The nights stillness was shattered as the alarm sounded. My heart raced as it did with each time the alarm sounded. People were running here and there, gathering their equipment and reporting to their vehicles. The bay doors were already open and we pulled out into the street , accompanied by the emergency lights and sirens. We turned the corner and headed south on Main Street of this quiet little town. I closed my eyes and said a quick silent prayer, asking that everyone be kept safe on this night. We had been lucky having not seen a death from fire for a long spell. I looked out the windshield and could see the red glow against the dark sky, knowing the fire was not far away. Our small convoy of vehicles responding, lit up the night with their lights flashing, warning anyone out driving that we were responding to an emergency.
We turned a corner and there in front of us was a large house, engulfed in flames. The truck screeched to a stop and we all jumped out. No commands were needed as we all knew what was expected of each of us. I watched as one of the men scurried across the road and in seconds had the fire hose secured to the hydrant. I grabbed an axe and jogged over to wards the building. In seconds water was shooting from hoses as the firemen tried to get control of the fire, saving whatever part of the house that they could. Sparks lazily danced up into the night air before disappearing. Neighbors were rapidly congregating nearby as others came rolling past in cars, trying to see what had happened. The flames danced up into the air as if they were tickling the darkness.
Behind us I heard more trucks responding as I knew that our department was going to need help, if we were going to save any part of this house. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned to see who was there, wanting to disturb me while I helped any way I could. I was assigned the entry team and knew I would not be able to go inside until I was given permission by the chief. Behind me stood the chief and the look on his face told me there was something desperately wrong. I turned and gave him my undivided attention now as I knew it was important. He took me by the arm and led me over to a secluded spot, where I would be able to hear him over all the others that were talking. He looked into my eyes and I could tell that whatever it was, he was struggling with it. I knew then that it meant that someone was dead inside or that someone was unaccounted for.
This was part of our job and none of us took it lightly. We were dedicated individuals who had decided to devote their lives to helping and saving others that were in need. He finally spoke and the words I heard ripped at my heart instantly. A sinking feeling dilled my stomach with each word. I knew I had to keep my composure as I listened. A child was unaccounted for and was last known to be on the third floor of the house, in their bedroom. He told me that the house was in danger of collapsing and it was up to me if I wanted to try and make my way up to the third floor and see if I could find the child. I looked at him and without hesitation I told him that I was willing to take the risk that could mean my life. It was not for praise that I decided, it was because a precious life may lay in the balance.
We walked back over to the sidewalk that led up to the front door. Dark billowing smoke filled the entire entrance. I grabbed my air tank and my three comrades that would assist me readied themselves as I slid it on. The chief gave us a nod and we headed towards the step leading up onto the porch. A hose was quickly diverted and flooded the doorway, trying to keep the flames at bay so we could enter. Up the stairs we scurried now and soon we were inside the door, standing in a completely engulfing smoke filled hallway. I reached out and my hand slid down the wall as we worked our way forward. After a few steps my foot stubbed the riser of the stairs I was blindly searching for. I knew that once we started up the stairs that we were placing ourselves in greater peril. The house could collapse and we all could be trapped or the floor could cave in and we could fall to our deaths. I did not hesitate as I climbed the steps, one after the other.
My heart raced with every step we took. I wondered what I would find ahead and if I found anyone would we be able to get back out of the house safely. I was calling out to anyone, hoping we would hear a response. Water from the hoses outside was cascading down on us as we searched. Up to the third floor we moved, working our way to the back of the house. The heat from the fire that surrounded us was almost unbearable, yet we continued on. We went from room to room, carefully opening doors and calling to anyone inside. My heart was sinking now as I heard no one calling out to us. I knew that this meant that if anyone was in here they had succumbed to a fiery death. My radio came to life as the chief called us and told us we had to leave the house as it was now declared totally unsafe and ready to collapse. These were the words that we were dreading to hear and yet we knew our lives were in peril. We turned and walked towards the stairs that we had come up. Just as I grabbed the railing to start down them I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to look and I saw no one directly behind me. The unseen person now pulled me back and turned me away from the stairs.
Taking me by the hand they led me back don the hallway. I walked slowly as I heard my comrades calling out for me. We walked into a room that was filled with smoke, moving across the floor towards the far wall. I wondered who had guided me back here and why they wanted me in this room. Was it the firemen’s guardian angel, telling me that the stairs were too dangerous? Was it one of my comrades that thought they had heard something? I had no idea but whoever or whatever it was it would not let go of me. Suddenly a door opened and I heard the cough of a small child. My heart raced as I moved to the sound immediately. Huddled in the corner of this small room was the child that had been reported missing. I thought of how close we had been to leaving this child here to perish in the fire. I took off my ask and slid it over the child to give them a couple breaths of air, hoping it would help to get them outside and to medical personnel.
I picked up the child in my arms now and held them close to me, protecting them from the heat that surrounded us. The unknown guide, took my arm and ushered me out the door and down the hallway. We moved cautiously but faster this time as if my guide knew that the building would not last much longer. Down the stairs I went and out the front door. Around me the night air was filled with chatter from all the people and the sounds of firefighting that I had come to know and love. I walked slowly over to where the ambulance was parked with the child still cuddled in my arms. My motherly instincts wanted to hold and comfort this child, erasing the regretful incident of this night. I was the first woman team leader appointed on the fire department and though I was the brunt of some jokes I took my job serious. I was well respected by all that worked at our firehouse and that is all that mattered to me. I did not become a fire fighter for praise or glory but to serve the people of the town I loved.
Just as the paramedics took the child from my arms, I heard a familiar sound behind me. The twisting and crashing sound of a building, succumbing to its worst nightmare, filled the air. I wondered who or what had guided me out to safety after leading me to the child. I know I would be praised for risking my life and yet it was them or it that was the true hero. Many times when I had started on the force I had heard tell of the firemen’s angel that many had felt and seen in times of danger. I had always scoffed at it thinking they were messing with my mind. Tonight was different as I had come to meet this invisible angel and now I too would be able to tell of a story where it saved me and a child. I closed my eyes as I leaned against a tree, opening them hen I felt an arm slide around my shoulders. I turned and faced my chief as he stood there with a smile. He commended me on the job I had done and turned to walk away. He stopped after a few steps and turned back to say, “Yes, now you have met the firemen’s angel too.”
© Tall Mountain Dreamer October 7, 2007
