ROLL OVER AND PLAY DEAD

By E51Writer 8/15/2001

“Finally.”

He had driven past the station several times over the past few days. Each time, the engine, the squad, or both were in their bays. Now, the station was finally empty.

He parked the car and struggled to get out. “Damn.” Walking with the cane was getting easier physically – but it was every bit as emotionally difficult as it was the day he was released from the hospital.

He paused as he walked through the door. It was several seconds before he realized he was holding his breath. As he exhaled, he began walking – actually hobbling – towards the office. He paused again before entering the office but then made his way to the chair behind the desk.

He sat. And, he remembered. He thought of the constant bantering between Chet and Johnny. He thought of Roy and the smile on his face as he recounted the past day’s tales of his children’s activities. Then there was Mike. What an example of honor and quiet strength. And, Marco… then there was Marco.

“Man! What a crew!” He chuckled to himself as he remembered the antics of the ‘Phantom’. He grinned with pride as he recalled past fires and rescues.

The grin faded and a single tear fill as he remembered the accident. It was as if the accident occurred again and again every day. It was so clear.

***************

“Station 51. KMG 365.” Captain Stanley handed the slip of paper to Roy as he ran in front of the squad to take his seat on the engine. An accident. Just a couple miles from the station. He was glad they would get there quickly. He had a strange feeling and thought it meant that they were in for a difficult scene.

The squad pulled out first. It was quickly followed by the engine. As always, Mike Stoker was behind the wheel of the engine. The two vehicles sped toward the scene of the accident. Lights flashing. Sirens wailing.

The light was green. The squad went through the intersection. The light was still green as the fire engine entered the intersection. Mike saw it but it was too late. He tried to turn the wheel but the semi hauling steel rods had blown through the red light.

Captain Stanley turned just in time to see the grill on the truck closing in on the driver’s door. What happened next was a blur. He felt a tumbling sensation. He heard the sounds of glass shattering, metal crunching, men screaming, and bones breaking. After what seemed like an eternity, there was only silence.

**************

The sound caused the 2 paramedics to look in the mirrors.

“Oh my God!” Johnny yelled as Roy hit the brakes. As Roy turned the squad around, Johnny called it in.

“LA, Squad 51.”

“Squad 51.”

“LA, Engine 51 involved in accident at intersection of East and Aurora. Code I x 4. Respond additional squad, engine, and ambulances. Also, need replacement for original response at Batavia and St. Charles.”

“10-4, Squad 51.” The call went out for help and replacements.

***************

Captain Hank Stanley lay semi-conscious a few feet from the overturned fire engine. He tried to yell out to his crew – his friends – but no sound came from his mouth. **It’s too silent. Where are the noises?**

The squad screeched to a halt. After observing the scene in horrified silence, Roy yelled to Johnny. “Get the gear.”

**Oh, thank God. Roy and Johnny are here. Why can’t I hear anyone else? Are they dead? Lord, please don’t let them be dead.**

Roy scanned the front of the scene. He couldn’t see the firemen anywhere. All he saw was the underside of Big Red and the truck. The damn truck.

A look at the cab of the truck told him the driver couldn’t have survived, but he checked anyway. The man was dead. “At least there were no other passengers in the truck”, Roy mumbled. He carefully made his way through the piles of metal rods that were strewn all over the street. He headed around to where Johnny was.

“Where’s the help?” yelled Johnny. The fear and the pain in his voice caused Roy to draw in a deep breath before rounding the engine.

“Oh shit! No!” Roy’s voice was filled with the same fear and pain as his best friend’s.

**Oh, don’t use that tone. I know that tone. Talk to each other, guys. I have to know what’s going on.**

“Where the hell is the help?” Johnny screamed again. A cop arrived on the scene. Johnny was glad it was one he knew. “Vince, keep these people away – get them out of here.”

Roy had taken a place at the side of Hank Stanley. He shuddered as he assessed the man’s injuries. “Cap? Are you awake? I see your eyes fluttering. C’mon, Cap. Wake up.”

**Don’t worry about me. How are the others? Talk to Johnny, damn it. I need to hear.**

“John, Cap’s in bad shape. Both legs broken. Compound fracture of the right leg. Semi-conscious. Bleeding. Damn it.”

**Huh? I don’t feel anything. Forget about me. What about the others?**

“Damn it, Roy. I can’t stop the bleeding from Chet’s arm. Got an artery. I’m gonna have to use a tourniquet. Shit, I hate to do this.”

**Don’t let him lose his arm. Please.**

“Is he conscious?”

“No. Pupils uneven, too. I can’t get him stabilized enough to look at Marco. Where the hell is the other squad?”

