by Gina Austin
Nick headed over to the captain’s office to talk to him. Even though the door was open, Nick knocked and said, “Good to see you Captain. Brought some pizza over. Would you care to join us?”
“In a minute.” Pausing for a moment to study Nick, the captain asked, “How are you Nick?”
“I’m good captain.”
“Yeah, I hear more than good. Because of you, Miss Taylor’s going to be shadowing us here at the station capturing how we work and live. She said she going to make us shine on News 7.”
“Yeah, I heard something about that. Look Captain, I want to apologize…” fire alarm rings.
“So much for pizza.” The captain says.
Captain Miller jumps out of his chair and stands in front of Nick and asks, “Can I trust you to follow the rules?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Welcome back then. Let’s go to work.” Captain Miller heads down the hallway, grabs and slides down the pole with Nick following behind. Everyone on the team already had their gear and was on the trucks. Sirens and lights blaring down the Chicago streets as the trucks race to the scene.
After getting detailed information from the police on the scene, the captain informs his men. “Alright listen up! Here’s the situation. Two window washers are dangling by their safety lines after losing their scaffold. One’s on the 15th floor, the other on the 12th. Truck ladder won’t extend that high so we’ll rappel down from the roof, grab them and rappel back down with them to street level. Since this is a glass tower and we can’t open windows to pull those guys in, Troy I want you to go to the 15th floor, find the office where that window washer’s in front of and write him a note telling him what we’re doing, tape it to the window so he can read it, make sure he understands and stay with him until we get him down. Mike, I want you to go with Troy and do the same for the other window washer on the 12th floor. Everyone understand their instructions?”
“Yes, sir” The team yelled.
“Grab the gear we need and head to the rooftop. Let’s go!”
Captain Miller thought, “Nicks my best rappeller. Good thing he came by today.”
On the rooftop, Captain Miller tells his men, “Let’s make these two beams the anchor right over here. When that’s done, I want that shackle right behind where I’m standing this very moment. Let’s get it done people.”
Orders are followed out as the captain instructs. Nick and Alex will be rappelling down together. Both are hooked up to the cable lines. “Are you both secure?” the captain asks.
“Yes sir.”
“Get it done gentlemen.” The captain said.
Both Nick and Alex lean back into their harness’s and begin to descend down floor by floor from the 30 story building. Once Nick reaches the 14th floor, he yells at the dangling man on the 12th floor, “You’re doing great. Just a little more and I’ll be right there.” Having arrived at the man’s side, Nick grabs the safety harness of the window washer and clips onto his safety harness on both sides.
“Ok sir, just lean back onto me and we are going down slowly.” They continue their descent and Nick knows he’s getting close to street level because he hears clapping and cheering from the street onlookers. Alex is descending with the other window washer and looking good. Nick arrives at street level, unhooks the window washer from his harness who turns around to hug Nick thanking him. EMS techs are standing by with gurney’s to check the two gentlemen. Nick and Alex give each other high five’s on another successful rescue, unknowing that Susan was reporting live and capturing the rescue on video.
Chapter 17
After hearing the situation of the dangling window washers on the news station scanner, Susan hurried out of the office immediately with James, her camera guy, to capture the breaking story. Jumping into the News 7 Van, they headed over to the scene on the north side of town.
When they arrived on the scene they were the third news station van to arrive on the scene. Police barricades had already been setup across the street but she needed to get closer to cover the story. Susan saw that Captain Miller was on the scene and he was talking to his men. It appeared that Nick was also back on duty. I’m happy for you Nick she thought as she made her way to the police barricade. Seeing a police officer she was familiar with she asked, “Hey Lou, good to see you again.”
“Heya Suzie. I’m sorry but I can’t let you near this one. Fire department’s calling the shots on this one today.” Officer Lou said.
“I understand Lou but if you can just check in with Captain Miller, I’ve already gotten clearance from him.”
“Hold on Suzie.” Officer Lou got on his radio and spoke to a fellow officer standing near Captain Miller.
“Heya Shea, Lou here, come in?”
“Yeah Lou?” Officer Shea responded.
“Ask the fire captain if it’s OK to let Miss Suzie Taylor in?” Officer Lou asked.
“One moment.” Officer Shea said. Susan could see that Officer Shea was talking to Captain Miller who nodded his head.
“She’s cleared Lou. Let her in.”
“Copy that.” Officer Lou replied. “OK Suzie, your in. Report straight to Captain Miller.” Officer Lou pointed to where Captain Miller was standing.
“Thanks Lou. You’re the best!” Susan said
“Now if only I can get my wife to believe that.” Officer Lou said jokingly.
