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The alarm rang louder than ever, seemed to have a different ring to it than normal, and I got a strange feeling in my stomach. I had the feeling that this wasn't another B.S. run I expected, this was going to be something serious, something I will remember for the rest of my life. The alarm stopped and we all waited for the dispatcher to tell us the nature of our call. There was a pause between the alarm and the sound of her voice, and then she spoke with uneasy words, very hurried, very frightened. We all listened to hear if she was going to request our engine or ladder and what the call was. Finally after what seemed to be hours, she told us: "Station 10,12,13, and 15, medic 12,13, and 14, respond to 5163 Maple Street for an apartment fire, per officer on the scene, flames are visible from the second and third floors, smoke is heavy on the fourth floor, and flames are venting from the roof." There was a short pause, and then she came back again, "Station 10,12,13, and 15, along with medic units 12,13, and 14, respond to 5163 Maple Street for an apartment building on fire. Your time of dispatch is 1925 hours." We threw on our gear quicker then ever and jumped into our engine and were on the way. I picked up the mic and said to the dispatcher, "Engine 13 in route," then waited for her response. "Engine 13 in route at 1926 hours. Break." Shocked when she said, "break," it took me a minute, then I pressed the trigger and said, "Go ahead." "Engine 13 be advised there are two children trapped on the fourth floor and cannot be seen. Also be advised that Engine 15 was involved in an accident and Engine 16 will be taking the call for them." "Engine 13 clear," I responded. Then I thought about that engine crew. Did anybody stop to help them? "Engine 13 to dispatch!" "Go ahead Engine 13." "Can you advise if anyone remained on the seen with Engine 15?" "Affirmative, Ladder 15 remained with them. Shall I dispatch another ladder to cover for them?" "Affirmative, send Ladder 16 our direction. Also Dispatch medic 17 and 18 to their seen." "Clear Engine 13." And that was it, we were on our way to a severe fire with two children trapped inside, probably unable to breath because of all the smoke on the floor, and scared to death. It seemed like our worst nightmares were coming true that night. We feared for the worst. I kept asking myself if they were still alive, and if they were, what was I going to do. I am going to be the first person on the scene and inside. What if I can't get to the kids in time? What will I tell their parents? These are all questions that I am sure other fire fighters go through each time they are called to a scene like this one. "Engine 13 on the scene, four story, wood structure, second and third floors are fully engulfed, fourth floor has heavy smoke venting from the windows, fire is also venting out the roof," I advised the dispatch center. "Engine 13 setting up Maple Street Command." "Engine 13 on the scene of a four story wood structure, second and third floors are fully engulfed, fourth floor has heavy smoke venting from the windows, fire is also venting out the roof.
Approximate Word count = 2231
Approximate Pages = 8.9
(250 words per page double spaced)
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