Chapter 1
"Gage! DeSoto! Can I see you in my office?" Captain Stanley's voice rang out through the station.
"Sure thing, Cap!" Johnny called back. He looked at Roy, setting down his coffee mug on the table. "Wonder what he wants."
"Well I guess we should go find out." replied Roy.
He led the way to Cap's office. Captain Stanley looked up from his desk as his two paramedics walked in.
"Have a seat, you two." He stood up and moved to the front of his desk.
"What's up, Cap" asked Roy as they sat down.
Captain Stanley leaned against his desk. "Remember when the department said they were thinking about bringing on some EMTs to work with the paramedics?"
"Yeah. They were talking about getting some to help with the call volume. What about it?" asked Roy.
"Well I just got a call from headquarters. They're going to do a test run of the program, see how well EMTs will work."
"That's great! We could use more help with the ambulances." said Johnny.
"Not on the ambulances, on the squads."
"Huh?" Johnny was clearly confused.
"Actually, your squad, to be exact." said Cap.
"What are you saying, Cap?" asked Roy.
"What I'm saying, Roy, is starting tomorrow, you two will be having an EMT partnering with you." Cap explained further.
"Why us? Why not station 110, or 16?" asked Johnny.
"Well, the way Dr. Brackett put it, you two are the best in the business, so he wants to see if you two would benefit from the program." said Cap.
Roy and Johnny shared a nod.
"Starting tomorrow." stated Johnny.
"Starting tomorrow." Cap nodded.
"Do you know anything about this EMT?" Johnny was being skeptical already.
"All I know is that he's moving down here from Washington." said Cap, getting up from his desk.
"Washington? Their laws and certifications are different from ours." said Roy, getting up as well.
"That's something you would have to talk to Dr. Brackett about." said Cap.
Just then, the tones sounded out.
"Squad 51, possible heart attack at 1254 Pine Street. That's 1-2-5-4 Pine Street. Cross street Central. Time out 08:32"
Johnny and Roy were in the squad within seconds.
"Squad 51, KMG 365." Captain Stanley handed Roy the paper with the address written down and the pair took off.
E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!
After parking the squad at Rampart, Roy found Johnny talking to Dixie at the nurse's station.
"Now Johnny, how can you say that? You haven't even met the EMT yet." Roy heard Dixie say.
"Hey Dix, what's Johnny complaining about now?" asked Roy as he got closer.
"Hey Roy. Johnny here is just voicing his disapproval about the EMT program." explained Dixie.
"I was merely saying that I didn't see the point in having EMTs on the squads. I mean, every ambulance has two, why add them to a squad?" Johnny said defensively.
"I'm sure Dr. Brackett has a good reason for it. Besides, we could use more medically trained help on high priority calls." said Roy, "Personally, I think it's a great idea."
Dr. Brackett was making his way over to the group when he caught the last bit of Roy's comment.
"What's a good idea?" he asked.
"Hey Doc, how's the patient?" asked Johnny.
"He's stable. You guys got him here plenty quick. Now what's this idea you're talking about?" asked Brackett.
"Johnny here is voicing his opinion about EMTs." said Dixie.
"What's wrong with EMTs?" asked Brackett.
"There's nothing wrong with them. I just don't see the point in having one with each squad." said Johnny.
"Well, that's why we're trying it out with you two first. Besides, you should be glad for the help." said Brackett.
"Why do you say that?" asked Johnny.
"Well this is no ordinary, run-of-the-mill EMT you're getting." said Brackett.
"You've met him already?" asked Johnny.
"Of course. I needed to revise some of their certifications." Brackett explained.
"Revise?" asked Roy.
"Yes. Because this EMT is coming from Washington, their laws and protocols are different than ours. I had to pull some strings to keep all their certs. Consider this one a sort of guinea pig, per se." said Brackett.
"I don't follow." said Johnny.
"What Dr. Brackett is trying to say is this EMT has training that EMTs in this county don't. For one, they can start IVs." said Dixie.
"An IV trained EMT?" asked Roy.
"Yes. They call them IV Techs. It's a special class. I'm considering a similar program for our county as well." said Brackett.
"Well, that's different. What else can he do?" asked Johnny.
"He?" asked Brackett, sharing a look with Dixie. She gave him a wink.
"He also has experience with rescues. Everything from rock-climbing to water rescue to snowmobiling. Not to mention wilderness survival training and horseback search and rescue." said Dixie.
