Firmhanded_Daddy
reborn in flame
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2010
- Posts
- 10,076
Name: Chris Barnes
Age: 27
Occupation: Fire Fighter
Looks: 6'2'', 220 lbs, short brown hair, blue eyes, sun darkened skin, well defined figure.
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/drakor82/1260474038-mr-february.jpg
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“Hey probey, while you’re out, pick up a new toothbrush for yourself. I think the captain just had John use yours to clean the toilet!”
Laughter followed the young male outside as he grumbled to himself. Walking to his car he paused, staring at it in total awe. It took several moments for the situation to truly sink in. When had they found time to do this? They had wrapped the doors shut with clear plastic. Looked like cling wrap used for the kitchen. Cursing he pulled out his pocket knife and started to cut away the plastic. A moment or two later he was pulling plastic away from the doors so he could open them. Shoving the pocket knife back into his pocket with a growl he quickly shoves his hand under the door handle and gives an angry tug.
His fingers slipped off the handle and came away with a viscous gel like substance coating his fingers to the second knuckle. He looked at it stunned for a moment and then screamed out. “Seriously guys?!?! Vaseline?!?!”
Laughter from the open bay door burst forward and several men with navy blue shirts, and matching pants came out of the empty bay door. Walking around the red fire engine that was still glistening with water from being washed down. One of the larger men called out in a booming voice. “We figured ya needed a little help since you’ve been going through a dry spell lately!” More laughter roared.
The man turned, face bright crimson from a mixture of indignation and rage. “You guys can all get fucked!”
The laughter seemed non-stop and the big man called out again. “That’s what the Vaseline is for probey! Now you don’t have to you can take matters into your own hands! Looks life your off to a good start. Hell you and the other probeys can…”
Beep beep beep beep beep
The sound of pagers erupting into noise broke off the verbal harassment. Everyone stood still and listened as the call came through, coated with distortion from too much volume.
“Ladder 1, pumper 3, rescue 6, please respond. Structure fire with smoke and flame showing from south side, multiple family dwelling 555 pendleton street. First page.”
The prank forgotten men were running into the bay doors. Kicking off shoes and pulling bunker pants from lockers. Leaping into gear hastily, shrugging into coats, grabbing helmets. The ladder truck full of men still donning turn out gear rolled out of the bay. The second door was opened as more men pulled in from personal vehicles. Chris ran to his locker throwing his coat over his shoulder as his feet stomped into his heavy boots. Pulling the suspenders over his shoulders he grabbed his helmet. Reaching out to forestall his neighbor with a strong hand he spoke in a soft tone. “easy there probey. Your forgetting your hood. You don’t go in without all your PPE on, got it?”
The young man nodded his head and gave a sheepish grin. Chris shrugged into his coat and ran up to the pumper with the rest. Pulling one of the ID tags off the back of his helmet he clipped it onto the hook on the truck and then settled into his seat. The engine roared as the driver let the vehicle lurch into motion. Lights and sirens exploding with action the truck darted off on it’s way. The sound of radio chatter coming from the front of the truck, wired it’s way through the sound dampening headphones available to the passengers in the back. Scooping up his Axe and Halogen bar from the seat holster Chris called into the microphone. “It’s not far from my house I called it in. By the time the Ladder gets there she might be near fully involved, Step on it Tom. Lot of people home today, no school.”
The engine roared again and the unmistakable smell of burning organic materials filled the air. A plume of angry smoke puffed from a large apartment complex as they rounded the corner. The engine came to a halt and one of the men was already tapping the fire hydrant. Chris grabbed the young probationary fire fighter by the shoulder as he handed him a radio from the seat. “C’mon kid your with me today. Stick tight and keep calm.”
The younger man nodded his head as Chris raised the hood to cover the top of his head, the back of his head and neck, up to the underside of his chin. Helmet in one hand, he shrugged into the S.C.B.A. pack and felt the familiar weight of the breathing unit settle onto his back. Every movement was practiced, mechanical, it was something he had done hundreds of times, he always had an order, so not to forget anything. He turned on the bottle, and connected the long umbilical tube from the regulator to the breathing mask. Then reaching back he turned on his P.A.S.S. device, listening to it chirp every 10 seconds or so.