Susan smiled back at him as she walked away. As she approached Captain Miller, she asked James if his camera was ready. He nodded yes. With her microphone in hand, she got the go ahead from the captain to start filming. Susan received a quick rundown from Captain Miller on the situation and what the rescue attempt plan was to get the window washers down. After capturing the brief update on video the captain informed her and James to stay in this area to film the rescue.
“I see Nick is back on duty Captain.” Susan said.
He was meant to be here today. He’s the best rappeller I have. I’m heading to the roof so have your camera ready. Those 2 washers will be down before you know it.” Captain Miller said.
Susan was glad to be here to capture this moment and to get an exclusive with the captain but she was happier to know that Nick was doing what he loved most and she was here to be a part of it all and see him live. Susan called her assignment editor Margaret and informed her of what was currently happening. Margaret placed Susan on hold as she called the news room. A couple of minutes later Margaret informed her that she would going live in 7 minutes and to make sure James is ready. Susan’s heart skipped a beat as she realized this was the moment she had been waiting for.
James signaled Susan with his fingers 3, 2, 1 and pointed for Susan to begin her live report.
While reporting the same information Captain Miller mentioned earlier, she overheard someone in the background state that they were starting to come down. Susan glanced up towards the tower, reporting on the two firefighting rappellers as they begin to lower themselves to the dangling helpless window washers. Even though Susan was in awe of Nick, she couldn’t help but notice some concern creeping into her thoughts. Knowing that he had been doing this for 10 years didn’t stop her from thinking, do be careful. Looking back at James after hearing him call her, he signals Susan that they are back on the air in 10 seconds. Continuing with her live report, she informs News 7 viewers that both window washers are connected to the rappelling rescuers and would be down shortly. Hearing the street onlookers break into thunderous applause as the two window washers are almost at street level with EMS techs waiting nearby. Chicago’s bravest have come to the rescue once again.
Chapter 18
Back at the firehouse, the captain prepares to make a toast while the ladder company enjoys a meal together. “Here’s to another successful rescue and everyone coming back to the fire house safe and unharmed.”
Alex adds, “Also want to personally welcome Nick back, I missed your lasagna.” Everyone around the table sharing in laughter.
Nick picks up his plate to take it to th
e kitchen with Susan doing the same. “So I hear you’ve been helping out down at the soup kitchen.” Nick said.
“I found it very refreshing to help. Helps me forget about my own problems.” Susan said.
“Susan Taylor, the expert in helping people out, has problems? I have trouble believing that one.” Nick teased.
“Oh, I’ve got problems like any other person and I’m no expert at helping.” Susan replied grinning.
“I don’t know how you can say that because you’ve certainly helped me plenty.”
“I have?”
Captivated by Susan’s hazel eyes, Nick softly said “Yes. You reminded me what it was like to laugh and be happy not just for yesterday or tomorrow but for today; for right now. ” Susan smiled and felt a sense of shyness as her cheeks turned rosy. She didn’t even know where to look because she felt such an irresistible connection with Nick.
Struggling with these emotions for Nick but wanting to stay true to Tom she said, “Well I should go.”
“Why?” Nick asked.
Hesitantly she admits, Tom and I have plans.
“But you’re coming back, right? I mean to start riding with us?”
“Definitely.” Susan assured him. But kept gazing at Nick and thinking I could love this man.
***
Tom was at the hotel apartment working on some spreadsheets when he decided to take a break from work. He began looking at a real estate website and asked Susan who was sitting in the living room, “How about us going house hunting in Tinley Park tomorrow?”
Tom brought his laptop over to Susan. “Look at this house. They’re having an open house tomorrow, huge lot, private setting. What do you think?”
“I hope it’s not too private; our kids won’t have anyone to play with.”
“Oh, they’ll play with other kids from school and the nanny.”
“The nanny?”
“Yes the nanny.”
“We never discussed that Tom.”
“With both of our salaries including my bonuses, will more than be able to afford it.
“That’s not the point. We need to discuss these things as a couple.”
“Why are we even discussing kids and nannies now anyway? We’re about 4 years away from that and you’ll most likely be a senior reporter by then pulling around $80,000 a year.”
“The decisions we make today will affect our future in a big way and I need you to understand my feelings on what I’m about to tell you.”
“I’m all ears.” Tom said while staring at his laptop.
“Please Tom, I want you to look at me.”
Tom looked at Susan as if she was inconveniencing him.
