Chapter 2: Who knew jungle gyms were tricky?
"You'd think they'd know better than dumping their bar-b-cues into the trash can!" Chet complained as he washed his hands in the bathroom.
"I'd at least hope they'd dump the ice and water from their cooler on top of it instead of walking away!" Marco added. They hurried into the kitchen hoping to get their lunch put together when the tones sounded again.
"Engine 36, Squad 51, unknown type rescue, Jefferson Park," the dispatcher stated. "Cross streets, Madison and Orange. Time out, 14:10."
"Squad 51, KMG 365," Captain Stanley replied. He handed the paper to Roy.
"Hey, Chet," Johnny called, "sandwiches are in the fridge!" he jumped into the squad and pulled on his helmet. The paper was checked and put away.
"Left on Orange," Gage pointed as he braced himself against the dash board. He always felt Roy wanted to be a race car driver as a child. "Two blocks on the right."
As they approached the park they slowed down and began scanning for some indication where they needed to go. Finally they spied a police officer waving them over.
"Hey, Vince!," Roy greeted him.
"Roy, Johnny," he nodded. "You're gonna like this one." He waved them up the service road towards the playground area. Engine 36 was already there, the crew looking up at the top of an intricate jungle gym. The paramedics parked and started for their equipment while glancing up.
"How did he manage that?" Gage muttered as he dragged the drug box out.
"Better question is, how are we gonna get him down?" Desoto replied as he pulled out the biophone and O2. They walked over to the rest of the crew.
"I think the walker is a nice touch," the fire captain said to his engineer. "Hi Johnny, Roy," he greeted them.
"I guess I'll just climb up and check him out," Gage set down his helmet and drug box and approached the jungle gym.
"Hey, mister," a child pulled on his arm. "You tell him his turn is up! We all counted and he has to get down!"
"I'll see what I can do," Gage promised as he grabbed onto the bars and pulled himself up. Soon he eased himself next to the older man who was clinging both to the structure and his aluminum walker.
"Hi, I'm Johnny Gage," he announced himself. "What's your name?"
"Ah, Paul, Paul Lewis," the man managed. "My grandson and wife kind of dared me to climb on up here, but I can't figure how to get down."
"I can see it's a problem, Paul," Gage allowed. "Maybe if my partner comes up we can guide you down to the ground. Where is your wife?"
"Woman with the camera," he muttered, rolling his eyes. "Say cheese." The paramedic worked to quell a laugh, settling for a strangled chuckle.
"Sorry," he apologized. "I guess she thinks you're alright." Paul nodded with a deep sigh. "Roy! I think we can help Paul down." Soon the blonde paramedic was by Jim's other side.
"Why the walker?" Gage had to ask.
"Actually, it gave me something to pull up on. I was standing up on top before I decided it was not the smartest thing to do," the man admitted shamed-faced.
"You know, sir, I think if your wife got that picture you'll be alright!" Johnny said with a grin. Paul smiled for the first time.
"You know, I think you're right!" he agreed.
Working in tandem the paramedics first removed the walker and tossed it down to the waiting crew below. Next they helped Paul move step by step down the jungle gym until he was finally on the ground. Putting their arms around his waist, two of the fire men helped him walk over to the grass so he could be checked out.
"Thanks mister!" the child called as he clambered up the structure. As they took vitals Paul's wife and grandson came over. The boy happily hugged the older man.
"That was so cool, Pop pop." he said. "I could never stand up like you did!"
"I'm not so sure I could stand up, either!" he admitted to his grandson. Blood pressure, pulse and respiration were checked and called in to Rampart. As there seemed to be no actual problems, Early suggested the patient rest and take aspirin if his muscles hurt later. As always, he urged him to go to his own physician for a checkup. As Paul signed the waiver, Roy grinned.
"Ma'am, you'll have to send us a copy of Paul on top of the gym," he requested and held out one of his business cards from the station.
"I know I got some good ones!" she said. "I'll mail one to you soon, Mr. Desoto." As they packed up Gage turned to his partner.
"I'm certainly glad 36 was out with us!" he said, " 'cause the guys back at the station will never believe us!"
"Why did you think I asked for a picture?" Roy replied.
"Smart man," Johnny grunted.