Hose lines were already lain out and fat with water. Chris settled the helmet atop his head and turned to the probationary fire fighter who was struggling to get a good seal on his mask. Reaching out to help him manage it he grinned. His voice was muffled as he settled his own breathing mask onto his face. “If you don’t get it to seal right your gonna burn the sides of your face, it’s a lesson you only have to learn once. Trust me, I’ve done it.”
The radio’s called out and Chris tilted his head to get a better listen. Then he reached up to press the button on his radio and called back. “Roger that, Eric and I will take the second floor Search and Rescue. Stairwell to north side.” He released the radio and snugged on his gloves, tucking the long cuffs into his coat. Turning to Eric he smiled. “C’mon kid, lets find em hot and leave em wet.”
The two men walked to the end of the hose line that lead up to the stairwell and he motioned for Eric to pick it up. “You are going to be on the hose line. Remember, slow and steady with the nozzle. You don’t want to water hammer if you don’t have too. Stay low once we get up the stairs.”
They made their way up to the stair well of the apartment complex. Once they met the landing of the second floor Chris squatted down and got to his hands and knees. He nudged Eric and made a gesture with his hand, and the younger man did the same. With Eric in the lead they started to make their way along the right wall. Chris’ hand on Erics left boot, Chris’ left hand dragging the halogen bar out into the hall way until he felt it meet with the other end of the hall. They moved slowly, but quickly came to a door. “Check the door!”
Eric got up to a crouch and placed his hand to the door, testing the knob. “She’s hot Chris, and locked!” Cursing, Chris nudged Eric out of the way, off to the left and brought up the Halogen bar. Taking the chisel like end he drove it hard into the door chuck. The heavy metal bit into wood and stuck. Raising up to on his knees a little he twisted the axe in hand. “Get ready.” Eric’s hand eased onto the handle of the nozzle, ready to turn it on at a seconds notice. Leveling the flat head of the axe to the flat side of the pry bar he drove the axe against the bar, slamming it like a hammer to a nail. Three strokes and the bar’s prying edge was deep into the door frame. “Popping the door!” He called out as his arms flexed and the wood gave an alarming groan. Super heated metal snapped with a sickly twang and the door exploded inward.
Flames rolled from the top of the roof of the first room through the door way. “Where is my water probey?!?!” He roared as he ducked his head, flames rolling over his helmet. Seconds later a thick stream of water screamed into the room. Meeting the flames with sizzling pops and a hiss of steam. Sight was obliterated for a moment as steam rolled through the hall. Reaching up to turn on the flash light strapped to his helmet he motioned for Eric to lead the way into the room. Still wielding the hose, he moved forward on his knees. Water still spraying, pushing the flames back slowly, but unerringly.
They started a slow sweeping pattern along the right wall, moving quick. Chris pressed down on the radio and barked out. “Starting search and rescue of apartment 2A. First room was fully involved, and the floor is hot. Need someone in the room under us or we are going to be in trouble.” The radio chattered back as the two moved forward. Chris pounding the axe head against the floor, testing for soft spots. The moved cautiously, slowly until Eric called out. “Door!”
Eric was already checking it. “It’s cool, warm, but I think it was from the flames out here. The knob is melted.” He was already moving aside so Chris could work the tool in and pop the door. He moved back several steps and off to the left.
Crawling forward he jammed the bar into the door frame and started to pound away. Between strokes he heard a female voice from the other side. “Call it in probey. Need a ladder on the second floor!” the radio chattered as Eric called for the ladder. On the fourth strike the door shuddered and popped open on it’s own, the melted knob shattering. He saw the woman curled up against the far wall, stark terror, mingled with hope when she saw him coming into the room. He took a step forward…
His foot met the floor, or what at one time had been solid floor. He heard the cross beam snap with his weight, and had the presence of mind to throw the axe, and the halogen bar forward ahead of him. Leaping forward just as the final bit of the floor vanished from beneath him. He didn’t have much momentum, but what little he did managed to get him clear of the first roar of fire as a mushrooming pillar of flame and heat exploded into the room. He heard the woman scream again, but couldn’t take the time to see if she was ok. His hand grabbed out for something, anything as he fell. He felt something solid and grabbed onto it.