**If it’s his arm or his life, take his arm. Please.**

“I’ve got the pressure bandage on Cap. I’ll look at Marco.”

**Hurry. I’m losing it here. I need to know about the others.**

“Shit, John. I need your help. Can you leave Chet? Where’s the help? Son-of-a-bitch.”

**Oh, no. It’s bad. If Roy needs John, it’s bad. What’s going on? Talk!**

“How the hell are we going to get the engine off Marco, Roy?”

**Shit!**

“We can’t, Junior. Not till the goddamn help gets here. He has a strong pulse. He’ll go into immediate shock when the pressure of the truck comes off. We’ll need a G-suit. And, we’ll have to be fast. Damn. Where is the help?”

**Mike! Where’s Mike?**

“Where the hell is Mike? You see him, Johnny?”

“No. Hey, Vince – you see Mike?”

“No I don’t – but I’ll sure as hell find him,” the officer replied as he began his search.

“Roy, you get a line to Rampart. I’ll help look for Mike.”

***************

“Rampart, Squad 51. How do you read?”

“Go ahead, 51.” Dixie’s voice had a slight calming effect on Roy.

“Rampart, we have an accident with 5 victims.”

**Seven victims, Roy. You and Johnny are hurting too!”**

“Victim number 1 – dead on scene.”

Roy heard Dr. Brackett’s voice as he joined Dixie in the bay station.

“Five victims, Kel. First victim dead at scene. Roy’s just calling it in.”

**Seven victims, damn it, seven victims.**

“Go ahead, 51”, Brackett commanded.

“Victim number 2 – still missing.”

**Where are you, Mike?**

“Victim number 3 – male, 31 years old. Left femur fractured. Right leg compound fracture of the tibia and fibula. Semi-conscious. Bleeding from several cuts. Contusion and edema surrounding left eye. Haven’t gotten vitals yet.”

“51, can you get vitals while Johnny reports other victims?”

“Negative, Rampart. Johnny is looking for the second victim.”

“Can Captain Stanley give update on other victims? I need vitals on victim number 3 now.”

“Negative, Rampart. Victim number 3 is Captain Stanley.”

Dixie and Brackett exchanged a look of disbelief. This was going to be bad. It was always bad when there were multiple injury accidents. But, when you know a victim, it’s a hundred times worse.

“Go ahead, 51. Victim number 4.”

“Rampart, victim number 4 is male, 25 years old. Excessive bleeding from right arm. Tourniquet applied. Pupils uneven. Unconscious. Obvious injuries to right side of head. No vitals yet.” After a slight pause, Roy added, “Victim number 4 is Chet.”

Dixie and Brackett were now on the verge of panic and sickness.

“51, do you have assistance at the scene?”

“No, Rampart. Assistance hasn’t arrived yet. This is so bad.” The last sentence was whispered but Dixie and Brackett heard it anyway.

“Dixie, get Joe and Mike.”

**Mike. Where’s Mike?**

“Go ahead, 51. Victim number 5.”

“Victim number 5, Rampart. Trapped beneath overturned fire engine. Male, 26 years old. Unconscious.”

**Shit!**

“51, how is he pinned?” Brackett asked.

“From the waist down, Rampart. G-suit will need to be applied upon extrication.”

**My, God. We’re all going to die. Where’s Mike?**

“Agreed, 51. Who?”

“Marco.”

“Where’s Mike?” Brackett asked.

**Yeah – where’s Mike?**

“Johnny and Vince are looking for him. We can’t find him.”

***************

“Roy, we got him. Can you come?”

The tone of Johnny’s voice told him he had no choice but to go…and go quickly.

**Go. I need to know. I’m losing it here.**

“Rampart, they have found Mike. I have to go help. I’ll be back with an update momentarily.”

Roy ran towards Johnny’s voice. John and Vince stood amongst the piles of rods that Roy had climbed over earlier.

“Damn, Roy. This is bad. We need to get the rods off Mike. He has a pulse but it’s very slow and irregular. I got blood all over me from reaching through the rods for him but I don’t know where he’s bleeding from. Where the hell is the help?”

Vince, Roy, and Johnny worked together to uncover Mike. What they saw made them sick to their stomachs. Johnny stayed with Mike while Roy went back to the bio-phone.

**Oh good, Roy, What’s going on?**

“Rampart, Squad 51.”

“Go ahead, 51.”

“Rampart, victim number 2 – Mike – was found. Pulse weak and irregular. He is suffering from blunt trauma to the left side.”

**The semi hit him square on.**

“Looks like the semi hit him square on in the driver’s door. Face, arm, torso, and leg are all injured on left side. The steel rods hit him too. Right leg has penetrating injury. Tourniquet applied.”

