[So, this is the first piece I have written. It changes perspectives quite a bit so sorry if it's confusing to follow.]


Chief Boden felt sick as he heard Otis' mayday come through the radio.

'MAYDAY! MAYDAY! FIREFIGHTERS DOWN! Chief, the floor just gave way and Casey and Herrmann have fallen through to the basement. They aren't moving!'

Boden heard sirens behind him and turned around to see Squad 3 pulling up to the scene.

'Okay Mouch get the ariel up to the fourth floor. Otis, Vargas. Make your way to the northwest window and get out of there. Squad will get to Casey and Herrmann.'

'Copy that Chief.' Otis replied over the radio.

Boden strode over to Severide, who was getting out of the rig and putting his helmet on.

'We've got two not moving in the basement, Casey and Herrmann.'

At the mention of Casey's name, a brief wave of panic flashed across Severide's face before he pulled himself together and clasped Boden's shoulder as he rushed towards the building.

'Don't worry, we'll get 'em.'


Severide and the rest of squad entered the building and made their way over to the very visible hole that had been made in the floor. Severide held his breath as he peered down into the hole. It was extremely smoky but he could just make out the forms of Casey and Herrmann.

'CASEY! HERRMANN! REPORT!'

Nobody replied to the radio call, so Severide started barking out orders to squad, and prepared to rope down to Casey and Herrmann to get them out of the burning building. Then one of the pass alarms stopped going off. Severide had been about to lower himself into the hole, but paused briefly and grabbed his radio.

'CASEY! HERRMANN! REPORT!'

There was a few seconds of silence, and then another radio crackled to life.

'Urgh… yep Herrmann here. I'm good, nothing injured.'

Severide relaxed for a split second, at least Herrmann was ok and not injured. Boden's voice then came over the radio, bringing Severide back to the present.

'Herrmann, thank God! Is Casey with you?'

Severide finally dropped into the hole and squad lowered him down carefully. There was a pause before Herrmann came over the radio again.

'Damn it! Casey! Hold up Chief. Ok, he's moving now, just coming to. I can't tell how injured he is…'

Severide breathed a sigh of relief, at least Casey was waking up, although they still didn't know the extent of his injuries.

'Hold on Herrmann, I'm almost with you now.'


Severide reached the bottom and unclipped himself from the rope. He then turned and swiftly made his way over to where Herrmann was helping Casey get up off the floor. They both looked a bit dazed which was to be expected after having fallen three floors, but apart from a few grazes on their faces they seemed relatively unhurt.

'Hey, Casey… you good?'

Casey coughed; his mask having come off in the fall. He took a couple of seconds to collect himself before he replied.

'I'm fine. Let's just get out of here.'

Severide glanced at Casey, knowing he tended to hide his injuries. But they didn't have time to stand around assessing each other, they needed to get out quickly, the fire was spreading even more… if Casey said he was fine he was just going to have to take him at his word and worry about it once they got out.

'Okay. Casey, Herrmann… help me move this table. We can use it to get us out of this hell hole.'

The three firefighters pulled and pushed the table so that it was under the edge of the hole. And even though Casey had been unconscious for longer than Herrmann, he insisted that Herrmann go first.

'Right, Casey you go first and get out of here. Me and Severide will be right behind you.'

'No way Herrmann, you're going first and that's an order. Now come on.'

Herrmann glanced at Severide, who shrugged and then nodded upwards, indicating to Herrmann that he should go, and that he would look after Casey. Herrmann hesitated for another second, before scrambling onto the table and stepping into Casey's hand as he gave him a leg up. Once he was up at the top he turned around to give Casey a hand but Casey shook his head.

'Herrmann, I gave you an order. Get out of here! Go!'

Herrmann glanced back once more before sighing and then running towards the exit. The building groaned once again, and Severide realised it was not safe and they needed to get out as soon as possible.

'Squad, you go too, me and Casey will be fine.'

Squad hesitated before deciding to evacuate, they knew Casey and Severide were two of the best lieutenants in the CFD, but they still didn't feel comfortable leaving them behind, even if they said they would be right behind them.