He felt heat envelope his body as he dangled above a roaring inferno. He heard what could have been his name coming from Eric. Was Eric falling too? Was he dying? These thoughts flitted through his consciousness as sharp pain in his hand let him know that he was indeed still alive. He looked up to see just what he was holding onto. A piece of the shattered timber was in his hand, a nail had sliced into his gloved hand and flayed open his ring finger. Blood mingled with wood fiber, then he looked down.
The fire that was roaring beneath them was lapping eagerly at his ankles. “Probey I could use a little help here!” Even as he said that water rushed into the inferno, and like an enraged beast the flames roared and hissed. Steam rose into the air, clashing with the roof, and dripping back down onto the fire again only to evaporate into nothingness. The heat washed over him, and he could feel his body starting to sweat as his core temperature started to raise with the super heated air.
He heaved with all of his strength and slowly pulled himself up and over the shattered flooring. Sucking in air as he rested his weary frame against solid ground again. Now he knew what it felt like to be spitted on a grill ready to cook. His eyes quickly scanning, he searched for the woman he had seen. She was curled up in the far corner of the room. She looked terrified, but otherwise relatively uninjured. Chris turned to look at the floor as it had given way and bit back a curse. He pushed down the button on his P.A.S.S. alarm and a cacophony roared from the small square device. A radio signal fired from the small receiver in the alarm system and alerted the command post.
The static and then chatter of the radio brought his senses into focus as he tried to just process all that had happened, had it really only been a few seconds? “Barnes, your pass is going off, are you alright?”
Shaking his head to clear out the cobwebs he pressed the button and called back. “Yeah captain, I’m a little banged up but ok. I need a R.I.T. team.. have them bring a rope and roof ladder too. I have a victim, and a probey who looks like he could use a new pair of shorts.”
He released the button on the radio and the sound of static was drowned out by what sounded like a huge bestial roar. He spun a second too late as a piece of the ceiling above the fire fighter and the victim fell away. Swinging like a pendulum; water saturated dry wall crashed into his chest. He had the impression of flight for a brief moment as inertia carried him from his feet. Then he struck the wall hard with a resounding crack.
It took him a moment to gather his senses. Dazed and aching all over he tried to stand up. There was an instant moment of panic as he realized he couldn’t move his legs. Were they broken? He pushed fear aside and tried to clear the fog from his brain. No, there was a heavy weight on his legs. His eyes studied the scene. The piece of roof that had come down had landed on him. Reaching around with his hands he struggled to find purchase around the jagged piece of roofing so he could lift it off of him. The first two times he tried it just disintegrated in his grip. Growling with frustration he tried again and was rewarded with something solid. Felt like a ceiling joist. He heaved and contracted his abdomen with all his might. The heavy weight shifted, driving pain through his legs as they became the fulcrum of the weight.
It wasn’t enough, he couldn’t get free. He could feel fatigue and despair draining strength from his limbs. He sank back against the wall with a grunt and the weight on him shifted back onto him. He shifted his head and bit back a curse. The victim was trapped under here with him! She wasn’t moving at all, except for a very shallow rise and fall of her chest. Something that sounded like and old style alarm clock, or a high school class bell ringing filled his ears. Shit, only ten minutes of air left. He still had to find a way to get them out of here. Reaching down again he found the ceiling joist and gripped his hands around it.
Gritting his teeth he heaved with all his remaining strength. Pushing, struggling, grunting with exertion he struggled against the weight. He welcomed the pain, embraced it, and focused on the simple truth of the matter. If he didn’t get them out of here they were both going to die. Adrenaline flooded his muscles with renewed strength and with a primal scream he heaved the piece of fallen debris off of them. It fell with a final snap of timber as the part still attached to the ceiling gave way and fell into the room beneath them. He had not been moving all of the weight, had that joist snapped all the way he would have been killed.