**Oh, no. We’re all going to die.**

“Is the steel rod still in his leg, Roy?” Brackett asked.

“Yes, Rampart. Completely through his leg in fact. We will have to cut the rod on both sides and stabilize before transport.”

Brackett gave a nervous look to Joe and Mike. The three doctors and Dixie all stood in sullen silence.

“Has help arrived, Roy?”

“No, Doc. Where are they?”

“Okay, Roy, start getting vitals. Chet and Mike first. Captain Stanley and Marco next. Marco will remain fairly stable until the engine is lifted off him.”

“10-4, Rampart.”

Finally, approaching sirens could be heard. Roy and Johnny looked at each other. A moment of relief showed on both their faces. “Thank you” Johnny whispered as he looked toward the sky.

**Thank, God. Here they come. Hang on, men. Hang on, Johnny and Roy. Whatever happens here, know and believe that you did everything you could. I’m proud of both of you. I’m losing it. I’m going.**

Roy was with Chet getting vitals while Johnny worked to get the needed info on Mike. No one was with Captain Stanley as his eyes fluttered one last time, as he lapsed into full unconsciousness, or as he drew in his last breath before his breathing stopped.

***************

***************

“Hey, Roy, can we pull over here in the park?”

“Why?”

“I just feel like talking today. We can respond from here. The engine is still out. We’re not that far from the station. I just don’t want to go back right now.”

Roy pulled over. After several minutes of silence, Roy spoke. “Penny for your thoughts, Junior.”

“Man, Roy. I had a dream last night – that dream. Woke up thinking about it today. All day long, I’ve replayed the accident time and time again. I can’t get it out of my mind.”

“I know, Johnny. I think about it all the time, too.” Several seconds passed before Roy continued. “When I heard Bellingham, I thought I’d die.”

Both men slipped back into silence as their thoughts returned to that day. The same scene replayed in both of their minds.

“Johnny, Roy. What the hell happened? What do you need?” Captain Wilson ran up to the scene with the engine crew on his heels. Bellingham and Brice weren’t far behind.

“Thank God you’re here! We need the vitals on Captain Stanley. Marco is trapped under the engine. We’ll need to move fast when we get it off him. If you can figure out how to free Marco, Bellingham can get Cap’s vitals.”

The 16 engine crew along with Brice headed for Marco. Bellingham went to Hank Stanley.

“Was he dead when you got here?”

“WHAT?” Gage and DeSoto yelled in unison. The engine crew turned and paused before refocusing on Marco.

“He’s not breathing. I don’t get a pulse.”

“Shit!” Johnny was fighting back the dry heaves. “No. He was with us a few minutes ago.” Checking Mike and ensuring that he was stable, Johnny headed to Cap. His eyes met Roy’s as he passed. He hated the look he saw staring at him. He knew, however, it was a reflection of himself.

Bellingham was already getting the paddles ready.

“1..2..3..400 watt seconds.” No conversion.

“1..2..3..400 – go!”

“YES!” Johnny’s relief eased the stressed look on Roy’s face. This time, it was Roy’s turn to look skyward and offer his thanks.

***************

“Rampart, Squad 16 for 51.”

“Go head, 16.”

Bellingham took the bio-phone. “Victim number…umm…”

“Go with the name, 16.”

“Captain Stanley. Just converted. Length of time without breathing or pulse unknown. BP 90/60. Respiration shallow and uneven. Pulse weak and irregular.”

Brackett looked shocked. What did Bellingham mean ‘length of time without breathing or pulse unknown’? He glanced at the others standing around him.

“10-4, 16. Ringers wide open in both arms. Administer 2 liters O2. Are fractures stabilized? And, did you say ‘time without breathing or pulse’?”

“Yes, Rampart. Victim – Captain Stanley – was dead upon my arrival. He did convert after second attempt. And, negative, fractures are not yet stabilized.”

“Stabilize fractures and transport immediately. Patch him so we can monitor him during transport.” Brackett slammed his fist on the tabletop. Dixie wiped away a tear.

“10-4, Rampart. Patching, stabilizing, and transporting.”

***************

While Bellingham was preparing Captain Stanley for transport to Rampart, Roy took the bio-phone. "Rampart, Squad 51.”

“Go ahead, Roy.”

“Vitals on Chet. BP 84/61. Pulse 90 and weak. Breathing regular but shallow. Pupils still uneven and unresponsive. Diaphoretic.”

“10-4, Roy. Is bleeding controlled?”

“Yes, Rampart. Tourniquet is still in place.”

“We’re reaching the limit for limb survival. Start IV with Ringers in left arm. Transport NOW!”

“10-4, Rampart.”

As Roy readied Chet, Johnny took the bio-phone. “Rampart, Squad 51.”

