Just a short post. I hope to update soon

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"Station 51, Station 110, Station 204, respond Golden Harvest Nursing Home, fire alarm activation, 50 Oak Street, that's 5 - 0 Oak Street. Corner of Oak and Elm. Time out 0810."

Captain Stanley keyed the base radio, "10-4, KMG-365." He handed the address to Roy in the waiting Squad. As he got into the passenger side of the Engine he could not help but hear Kelly. Though his words were not heard clearly from the jump seat with the Engine running, Captain Stanley knew he was complaining and likely about this call.

Mike put the Engine into motion as the brake buzzer stopped. The Station had managed to get two blocks away when Sam, from LA Control, hit the tones again, "Station 51, Station 110, Station 204, 10-22, Cancel call. Nursing Home advised fire drill. No Emergency."

Stanley's tense reply was very short and yet still professional, "10-4, LA. Station 51 returning to quarters."

Roy sighed a relieved, yet aggravated sigh, as he turned the corner to circle the block back to the Station.

Johnny added, "Do you believe that? Twice in the same shift!"

Roy replied, "Want to bet on next shift, too?"

"Huh?" said Johnny. He hadn't followed Roy's thought pattern.

Roy explained, "I'd say that the nursing home has to do a fire drill every so often. They have three shifts. We've been toned on two for a fire drill."

"So they will have another at the beginning of the next shift?" Johnny now saw what Roy was talking about.

Roy said simply, "I think its a good enough possiblity that I plan to mention it to Cap."

Johnny replied as Roy backed the Squad into the bay, "That's a good idea Roy."

As the Engine backed in Roy and Johnny were waiting behind the Squad to talk to Captain Stanley. Roy began, "Cap, got a minute?"

"Just a minute. I'm on my way to call the Chief about that nursing home." Captain Stanley said.

Johnny added, "That's what we were wanting to talk to you about."

Captain Stanley said knowingly, "They are likely doing their required fire drills. I am going to ask the Chief if it can be required for them to notify the fire depart or the Control Center in their area."

Roy replied, "Thanks, Cap, seems your on the same track we were. Good luck with the Chief."

Captain Stanley replied as he walked toward his office, "I'm sure he'll see it our way. Just not sure how we can go about making them call us first."

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After a normal morning and lunch the men of Station 51 were just clearing the dished when the phone rang.

Gage answered, "Station 51, Fireman / Paramedic John Gage speaking."

Dee Dee smiled. She had her scanner on but hadn't been paying it to much attention all morning. "Hey, there."

"Hey there, yourself. Getting ready for work?" Johnny asked.

"Soon. How goes the 72?" Dee Dee asked.

Johnny replied, "Kinda weird, but at least no more trees down."

Kelly added from the sofa, "Oh, man, Gage you've did it now!"

Johnny shot back, "Well, if you'd listen the TV instead of my phone conversation you wouldn't know if you'd been jinxed."

Kelly grumbled, "That's why I listen, to know when to worry! ... Did you all hear him?"

"Shut up Chet!" Gage said from the phone as he glared at Chet, "Sorry, Dee Dee."

Dee Dee was laughing at the picture she imagined. "How far did you all make it before getting canceled out last night to the nursing home?"

Gage sighed, "The corner. I'm glad it was just a drill, but we've been called out this morning also for another drill. Cap's going to talk to Chief McConnikee to see what can be doen to make them report to us BEFORE they do a drill."

"That would be great. Besides the inconvenience for the fire departments being called out, they are tyeing you up even if it is just for a few minutes and should you get there, it would probably scare the patients thinking that something was wrong." Dee Dee added.

Johnny had to smile. Most girls would think it was just a call and he was getting paid to answer it, but Dee Dee saw the bigger picture.

"Are you still coming over for breakfast when you get off in the morning?" She asked.

"If you are sure I won't be getting you up too early after getting off at midnight, if you're lucky." Johnny said.

"I'll be just fine. Come on over. I'll have coffee ready and we'll decide on breakfast when you get here." Dee Dee said.

Johnny replied, "Sounds great. See ya then."

Dee Dee knew not to keep Johnny on the phone long. "Well, I'll see ya when you get here. Be careful and I'll let you go."

"Yeah, I have to get back at it so I can be there on time. Talk to ya in the morning. Have a good shift and be good to us." Johnny joked.

"As good as I can. You know I don't pick those calls." Dee Dee said.

"I know but sometimes, ... well, ... it seems ..." Johnny started.

Dee Dee smiled and finished his sentence, "Like maybe I'm doing it for meanness?"

"Well, ..." Johnny said.

"Trust me darlin' I'm not and you all only get about half the calls that we get for your area. You should come hear some of the calls we get that you never hear." Dee Dee explained, though she was almost sure that the stations got their fair share of weird calls since everyone wasn't familiar with the new 911 system and still called directly to the local stations.

Johnny thought for a second, "Well, we'll just have to compare notes some day. Remember I've been answering the phone around here for quiet awhile now."

Dee Dee laughed, "Well, we have something to do sometime when we're really bored, now don't we? I'll let you go. Bye for now."

I could probably think of better things! But, ... ah,... yeah... I'll let you go get ready for work. Talk to ya later." Johnny said as he hung up the phone to complete his chores around the station.