Age: 27
Occupation: Fire Fighter
Looks: 6'2'', 220 lbs, short brown hair, blue eyes, sun darkened skin, well defined figure.
http://i880.photobucket.com/albums/ac7/drakor82/1260474038-mr-february.jpg
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“Hey probey, while you’re out, pick up a new toothbrush for yourself. I think the captain just had John use yours to clean the toilet!”
Laughter followed the young male outside as he grumbled to himself. Walking to his car he paused, staring at it in total awe. It took several moments for the situation to truly sink in. When had they found time to do this? They had wrapped the doors shut with clear plastic. Looked like cling wrap used for the kitchen. Cursing he pulled out his pocket knife and started to cut away the plastic. A moment or two later he was pulling plastic away from the doors so he could open them. Shoving the pocket knife back into his pocket with a growl he quickly shoves his hand under the door handle and gives an angry tug.
His fingers slipped off the handle and came away with a viscous gel like substance coating his fingers to the second knuckle. He looked at it stunned for a moment and then screamed out. “Seriously guys?!?! Vaseline?!?!”
Laughter from the open bay door burst forward and several men with navy blue shirts, and matching pants came out of the empty bay door. Walking around the red fire engine that was still glistening with water from being washed down. One of the larger men called out in a booming voice. “We figured ya needed a little help since you’ve been going through a dry spell lately!” More laughter roared.
The man turned, face bright crimson from a mixture of indignation and rage. “You guys can all get fucked!”
The laughter seemed non-stop and the big man called out again. “That’s what the Vaseline is for probey! Now you don’t have to you can take matters into your own hands! Looks life your off to a good start. Hell you and the other probeys can…”
Beep beep beep beep beep
The sound of pagers erupting into noise broke off the verbal harassment. Everyone stood still and listened as the call came through, coated with distortion from too much volume.
“Ladder 1, pumper 3, rescue 6, please respond. Structure fire with smoke and flame showing from south side, multiple family dwelling 555 pendleton street. First page.”
The prank forgotten men were running into the bay doors. Kicking off shoes and pulling bunker pants from lockers. Leaping into gear hastily, shrugging into coats, grabbing helmets. The ladder truck full of men still donning turn out gear rolled out of the bay. The second door was opened as more men pulled in from personal vehicles. Chris ran to his locker throwing his coat over his shoulder as his feet stomped into his heavy boots. Pulling the suspenders over his shoulders he grabbed his helmet. Reaching out to forestall his neighbor with a strong hand he spoke in a soft tone. “easy there probey. Your forgetting your hood. You don’t go in without all your PPE on, got it?”
The young man nodded his head and gave a sheepish grin. Chris shrugged into his coat and ran up to the pumper with the rest. Pulling one of the ID tags off the back of his helmet he clipped it onto the hook on the truck and then settled into his seat. The engine roared as the driver let the vehicle lurch into motion. Lights and sirens exploding with action the truck darted off on it’s way. The sound of radio chatter coming from the front of the truck, wired it’s way through the sound dampening headphones available to the passengers in the back. Scooping up his Axe and Halogen bar from the seat holster Chris called into the microphone. “It’s not far from my house I called it in. By the time the Ladder gets there she might be near fully involved, Step on it Tom. Lot of people home today, no school.”
The engine roared again and the unmistakable smell of burning organic materials filled the air. A plume of angry smoke puffed from a large apartment complex as they rounded the corner. The engine came to a halt and one of the men was already tapping the fire hydrant. Chris grabbed the young probationary fire fighter by the shoulder as he handed him a radio from the seat. “C’mon kid your with me today. Stick tight and keep calm.”
The younger man nodded his head as Chris raised the hood to cover the top of his head, the back of his head and neck, up to the underside of his chin. Helmet in one hand, he shrugged into the S.C.B.A. pack and felt the familiar weight of the breathing unit settle onto his back. Every movement was practiced, mechanical, it was something he had done hundreds of times, he always had an order, so not to forget anything. He turned on the bottle, and connected the long umbilical tube from the regulator to the breathing mask. Then reaching back he turned on his P.A.S.S. device, listening to it chirp every 10 seconds or so.