Brackett braced himself. They were all frazzled and none of the victims had even reached the hospital yet. “Go ahead, Johnny.”

“Rampart, vitals on Mike. BP 103/71. Breathing labored. Probable punctured lung on left side. Pulse 100 and surprisingly strong. We are just finishing cutting the rod penetrating the leg. Tourniquet still in place. Ready to transport as soon as excess rod is cleared.”

“10-4, Johnny. Start IV with Ringers in right arm – wide open. Intubate. Then insert line in neck. Ringers. Transport.”

“10-4, Rampart.”

***************

Captain Stanley was almost ready to be loaded into the ambulance. Bellingham would ride with him. Chet would be loaded into the same ambulance with Rampart’s okay.

“10-4, Roy. Agreed. We need to keep as many paramedics at the scene as possible. Transport Captain Stanley and Chet together with Bellingham. Send Johnny with Mike. We can use him here.”

Against his wishes, Johnny rode in with Mike. He tried to talk Captain Wilson into having Brice transport Mike so he could stay to help free Marco. Captain Wilson saw a look in Johnny’s eyes that told him he needed to clear Gage from the scene. Gage was ready to break even it he wouldn’t admit it to himself.

“Go, Junior. Mike needs you and I know Brackett will welcome your help.”

“I don’t like it, Roy.”

“I know. But, go. You have to.” Roy understood Johnny’s reluctance to leave. If it had been Roy that had been told to leave the scene, he would have put up a bigger fight than Johnny had. But someone had to go. Mike needed someone and, while he knew the man was competent, he didn’t want Mike to be riding alone with Brice. He was glad that someone with heart was with his injured comrade. He was glad it was Johnny.

Gage climbed into the ambulance and said one final prayer as he looked around before leaving this living hell. The doors closed and the ambulance sped off.

Roy turned back towards Marco. “My God, Marco. How are we going to get you out of this alive?” Captain Wilson heard Roy’s soft, sad voice. He put his hand on Roy’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze before directing the final stages of the rescue.

***************

With the departure of the two ambulances, all attention was focussed on Marco.

“Cap, I think we’re ready to lift the engine. The jacks will only raise it just enough to slide him out. Don’t know how long they’ll hold either. Gotta move fast.” The crew of company 16 was working as quickly and safely as possible. The twisted engine was at an impossible angle. The jacks couldn’t be set and stabilized as well as anyone had hoped.

Roy spoke up. “This has to be very coordinated. Let’s get the backboard in place. Lay the G-suit next to it. He’ll go into deep shock as soon as the pressure is off the lower body. We need to get the pressure back on him as soon as possible. Cap, you and one of your men need to pull Marco onto the backboard. Brice, you check the right leg and side for bleeding. I’ll check the left. The G-suit HAS to be put on quickly. Let me make one final check with Rampart and we’ll do it.”

“Rampart, Squad 51.”

“Go ahead, Roy.” The stress and concern were evident in Doctor Brackett’s voice. The tension was only increasing with 3 of the injured firemen on their way in.

“We’re ready to free Mike. Backboard in place. G-suit ready. Any other instructions, Doc?”

“You’ll have to bandage any open wounds before applying the suit. Have 2 IV’s ready to go. Start them wide open as soon as the suit is in place. Good luck, Roy.”

“Thanks, Doc.” Roy headed for Marco. He whispered a prayer, “Please, God, help us free Marco.”

***************

They were ready. The IV’s were inserted into both of Marco’s arms but they were left closed until the G-suit was on.

“Let’s go, men,” Captain Wilson gave the order.

Everyone held their breath as the jacks cranked into action. Marco was quickly slid onto the board and assessed.

“No bleeding,” Roy said as he grabbed the G-suit.

“None here either,” Brice added very matter-of-factly. Nothing phased him.

Within seconds, the pressurized pants were on and inflated. The IV’s were opened. Brice got the vitals one more time as Roy contacted Rampart.

“Rampart, Squad 51.”

All eyes turned toward the phone. “Go ahead, Roy.”

“Victim – Marco – has been extricated. IV’s started. G-suit on. Vitals to follow.”

Roy heard rustling in the background and said another silent prayer at Brackett’s muffled words.

“As planned, everyone. Joe, go with Chet to room 1. Mike, take Hank to room 3. Dixie, when they bring in Mike, I’ll meet you in room 6.” Brackett turned back to the phone, “Go ahead, Roy.”

“BP 116/87. Respiration shallow and labored. Pulse 96. Multiple fractures of both legs and pelvis. No external bleeding. Contusions evident on upper body.”

“10-4, Roy. Continue to monitor and get him here SOON!”

“10-4, Rampart.”

