambulance. I would drive the truck back to the station myself. And pray another call didn’t come in while they were gone.
All in all, it was lucky it wasn’t more serious, but slick roads and high speeds made for busy shifts. The Toyota had been wrapped around the tree, but the driver seemed like she would be fine—aside from two broken legs and a nasty bump on the head. Far from the worst thing I’d seen.
I filled up the tank for the engine before returning it to the firehouse. I wouldn’t want to be caught off guard if we got another call.
Then I collapsed in the recliner. I’d just close my eyes for a minute.
A hand clapped on my shoulder, and I jolted awake.
“Sleeping on the job?”
Jake’s face registered in front of me, and I gave a weak smile. “When I can,” I replied. “That was a long one.”
He sat in the other chair. “Tell me about it. I think Matteo is already asleep upstairs.”
“He did good today.” Matteo was the newest firefighter in the station. I remembered how scary it had been to go on my first calls, especially when my crew was the first one on the scene. Showing up as a volunteer, to assist when incident command was already established, was one thing. Being part of the first-response team was different.
I knew that my role as an officer would impact how he handled being in that position though. If I was in control, all Matteo had to do was focus on his job. Jake and I made sure he knew what his job was. After his nap, we would run through the scenarios together.
What if the engine had already been on fire?
What if there were multiple passengers?
What if there were multiple cars?
Walking through all the what-ifs would prepare us for responding efficiently in the real situations.
I checked my watch. 5 A.M. Maybe those scenarios would have to wait until next shift.
Jake yawned. “You need anything from me, cap?”
I shook my head. “Good job today. I bet you had water on it in ninety seconds.”