Hose lines were already lain out and fat with water. Chris settled the helmet atop his head and turned to the probationary fire fighter who was struggling to get a good seal on his mask. Reaching out to help him manage it he grinned. His voice was muffled as he settled his own breathing mask onto his face. “If you don’t get it to seal right your gonna burn the sides of your face, it’s a lesson you only have to learn once. Trust me, I’ve done it.”
The radio’s called out and Chris tilted his head to get a better listen. Then he reached up to press the button on his radio and called back. “Roger that, Eric and I will take the second floor Search and Rescue. Stairwell to north side.” He released the radio and snugged on his gloves, tucking the long cuffs into his coat. Turning to Eric he smiled. “C’mon kid, lets find em hot and leave em wet.”
The two men walked to the end of the hose line that lead up to the stairwell and he motioned for Eric to pick it up. “You are going to be on the hose line. Remember, slow and steady with the nozzle. You don’t want to water hammer if you don’t have too. Stay low once we get up the stairs.”
They made their way up to the stair well of the apartment complex. Once they met the landing of the second floor Chris squatted down and got to his hands and knees. He nudged Eric and made a gesture with his hand, and the younger man did the same. With Eric in the lead they started to make their way along the right wall. Chris’ hand on Erics left boot, Chris’ left hand dragging the halogen bar out into the hall way until he felt it meet with the other end of the hall. They moved slowly, but quickly came to a door. “Check the door!”
Eric got up to a crouch and placed his hand to the door, testing the knob. “She’s hot Chris, and locked!” Cursing, Chris nudged Eric out of the way, off to the left and brought up the Halogen bar. Taking the chisel like end he drove it hard into the door chuck. The heavy metal bit into wood and stuck. Raising up to on his knees a little he twisted the axe in hand. “Get ready.” Eric’s hand eased onto the handle of the nozzle, ready to turn it on at a seconds notice. Leveling the flat head of the axe to the flat side of the pry bar he drove the axe against the bar, slamming it like a hammer to a nail. Three strokes and the bar’s prying edge was deep into the door frame. “Popping the door!” He called out as his arms flexed and the wood gave an alarming groan. Super heated metal snapped with a sickly twang and the door exploded inward.
Flames rolled from the top of the roof of the first room through the door way. “Where is my water probey?!?!” He roared as he ducked his head, flames rolling over his helmet. Seconds later a thick stream of water screamed into the room. Meeting the flames with sizzling pops and a hiss of steam. Sight was obliterated for a moment as steam rolled through the hall. Reaching up to turn on the flash light strapped to his helmet he motioned for Eric to lead the way into the room. Still wielding the hose, he moved forward on his knees. Water still spraying, pushing the flames back slowly, but unerringly.
They started a slow sweeping pattern along the right wall, moving quick. Chris pressed down on the radio and barked out. “Starting search and rescue of apartment 2A. First room was fully involved, and the floor is hot. Need someone in the room under us or we are going to be in trouble.” The radio chattered back as the two moved forward. Chris pounding the axe head against the floor, testing for soft spots. The moved cautiously, slowly until Eric called out. “Door!”
Eric was already checking it. “It’s cool, warm, but I think it was from the flames out here. The knob is melted.” He was already moving aside so Chris could work the tool in and pop the door. He moved back several steps and off to the left.
Crawling forward he jammed the bar into the door frame and started to pound away. Between strokes he heard a female voice from the other side. “Call it in probey. Need a ladder on the second floor!” the radio chattered as Eric called for the ladder. On the fourth strike the door shuddered and popped open on it’s own, the melted knob shattering. He saw the woman curled up against the far wall, stark terror, mingled with hope when she saw him coming into the room. He took a step forward…
His foot met the floor, or what at one time had been solid floor. He heard the cross beam snap with his weight, and had the presence of mind to throw the axe, and the halogen bar forward ahead of him. Leaping forward just as the final bit of the floor vanished from beneath him. He didn’t have much momentum, but what little he did managed to get him clear of the first roar of fire as a mushrooming pillar of flame and heat exploded into the room. He heard the woman scream again, but couldn’t take the time to see if she was ok. His hand grabbed out for something, anything as he fell. He felt something solid and grabbed onto it.