Marco was quickly loaded into the ambulance with both Roy and Brice accompanying him.

***************

The sound of the radio startled both Roy and Johnny. They had been lost in their own memories of ‘the day’ for quite a few minutes.

Both shook off their thoughts and headed out for the next response.

“Doesn’t sound like the engine had a chance to get back to the station yet, either, “ Johnny commented.

***************

The sound of the klaxons startled Hank Stanley. He had been sitting lost in him memories – his nightmare – for over an hour. Relieved that no one would be returning to the station anytime soon, he returned his head to his hands and continued to sit in silence.

***************

***************

Dr. Brackett walked into the lounge and smiled when he saw Dixie. Dixie hadn’t noticed him come in, get coffee, or sit down at the table. After a few minutes, Brackett startled Dixie by speaking.

“Chet’s going home today.”

Dixie looked up and smiled.

“Thinking about it again, huh?”

“Yeah, Kel. I think about it all the time. I’ve never been so scared in all my life.”

“I know. Nothing in my ER experience ever prepared me for that day. We’ve had our share of rough times. You were hurt in that accident response back when nurses had to respond with the squad. And, you’ve had your share of other injuries…of your own doing.” Kel smiled and Dixie whacked him on the arm. “Joe had the heart surgery. I’ve even had an accident or two. We’ve all had friends and relatives – even my dad – pass through these doors. Hell, even the guys have all been here at one time or another. But, when we got that call and it was all the guys on the engine, I was sick to my stomach with worry and fear.”

Dixie nodded. Both Dr. Brackett and Dixie became lost in their memories of what both agreed was one of the roughest days in either of their careers.

***************

Dr. Kelly Brackett knew there was trouble when he saw the look on Dixie’s face. Four trauma victims needing treatment would stretch the ER to the max.

“We’ve handled worse before,” Brackett commented. It wasn’t long before he re-thought his words and realized that they may have handled more in the past. But, nothing was worse than what this turned out to be.

“Negative, Rampart. Victim number 3 is Captain Stanley.” Roy’s words still haunted Dixie and Dr. Brackett. And, it only got worse.

“…Chet…”

“…Marco…”

“…Mike…”

It got much worse. Still, they were all alive and being transported. Brackett called for help. After summoning Dr. Joe Early and Dr. Mike Morton, he put out the call for the orthopedic surgeons, brain and spinal cord specialists, thoracic surgeons, x-ray, lab, and additional nurses. It was a large group of people – professionals – waiting with anxious anticipation when the first ambulance arrived.

“Joe, go with Chet to room 1.” …

Dr. Early was sick. Chet’s arm was colorless and cold below the tourniquet. The window of time from injury to now had used up the standard amount of time when limbs could be saved after tourniquets were applied. Besides the injured arm, Chet had a severe head injury and was still unconscious.

It took only minutes to decide that the right decision was to try to save Chet’s arm while at the same time relieving the pressure of the swelling on his brain. That decision made, he was wheeled from the ER to the OR. A team of three surgeons were assembled. The first was the cranial specialist. The pressure in Chet’s head would have to be relieved. It was unknown how severely his brain had already been damaged. The longer the delay, the more likelihood that full recovery could be made diminished. The other 2 surgeons were skilled in microscopic vascular and nerve surgery. All of their talent would be needed in order to repair the artery and severed nerves in the arm. Time was against them too.

***************

While the decision was being made to move Chet to the OR, the decision regarding Captain Stanley’s surgery was still being wrestled with. Dr. Mike Morton and an orthopedic surgeon were conferring with a heart specialist.

“I’m not comfortable with the stability of his heart yet.”

**Hey, I’m back. Where am I? Oh, Rampart. What’s that about the stability of my heart? I didn’t know it was injured. I sure know it’s broken though.**

“The pressure bandages have stopped the bleeding. If you guys agree that we can delay the repair of the legs for an hour or so, I’d feel much better.”

**Yeah. An hour or so. Give me a chance to catch up.**

“We can wait,” Dr. Campbell, the orthopedic surgeon, replied.

Just then, the door opened.

Dr. Morton was relieved to see Dr. Brackett. “Kel, we have him stabilized but Dr. Norman would like to delay surgery until we know he is solidly stabilized – about an hour or so. Dr. Campbell agrees the delay won’t have a negative impact on limb recovery.”

“Fine.” Turning toward Bill Campbell, Brackett added, “I could use you for a minute in room 6. We’re deciding what to do with the fireman with the rod through his leg.”

**Oh, good. Mike’s still alive. What about the others?**

“How’s Chet?” Morton asked.

“Not good. We don’t expect him to make it through surgery. They’re in there now.”

**Not make it?**

Which are they doing first? Brain or arm?” asked Norman.