"Well he sounds like the hottest thing to come along since D5W." said Johnny.
"I don't know about that, but certainly qualified for the job." said Brackett.
"Well, we'll just see about that." smirked Johnny.
The HT beeped in Roy's hand.
"Well, that's us. We'll see you later Dix, Doc." said Roy.
"See you guys later." called Brackett as the two headed down the hall.
"And take it easy on the new guy!" Dixie added.
Johnny waved his arm in confirmation as the two medics disappeared around the corner. "Think we should have told them?" asked Brackett.
"I think it'll be more fun for them to find out on their own." smiled Dixie.
"More 'fun'?" asked Brackett.
"Sure. It gets kinda boring around here. A nurse has to find her own entertainment somewhere." Dixie gave him a wink.
Brackett smiled before he was paged to Room 3.
E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!
The next morning, the men of A-shift were slowly filtering into the dayroom, looking for their morning coffee.
"Uh Cap, why are there curtains in the shower and dorm?" asked Chet as he walked through the door.
"Because I wanted to make it feel more homey. You have a problem with that?" asked Cap.
"No, Cap. Just curious is all." said Chet.
"I saw the new bunk behind the curtain in the dorm. That for the EMT?" asked Marco.
"Sure is." Cap continued to read the paper.
Roy and John walked into the room.
"Hey Cap, what's with the-" Johnny started.
"Cap here wanted to redecorate. He had a hard time choosing between the green and blue. Personally, I like the blue." said Chet, cutting off Johnny.
"Oh shut up, Kelly." said Cap, "They're for the EMT."
"The EMT? Is he shy or something? He'll have to get over that pretty quick. Is that why there's also curtains in the-" began Johnny, pouring coffee.
"Shower?" Marco finished.
"Yep." Cap smiled with secretive amusement.
"Speaking of which, where is he?" asked Johnny.
"Should be here anytime. Headquarters said they'd call before-he-got here." Cap responded.
"Headquarters? Man, must be a pretty special guy." said Chet.
"I don't care how many certificates or training this guy has. I'll have to see it for myself." said Johnny.
As if on cue, the phone rang. Stanley picked it up.
"Captain Stanley. Already? Ok, I'll be right there." He hung up the phone and walked out of the room without saying a word.
The guys looked at each other.
"Well, Roy, Johnny has clearly made his opinions about this guy known. What about you?" asked Chet.
"Honestly, if Dr. Brackett trusts him, so do I."
"Yeah, but Roy, you don't even know him."
"Neither do you, Johnny."
Cap reappeared in the doorway.
"Fellas, I'd like you to meet Amy Scheimer."
Everyone's head snapped in his direction, Johnny choking on his coffee. "A girl?" he asked.
Roy stood up and walked over to the pretty blonde standing next to Cap, holding out his hand.
"Hi, I'm Roy DeSoto." he greeted.
The blonde took his hand and shook.
"Nice to meet you, Roy." she smiled widely.
"A girl?" Johnny asked again. Amy's smile wavered.
"I'm sorry about him. He's just a little stunned." said Roy
"You could say that again." blurted Marco.
"Marco!" silenced the Cap.
"Let me introduce you to the guys." said Roy.
That seemed to rattle them out of their shock. They stood up, extending a hand as Roy introduced each one. Mike was first in line. "This is Mike, our Engineer."
"Good to know who's in charge of the engine." she smiled, shaking his hand.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Amy, please." she said sweetly. She moved on to the next man in line.
"This is Chet Kelly, one of our linemen."
"Nice to meet you, Chet."
"Pleasure is all mine." He said, placing both hands on hers. Roy rolled his eyes as they moved on.
"This is Marco Lopez, another linemen."
"Pleasure to meet you, Señorita."
"Muchas Gracias, Señor."
"Oh, tu' hablas Español?"
"Si. Yo hablo mucho de español."
"She speaks Spanish, too?" asked Johnny.
"And this is my partner, John Gage, but we all call him Johnny." said Roy, flashing him a warning glance.
"Nice to meet you, Johnny. Are you two the paramedics I'll be working with?"
"Well, I don't know about-"
"Yes ma'am. That we are." Roy cut off Johnny.
"Oh, please, Roy. Call me Amy."
"Okay, Amy. Would you excuse me for a moment?"
"Sure."
"Cap," Roy turned toward Stanley, "can I see you for a moment?"
"Sure, Roy."