He felt heat envelope his body as he dangled above a roaring inferno. He heard what could have been his name coming from Eric. Was Eric falling too? Was he dying? These thoughts flitted through his consciousness as sharp pain in his hand let him know that he was indeed still alive. He looked up to see just what he was holding onto. A piece of the shattered timber was in his hand, a nail had sliced into his gloved hand and flayed open his ring finger. Blood mingled with wood fiber, then he looked down.
The fire that was roaring beneath them was lapping eagerly at his ankles. “Probey I could use a little help here!” Even as he said that water rushed into the inferno, and like an enraged beast the flames roared and hissed. Steam rose into the air, clashing with the roof, and dripping back down onto the fire again only to evaporate into nothingness. The heat washed over him, and he could feel his body starting to sweat as his core temperature started to raise with the super heated air.
He heaved with all of his strength and slowly pulled himself up and over the shattered flooring. Sucking in air as he rested his weary frame against solid ground again. Now he knew what it felt like to be spitted on a grill ready to cook. His eyes quickly scanning, he searched for the woman he had seen. She was curled up in the far corner of the room. She looked terrified, but otherwise relatively uninjured. Chris turned to look at the floor as it had given way and bit back a curse. He pushed down the button on his P.A.S.S. alarm and a cacophony roared from the small square device. A radio signal fired from the small receiver in the alarm system and alerted the command post.
The static and then chatter of the radio brought his senses into focus as he tried to just process all that had happened, had it really only been a few seconds? “Barnes, your pass is going off, are you alright?”
Shaking his head to clear out the cobwebs he pressed the button and called back. “Yeah captain, I’m a little banged up but ok. I need a R.I.T. team.. have them bring a rope and roof ladder too. I have a victim, and a probey who looks like he could use a new pair of shorts.”
He released the button on the radio and the sound of static was drowned out by what sounded like a huge bestial roar. He spun a second too late as a piece of the ceiling above the fire fighter and the victim fell away. Swinging like a pendulum; water saturated dry wall crashed into his chest. He had the impression of flight for a brief moment as inertia carried him from his feet. Then he struck the wall hard with a resounding crack.
It took him a moment to gather his senses. Dazed and aching all over he tried to stand up. There was an instant moment of panic as he realized he couldn’t move his legs. Were they broken? He pushed fear aside and tried to clear the fog from his brain. No, there was a heavy weight on his legs. His eyes studied the scene. The piece of roof that had come down had landed on him. Reaching around with his hands he struggled to find purchase around the jagged piece of roofing so he could lift it off of him. The first two times he tried it just disintegrated in his grip. Growling with frustration he tried again and was rewarded with something solid. Felt like a ceiling joist. He heaved and contracted his abdomen with all his might. The heavy weight shifted, driving pain through his legs as they became the fulcrum of the weight.
It wasn’t enough, he couldn’t get free. He could feel fatigue and despair draining strength from his limbs. He sank back against the wall with a grunt and the weight on him shifted back onto him. He shifted his head and bit back a curse. The victim was trapped under here with him! She wasn’t moving at all, except for a very shallow rise and fall of her chest. Something that sounded like and old style alarm clock, or a high school class bell ringing filled his ears. Shit, only ten minutes of air left. He still had to find a way to get them out of here. Reaching down again he found the ceiling joist and gripped his hands around it.
Gritting his teeth he heaved with all his remaining strength. Pushing, struggling, grunting with exertion he struggled against the weight. He welcomed the pain, embraced it, and focused on the simple truth of the matter. If he didn’t get them out of here they were both going to die. Adrenaline flooded his muscles with renewed strength and with a primal scream he heaved the piece of fallen debris off of them. It fell with a final snap of timber as the part still attached to the ceiling gave way and fell into the room beneath them. He had not been moving all of the weight, had that joist snapped all the way he would have been killed.