**Brain or arm?**

“Both at the same time.” Seeing the disbelief in the other doctors’ eyes, Brackett added, “No choice. It was either try to revive the arm now or immediately amputate. And, the pressure in the brain was at the level where permanent damage occurs. Neither could wait. I’m just not sure we were in time for either.”

**Oh, God, no!**

As Campbell was walking toward Brackett, the door to the room opened again.

“Doc, Roy’s here with Marco.”

“Thanks, John.”

Brackett and Campbell walked past John. Brackett paused and looked back at John still standing in the doorway staring at his captain. **As hard as this is on me, I can’t imagine being Roy or Johnny right now** he thought before going back to Mike in room 6.

**Come in, John. Talk to me.**

Gage looked up at Morton. Morton nodded the paramedic into the room. As Gage neared Captain Stanley, Morton slid to the side in order to give John a few private moments with his boss and friend.

Johnny touched Cap’s shoulder. “Hang in there, Cap. Everyone’s fighting to make it. You have to hang in there too. You guys are all gonna be okay. You have to. You just have to.”

**What about you, Johnny? What about Roy? Who’s looking out for you?**

Johnny squeezed the captain’s shoulder one more time before looking toward Morton. He hoped his eyes conveyed his gratitude towards the doctor. He couldn’t risk speaking again at this very minute. He was that close to losing it. The look on Dr. Morton’s face showed that he understood. A slight nod confirmed it. Gage left the room.

***************

Dr. Brackett spent only a couple minutes in Mike’s room. He gave his blessing to the decision the doctors had come to. It had taken the team about 10 minutes to decide exactly what they thought should be done.

Dr. Joe Early was checking Mike’s head and neck. “He was lucky the engine’s window was open. Saved him impact with it. Looks like the face is cut up, there’s a small tear to the eardrum. All in all, I’d say he’s pretty lucky up here. Looks bad, but it will all heal.

“His shoulder is badly bruised. Dislocated collarbone. That’s what made the intubation a bit more difficult. Johnny did a great job. There’s a few broken ribs. No doubt a puncture to the lung. The tube we inserted in his side has eased his distress. Lucky he wasn’t awake to feel that one! We need to go in to check his spleen. I’m fairly certain it’s damaged and needs to be removed. Bruised as all hell, but it looks like everything here will heal too,” added Dr. Stone.

Dr. Everson, who was talking with Dr. Campbell, gave a laugh of mock indignation. “Sure. You guys get off easy. I have a leg here with a damn steel rod through it. Gotta say, the man is blessed though. The rod created a clean break. It’s a matter of removing the rod, setting the bones, maybe a bit of vascular surgery, and then stitching him up. Johnny did a great job of applying the tourniquet below the knee joint. No doubt saved his leg. We could have had to amputate at the knee if we’d lost blood flow at the joint for this long.”

Brackett walked in as Everson was talking. “All in a boring day’s work, huh?" Brackett mustered a slight chuckle.

“Hey, Kel. We’re going to open him up, check the spleen – probably remove it – repair the lung, look around for other damage, and close him up. Then, we’ll turn things over to Dr. Everson’s fine hands,” offered Dr. Stone.

“You heard what I’m planning, Kel,” Dr. Everson added.

“Sounds good. Go ahead. Joe, can you come with me to 8? Need you to look at Marco with me.”

“Be there in a minute, Kel.”

***************

Joe Early paused to let the gurney with Hank Stanley pass.

“We’re going earlier than planned,” Morton told Early. “Heart has stabilized really well.”

“Good luck.”

“How’s everyone else?”

**Yeah, how is everyone else?**

“I hear Chet is holding his own. Still in surgery though. They’re taking Mike up now. He’ll fully recover without a doubt. He sure saved his life by turning the wheel at the last minute.”

**Saved all our lives it sounds like.**

“I’m going in to work on Marco with Kel right now. Don’t really know where we stand yet.”

“What about Roy and Johnny?”

** Yeah. How are they holding up?**

“They’re in bad shape. They’ve been an incredible help. Don’t know how they’re doing it. They are so torn apart but they have managed to anticipate our needs, have shown up with what we were going to ask for before we asked. We tried to kick them out – make them go rest in the lounge - but they wouldn’t have any part of it. If it wouldn’t have been worse on them, we would have made them go rest. They’re both wearing down though.”

“Guess there were two more victims at the scene that we forgot to consider.”

**I told you there were seven victims of this accident but no one would listen!**

Early turned and opened the door to exam room 8 as Morton headed toward the elevator.

***************

Joe took in the sight of the room. Gage and DeSoto were slumped against the wall. Both men were staring at the floor. Dixie was at Marco’s side monitoring his vitals. The doctors stood in a contemplative silence trying to figure out the best way to attempt to save this fireman’s life.

