narrative

DING. DING. DING. The tones rang out through the fire house. I ran down stairs. I kicked off my shoes and jumped into my fire boots and bunker pants. I grabbed my jacket and threw it on. I Picked up my 50 pound air tank and snapped it on, and put my SCBA on.  In the fire truck on the way to the fire my adrenaline pumped through my body. Sirens roaring, lights flashing and horns blaring. The truck pulled up on scene. I jumped out of truck and got ready to go into the burring house. The house was engulfed in flames. I grabbed the guys shoulder in front of me. We walked into the building; we got down on our hands and knees. I grabbed onto the ankle of the guy in front of me, so I would not get lost. The smoke was thick, and the flames felt hotter than the sun. I got to the first room and called out

 “Is there anybody in here, call out” I waited, “is there anyone in here, call out”

I didn’t hear any voices, so I marked the door with a white X to show the room was checked. I crawled down the hallway holding onto the leg in front of me.  Holding my breath as long as possible to save air. The smoke thickened and flames roared. I went into what looked like a little kids room.

 “Is there anybody in here, call out” I listened. “Is there anybody in here call out”

Again I didn’t hear any one. So I put a white X on the door and once again grabbed the leg in front of me. There was one last room that needed to be check.  I crawled into the room.

  “Is anybody in here, call out, is anybody in here call out” I waited,

As I was leaving I heard a cry. It sounded like a little kid. 

“Call out” I yelled. “Call out.”  “Make a noise, let me know where you are.” 

“Over hear, under the bed.” The person yelled.

I could for sure tell it was a little kid. I crawled into the room on my belly. I got to the bed and found the little boy, terrified. I pulled him out from under the bed. I picked him up and took him out of the room.

“ Chief I got one.”  I radioed down. “Have the squad ready.”

Staying low I got the boy out. I came out of the front door, the little boy in my arms. I took him to the awaiting squad. I gently laid him on the cot.  Jim loaded the cot into the ambulance. I jumped into the squad.  

“What’s your name”?  I asked as I held his hand.

“Marko” he said quietly.

“Let’s get him on some oxygen, and get some vitals. I said as I put him on a non rebreather.

“Dose anything hurt”?  I asked stroking his head.

“No”.  He whispered.

“Ok Marko we’re going to take you to the hospital.”

 “Will you go with me”? He said in a scared voice.

“Yes I will.” I said putting my hand on his head.

On the way to the hospital I asked Marko different questions, to asses and make sure he was ok. 

“Ok Marko we’re here at the hospital. The doctors and nurses will take care of you now.” 

As I rolled in the cot I meet up with the head nurse.

“This is Marko, he is seven, he was in a house fire, and he was by himself, neighbors called 911. We have him on some oxygen, but other than that vitals are normal.  The other EMTs and I moved Marko onto the bed.

“Marko I have to leave but, these nice nurses will take care of you now.” I said.

“Ok” he said in a scared but thankful voice.

About a week later I was on duty at the fire department.

The chief came up to me and said “someone is here to see you.”

“Oh” I said surprised.

I walked down stairs, and Marko standing there with his mom.

“Thank you so much, I don’t know I would do if I lost Marko.” His mom said giving me a big hug.

Then Marko gave me a big hug and a homemade thank you card.