"M-me, too." Mumbled Johnny, stumbling over his chair as he followed the two out.
Amy watched the group walk out the door. It wasn't hard to guess what they were going to talk about.
E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!
Roy waited until they were in Cap's office before speaking.
"Cap," Roy started.
"I already know what you're going to say, DeSoto, but Dixie made me promise not to tell."
"She knew?! That means Brackett-" started Johnny.
"Yeah. He probably knew you would react this way, so he didn't want us to find out." said Roy. He turned back to Stanley.
"Cap, she's a woman-"
"I know, Roy. Headquarters has cleared it. That's the reason for the curtains."
"And she's okay with this?" asked Roy.
"Apparently, she had a similar set up at the company she came from. They all shared the same living quarters."
"But she's a girl!" blurted Johnny, not yet able to get past the obvious.
"Yes, Gage. We've established that." said Cap, slightly irritated.
"Since when do you have a problem with girls?" asked Roy.
"I n-nuthin. Just surprised me. T-that's all." Johnny stumbled.
"We will just have to make due. And you never know, maybe she knows how to cook." said Cap.
"Yeah, you're right. Maybe she does." Johnny said to himself.
E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!
"So, where are you from?" asked Marco. The rest of the A-shift were all sitting at the table now, their full attention on the small blonde in front of them.
"I'm from a small town in the Northern Cascades, in Washington."
"Why did you move down here?" asked Mike, breaking his usual silence.
"Well, I moved down to take care of my grandma. She's getting older and wanted to help. My supervisor got in contact with Dr. Brackett and here I am."
"How big was your station?" asked Marco.
"Station? Oh, no. I'm not a fire fighter. We had our own ambulance crew that ran out of the hospital."
"Really? How did that work?" asked Marco.
"Well, we had two ambulances, one Medic and one EMT on each. And we all would respond to calls."
"So you're strictly medical trained." said Mike.
"Yes. I do have a lot of experience with all kinds of rescues as well, but I am planning on acquiring my red card while I'm here."
"That'll be a first. A woman firefighter. It's awfully hard work." said Marco.
"I think I can keep up." smiled Amy. Just then, she noticed that Chet had been quiet. "Chet, are you okay?" she asked.
"My head," he said, putting his hands to his forehead, "Maybe some fresh air will help." He stood up and took a couple steps before falling to the floor, apparently unconscious.
"Chet!" called Mike, as he and Marco jumped up.
Amy calmly set down her mug and stood up. She took one look at Chet, then looked at Marco.
"Marco, would you please go get me the drug box?" she asked calmly.
"Uh, sure. I'll get Roy."
"That would be great. Thanks."
Marco left the room as Amy knelt down next to Chet. She fought to keep the smile back from her somber face. She gently felt the back of Chet's head.
"Has he ever done this before?"
"No, he's never had this happen." said Mike.
"No medications?"
"None."
Amy looked up and met his gaze. She knew by the look in his eyes that he was legitimately concerned. The look of pity crossed her face.
"Amy, what's going on? Marco said-Chet?!" Roy had just entered the doorway of the room.
Amy looked up and saw the rest of the guys by the door, Marco setting the drug box on the floor next to her.
"Its okay, Roy. I got this." She opened the drug box.
"EMTs can't-"
"I'm not going to, Roy." She said sweetly as she dug through the bottom of the box.
"Ah!" She lifted something small and white. Roy recognized it immediately, smiling to himself.
"Roy, are you gonna-"
"Shh, Junior. It's ok."
Obviously, Johnny hadn't seen what Amy had in her hand.
There was a small 'snap'. Then she held the piece of white capsule to Chet's nose. He suddenly jumped awake, coughing.
"Aaggh! What is that stuff?" he asked, trying to clear his nose.
"Smelling salts. Works every time." said Amy, closing the box.
"Man, you are the first one who's caught me."
"Kelly!" scolded Cap.
"Sorry, Cap. Had to try."
"It's okay, Cap. I expected it." She stood up, handing the box to Roy, "Just be grateful that I went with the salts instead of my usual option."
"Oh yeah? What's that?" asked Chet as he stood up as well.
An evil kind of grin crossed Amy's face.
"Two large bore IVs and a nasopharyngeal airway in both nostril." she turned to Roy, "Shall we go to the squad?"
"Absolutely." smiled Roy, leading her into the bay.
"Kelly, I would be careful with that one if I were you." said Cap.
"Yeah Cap, I figured."