“What do we have, Kel?”

“This is a tough one, Joe,” Dr. Brackett replied. “Everytime we try to deflate any of the pressure, Marco’s vitals drop dangerously low. The pressure from the fire engine has obviously caused a lot of internal blood loss below his waist.”

Joe Early walked over to Marco and began examining him. He could see the deep bruising extending above the top of the pressurized pants.

“Any thoughts, Joe?”

“Well, my guess is that the spleen and liver are injured if not ruptured. There’s probably some damage to the colon and intestines just from the pressure – probably just minor bleeding but still not good in this situation.”

Dr. Jensen spoke up. “That’s what we figure, Joe. I’m prepared to do surgery on those organs and any other damaged organs as well. I just don’t want to do the surgery with the G-pants on. I can’t have the pressure force the blood or the swelling to the open surgery area.”

“We think the best thing to do is put him on full life support prior to the surgery. Let the machines support his life from the start so that we don’t risk losing him from the basic heart and lung functions becoming fully impaired by the stress of the surgery added to the injuries. The internal surgery should be done first. Then, I will start mending the bones and Dr. Lewis will work on the nerve and blood vessel repair,” added Dr. Enge.

“Sounds good. If we can’t keep the full pressure pants on, can we somehow tourniquet the legs? Maybe even the waist? We could figure out a tourniquet rotation schedule that would allow the lower body the pressure it would need without cutting off full blood flow for too long of a period of time.”

“Yeah, Joe! That’s it! Tourniquets. Then maybe we can sandbag the arteries to help increase the pressure in the lower body, too. Dixie, call the coronary surgery area and see how many sandbags they can spare.” Dr. Brackett was feeling hopeful for the first time since Marco arrived.

Dixie made her way to the phone while the doctors finalized their plans.

“Kel, they can spare a dozen.”

“Great! Have them sent to OR 9 immediately.”

Marco was taken from the room with the surgeons close behind. Roy and Johnny left the room without speaking a word.

Joe grabbed Brackett’s jacket and held him back in the room. Dixie noticed and stopped to listen to what Joe had to say.

“We’ve overlooked the fact that two more victims just left this room. Roy and Johnny are victims too!”

***************

“Roy and Johnny. Victims too.”

Dixie wasn’t sure if it was the sound of Kel’s voice or the lounge door opening that brought her out of her deep thoughts.

“You call, Doc?” Johnny asked as he and Roy walked into the lounge.

“What victims?” asked Roy.

One look told Gage and DeSoto that Brackett and Dixie were thinking – remembering the day, too.

“We just replayed the whole horrible day for the millionth time ourselves,” Roy said as both paramedics grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down.

“Hi, guys. Chet’s going home today.” Dixie’s smile lit up the room.

“We just checked on him. He looks and sounds good.” Roy was obviously relieved.

“Heaven knows it’s taken weeks but all of the guys are doing much better than expected. Hell, we didn’t expect some of them to live. Chet is working so hard at getting that arm 100% so he can return to work. It’s nothing short of a miracle that he didn’t have permanent brain damage. He’s worked so hard to regain the mental skills he temporarily lost. Brackett fell silent before speaking again. “Marco should be ready to leave the hospital tomorrow or the next day.”

“Oh, we saw him too. Trust me, Doc. He’s more than ready to leave TODAY!” Johnny laughed.

“Well, another day or two and he will go home. Mike is doing well. I saw him here for therapy yesterday. In fact, I think he was released from therapy yesterday.”

“Yeah, and talk about miracles. What about Cap?! Man, when Bellingham asked how long he had been dead, I thought I would die myself.” Gage just shook his head.

Brackett added, “You know, Hank told me he heard everything you guys said at the scene and everything we said here. He laughed and said he was just playing dead.”

Johnny and Roy just looked at each other.

“I guess all of the men will have to be re-certified, huh?” asked Dixie.

“Yeah. They want to do it together.”

“In that case, I’d say it will be another 6 or 7 weeks before they’re back on duty.” Brackett was still amazed at the thought that that day was even possible. And, it was still going to take a lot of work for everyone to get there.

***************

The klaxons startled Hank Stanley yet again. He knew his time was running out. At least one more response gave him a few more minutes before he’d have to leave.

****************

The handie-talkie beeped and Roy and Johnny started to get up before realizing that only the engine was being called.

“Man, those guys can’t get a break today.” Johnny was grateful that at least he and Roy would have a short break.

“Well, Junior, as long as we’re up, we might as well head out.” Roy was walking towards the door.

“Guess we’d better get back to work, too, Dix.” Brackett was reluctantly followed by Dixie. She didn’t think she had the energy to make it through the rest of the day.