“I don’t have the desire to be a senior reporter because that would mean more hours chasing stories and less time with my husband. I don’t want a nanny because I don’t want a stranger raising our child, that’s my responsibility. And I definitely don’t want to wait 4 years to have our first child.
Tom looked as if a heavy burden was placed on his shoulders, “Sounds like you want to be a house wife and if that’s right, we’d lose a lot of income. We need to be realistic about this.”
“If we’re going to realistic about this, we shouldn’t even be looking at homes in Tinley Park. We’ll just be working to pay for our lifestyle with very little money left over for any investments or savings. We would become slaves to that home.”
“But between what we both make, we’ll have a huge down payment?”
Susan didn’t respond other than let out a deep breath. This just doesn’t feel right anymore!
Tom wondering what happened to the Susan he knew. “What do you see for us?”
“Tinley Park is very nice, but maybe we could find something closer, in this neighborhood maybe?” Tom stays silent but thinking the Susan I knew and loved died in that fire. I don’t recognize her anymore.
Chapter 19
Susan was excited on her first day of riding with the guys of Engine Company 43 especially to see Nick in action again. She arrived at 7:45 am during the stations shift change and James was already waiting for her in front of the station house. They both walked in together after being buzzed in, she quickly gravitated towards Nick, Mike and Alex. She told them how wonderful it was to physically experience the rescue of the 2 window washers and how James caught the live coverage of the event. Then she heard the captain taking roll call and she and James automatically stepped to the side beginning to observe. During roll call the captain officially welcomed and introduced both Susan and James informing the station’s crew that for the next 3 days Susan and James would be riding, observing and filming a special segment for News 7 to show viewers what the firefighting world was truly like.
Her perception was that life at the station was pretty laid back until some emergency developed. She quickly realized her perception couldn’t be any further from the truth. Shortly after roll call, Susan and James followed the captain to his office where they could begin with an interview. With James filming, Susan began the interview asking, “Captain Miller, would you please run down what a typical day for a firefighter would look like?” Susan asked.
“A typical day doesn’t exist in the firefighting world, but let’s assume there were no emergencies on a given day, a 24 hour shift with Engine Company 43 would consist of the following,
8am: roll call where everyone receives their assignments for the day.
8:15am: Everyone verifies that every piece of equipment is fully operational including each fire engine while the captain logs personnel, verifies any training or inspection schedules for the day and perform admin duties.
9:30am: Like any other home, a fire station is our 2nd home and we perform cleaning duties at this time.
10am: Workout time to stay in shape and maintain a level of fitness.
11am: This hour is usually filled for miscellaneous errands, for example, grocery shopping, loading up the fire truck with gas, picking up any medical supplies.
12pm: Lunch.
1pm: Our largest block of time till 5pm, is for any scheduled training events, business inspections or station maintenance. A training event could cover firefighting techniques, dealing with hazardous materials, updating paramedic skills or learning specialized rescue techniques. A fire engine company was responsible for 100 or more business inspections a year.
5pm: Any unfinished business interrupted by an emergency call is handled and completed during this hour as well as preparing dinner.”
However what Susan experienced from visiting the fire house in the late afternoon hours, was if Nick or Alex had a special dinner in mind and the schedule allowed it, they would begin cooking before 5pm.
Captain Miller continued, “6pm: Dinner time. 7pm: Clean the kitchen, dishes, study for any upcoming exams and general downtime.
11pm: Bed time.
7:30am: Anyone leaving their shift takes this time to share any important information about the fire engines, any equipment or any general information pertaining to the station house. When at 8am we have roll call etc., etc. but you’ll soon see that everything I just mentioned isn’t set in stone.
After hearing what a 24 hour shift consisted of both Susan and James were amazed at the level of detail and discipline that goes on in a fire station. It seemed no different as if one were serving in the military. They both discovered a new found respect for firefighters. While still filming the captain, Susan asked, “What would you say are the majority of your calls?”
“Medical assistance makes up about 70 percent of our calls.” The captain replied.
“Are you given any information before leaving the station to respond to an emergency?”
“The code will tell you if it’s a medical, fire, or rescue call, but you never really know what you’ll get on a call until you’re on the scene.”
fire alarm rings.
“Looks like you’re getting some action your first day after all. This one’s a rescue call. Follow me please.” The captain said.
>
Chapter 20
As we approached the accident scene the captain noticed it was a three car collision. Two cars were on the side but one was on the train tracks. Captain Miller grabbed his radio and contacted the emergency dispatch office. “Engine 43 to Dispatch. We have a three vehicle accident with possible entrapment. 1 vehicle is on the train tracks. Notify the train dispatcher to stop all trains on this line.”
