Chapter 422: Code Red

Monday, February 13th, Morning

The morning shift started with him relieving the off-going shift officer, which followed with him making the lineup. Leaving his bedroom and office, he posted the lineup, placed a copy on the rig, and dropped the third copy into the shift commander's mailbox. He pulled on his ballcap, which was black with a NASCAR-inspired twenty-seven on it outlined in blue.

Lieutenant J.L. "Huck" Burke put his gear by the front passenger seat of the Tree Hill Fire Rescue Department Rescue Company Twenty-seven rig. This will be his place of business for the next twenty-four hours, and he would have five souls under his direct care and supervision. Huck didn't mind it, it's what he signed up for, and he loved being a rescue lieutenant. It made all the hard, hot, dirty years of working up through the engine and truck companies worth it.

The crew started filtering in and reliving the off-going shift. One by one, the oncoming shift's gear replaced the off-going shift's gear, which marked the passage of time. After entirely switching over, the crew joined the engine and truck companies in the traditional light morning breakfast.

After breakfast finished, Huck made sure his junior person helped with the kitchen duties. The engine company was the house company and responsible for maintaining the building, but the other companies would help as a courtesy.

Once the kitchen was cleaned up, Huck collected his crew and got them down to the rig. The six firefighters collected at the front bumper and looked each other over. As with every shift, they did a bumper meeting. Huck went over changes and bulletins from the higher-ups. Once they finished. They had a long shift with morning training coming up. They were going to be behind the station working on a new technic or something or another.

Before the crew left the front bumper of Rescue 27, the station tones dropped. Everyone paused, becoming deathly still, tomb silent, and all looked to the ceiling as waiting for the voice of God.

"Car 20, Engine 21, Engine 24, Engine 25, Truck 22, Rescue 27, report of a structure fire, 713 Boulder Hollow Road, time of alarm zero, nine, four, six, hours," came over the speakers.

The firefighters broke their trance and purposely moved to their turnout gear by the rig. Shoes were kicked off, and they stepped into their bunker pants, pulling them up and securing them in place by red suspenders. Hoods and jackets followed, with members climbing into the rig as they got ready.

As Huck got into his seat, he watched the chief take off. Securing himself in his seat, he took a deep breath; he watched as Engine 21 pulled out, followed by Truck 22. The rescue started to move forward; Huck grabbed the microphone.

"Rescue 27 is responding," Huck said.

"Roger, Rescue 27," the dispatcher responded.

The crew started to settle in and tighten up their gear. Huck took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a quick moment. He opened his eyes, and everything was where it was supposed to be. Huck's mind is sharpened as the large rescue truck moves through the streets.

"Engine 24 arrived; the building is a one-story residential nothing is showing," came over the radio.

Huck nodded as they turned down another street.

"Car 20 arrived," The Battalion Chief reported over the radio. A few moments later, the radio opened again. "All units go available, except Car 20 and engine 24. False Alarm, the fire alarm in trouble," came over the radio.

Huck reached for the microphone, "Rescue 27 is available," he reported.

"Roger, Rescue 27," the dispatcher said.

Huck sighed, "Looks like we'll be training after all," he said with a laugh.

"Joy," Bogart, the driver, said.

"Rescue 27," the dispatcher called on the radio.

"Rescue 27," Huck said into the microphone.

"What is your location?" the dispatcher asked.

"Brown and Education," Huck replied.

"Rescue 27, can you take in a medical?" the dispatcher asked.

"Affirmative, Tree Hill," Huck said.

"Rescue 27, your medical location is 271 Seagrave Road for a female unresponsive, time of the alarm one, zero, zero, four, hours," the dispatcher said over the radio.

Huck's blood ran cold; he knew that address all too well. Huck took a deep breath and looked to the back.

"We have a medical," Huck said, turned back, and talked into the microphone. "Rescue 27 is responding to 271 Seagrave."

"Roger, Rescue 27," the dispatcher said.

The sirens returned to their wailing, and the lights started up again. Bogart steered the massive rig through the streets to get the few blocks over to where they were going. Huck reached over, pushing back his turnout coat sleeve to check his watch. His face got grim.

The rig ended its run, slowly pulling to a stop outside the house. Huck looked back, "Smeadly, Butler, get the gear and let's go," Huck ordered, and pulled out the microphone, "Rescue 27, arrived."

"Roger, Rescue 27," the dispatcher said.

Huck got out of the cab and joined the two firefighters carrying the medical bags. Huck walked to the front door and saw Buck Pierce waiting for them at the door.

"Huck, I'm glad it's you," Buck said.

"Where is she?" Huck asked.

"In the bedroom," Buck said.

Huck nodded as his two firefighters headed to the back of the house. The firefighters burst into the room, and Smeadly walked over to the bed and checked Maddie Pierce. Smeadly looked up at Butler.

"Let's go; we have a code!" Smeadly said.

Butler came over and started to help Smeadly started to perform CPR on Maddie. Huck stood in the door and watched as Smeadly and Butler pulled the body of Maddie onto the floor and started to perform CPR.

Huck pulled his radio microphone up to his mouth, "Tree Hill, Rescue 27," he said.

"Go ahead, Rescue 27," the dispatcher said.

"We have an active Code Red, and we need an ambulance forthwith," Huck reported.

"Roger, Rescue 27, Code Red transmitted and forthwith on the ambulance," the dispatcher repeated.

Oakley came into the house and looked at Huck. "Oakley, take the basic information from the husband," Huck said.

"Yes, Loo," Oakley said and went to talk to Buck.

Huck watched as his two men performed CPR. Huck was taken aback as these two men worked on the grandma of his oldest daughter. It didn't look good; Maddie had an ashen gray look between the two. Maddie kept his oldest daughter from him for the first three years of her life. Not to mention in general, how Maddie treated people.

"Loo," Smeadly yelled.

"Yes," Huck said.

"What's the ETA on the ambulance?" Smeadly asked.

Huck took up the microphone. "Tree Hill, Rescue 27," he said.

"Go ahead, rescue 27," the dispatcher said.

"What is the ETA on the ambulance?" Huck asked.

There were several moments of silence. All Huck would hear was the two members of the crew working on Maddie. There were a few moments where Huck could hear Oakley and Buck outside the room.

"Rescue 27, your ambulance has just arrived," the dispatcher said.

"Roger," Huck said.

The ambulance crew walked into the bedroom and relived the firefighters. Huck sent one of his people out to get the stretcher. About twenty minutes into the ambulance crew's arrival, they loaded Maddie onto the stretcher and brought her out to the ambulance. Smeadly went to the hospital in the ambulance.

"Tree Hill, Rescue 27," Huck said.

"Go ahead, Rescue 27," the dispatcher replied.

"Rescue 27 will be available minus one firefighter who is riding into the hospital with the ambulance crew," Huck reported.

"Roger, Rescue 27," the dispatcher said.

Huck nodded and helped Butler and Oakley clean up the gear. As they walked out of the house, Huck and Buck made eye contact as the firefighter left the house to return to the rig.