“When will the nightmares end, Kel?”

“With the release of Marco…I hope.”

***************

They were almost back to the station when Johnny spoke. “Roy, do you really think that Cap did hear everything?”

“They say it’s possible. I’ve heard of it a few times before.” A smile formed on Roy’s lips. “Looks like we can ask him about it, Junior.”

Johnny looked over to see Captain Stanley’s car parked on the street. He formed a smile of his own.

The men leapt from the squad.

Hank Stanley hadn’t heard the bay doors open. He was startled by the sound of voices.

“Hey, Cap!”

“Glad to see you, Cap!”

Both paramedics rushed to greet their captain…or rather, their former captain.

Captain Stanley was at first embarrassed at being caught sitting behind his old desk. The embarrassment soon passed and was replaced with pure joy at seeing ‘his men’.

“God, it’s good to see you. You two look great!” He smiled but a sadness showed in his eyes as he remembered what he was missing.

A quick glance between them let Johnny and Roy know that they had seen the brief moment of sadness. “Hey Cap, how ‘bout we go get a cup of coffee and visit for a few minutes?” Without waiting for a response, Roy was leading Hank Stanley toward the kitchen.

“Sure feels good to see you back here where you belong, Cap. Chet’s getting out today. Marco in a couple. Won’t be long before everything is back to normal.” That thought obviously pleased Johnny.

“I don’t know,” Cap muttered.

“Captain Link says McConnikee told him we’re a team again when everyone returns.”

“Yeah?” That thought please and encouraged Hank. The happiness took a momentary downturn though. “If we all return.”

Johnny let the last statement pass without comment. “Hey, Cap, Doc Brackett says you heard everything. That true?”

“Yeah…yeah. It was strange.” Cap seemed to slip away for a moment before continuing. “I was so relieved to hear your voices. Then, Roy, when you said I was injured, I was so surprised. Didn’t feel a thing. Except for the worry that is. I kept pleading for you to talk to each other so I would know how everyone else was.”

“You sure you ‘heard’?” Johnny asked.

“Well, I heard the panic in your voice John when you said ‘I can’t stop the bleeding from Chet’s arm. Got an artery’ and the sickness in your tone when you were having to apply the tourniquet. And, the fear in your voice, Roy, when you realized Mike was missing. I remember needing you guys to find everyone so I would know how they were. I couldn’t go until I knew.”

‘Playing dead’ Johnny and Roy thought at the same time.

A silence followed. “Next thing I heard was a conversation between Dr. Brackett and Dr. Morton. Everyone was still alive. I couldn’t believe it.”

“Man, that’s spooky!” Johnny shook his head.

“Yeah, well you’re just lucky you didn’t say something nasty about me!”

All 3 men chuckled. It felt good.

Captain Stanley got up to leave. “Guess I’d better get out of here.” He walked a few steps before turning to find his men staring at him. “McConnikee says we can be a team again, huh?” Both paramedics shook their heads yes. Cap took a couple more steps before turning around again. “Don’t think I ever said thanks. You two make me so proud.” Hank looked down then back up at his 2 fine paramedics. “Thanks!” He smiled and began to turn again.

“You’re welcome, Cap.” Johnny sounded like he was choking up.

“Yeah, but let’s not do it again. Okay, Cap?”

Hank Stanley nodded and waved. His limp wasn’t quite as bad as when he entered the station a couple hours earlier. In fact, wasn’t he actually carrying the cane now instead of using it?

***************

It wasn’t 6 weeks but, instead, 9 more weeks before the men all stood together for inspection. Except for a few visible scars, no one would have ever known what these men had been through.

Friends had shown up to welcome the group ‘home’ to the A-shift at Station 51. Guys from other shifts and other stations were there. The men from 16 were there – including Brice and Bellingham. Vince was there. So were Dixie, Joe, Mike, and Kel. Everyone felt a sense of joy and relief that had been missing for months.

Chief McConnikee conducted the inspection and was thrilled to be able to welcome his best crew back to active duty – together. “This is one of my happiest days with the department and one of the greatest honors as well. To see all of you back together again – whole – brings this nightmare to an end for me. I hope it does the same for all of you.”

People were shaking hands, sharing hugs, and laughing. Suddenly, the sound of an engine’s horn ripped through the station.

Everyone turned to see the bay doors open and a new, Big Red engine with a huge white bow on top pull up. It was marked with a bright white ‘51’. Mike was so excited he ran to the engine like a kid in a toy store.

Hank turned to McConnikee with a puzzled look.

“Well, you didn’t think we were going to let you keep 97’s second engine forever, did you?”

With that, the nightmare did end. And, the party began.

***************

THE END