The training videos were atrocious. Not only were they filmed on a cell phone and narrated in monotone, but every time the police evacuated someone, it blastedBack in BlackandThunderstruck. Captain Williams had no problem sitting through this salute to AC/DC. Chief Reyes and the rest of the police force, however, were having a difficult time not losing it. Her officers were quietly placing bets on the Aiden versus Vanessa pool, and Erin ended up getting passed a bunch of notes and another hundred bucks.
Video concluding, Reyes cut the feed. “Kormos, please remember to vet the videos next time. After lunch, you can review hot, warm, and cold zones before the hands-on sessions. Please remember that even though you have a new bulletproof vest, we want you to stay out of the active shooter zones—the hot zones. You may enter the warm zones, but bulletproof vests don’t make you bulletproof. Why don’t you demonstrate some of the basic escort formations through the warm zone, Kormos, Layton?”
Elias and Charlie presented some of the basics of Rescue Task Force protective formations around EMS/Firefighters. Standard procedure called for three officers in front, with two firefighters in the middle and one rear guard. They reviewed that the goal was to tie off all bleeding injuries and immediately transport victims into the safe ‘cold zones.’
They had neared the scheduled break time when someone knocked on the side door near the barn.
“I’m glad I finished my appointment at MetroGen to get here in time.” Soto let himself in, popping an inhaler in his Hawaiian shirt’s pocket. Aiden slinked away into the back, and Erin heartily wished Soto had forgotten the yearly celebration of Kevin.
“You’re always welcome,” Baker offered his hand.
“Matteo, is that you?” Chief Reyes exclaimed, her voice changing significantly.
“Isadora!” Soto embraced Reyes in a warm hug. “It’s been too long.”
Luna’s jaw dropped and might have been near collapsing in shock. “You know each other?”
“Don’t worry,mi sobrina,” Soto said. “Isadora and I are old friends. Besides, I brought more fun.”
More people entered the firehouse, carrying trays and paper goods. Soto hit the barn doors, revealing a Thai food catering van and an older African American couple, dressed in suits and carrying large signs reading, ‘Happy Unbirthday, Kevin!’
“What is this?” Williams asked as growing horror crossed Kevin’s face.
“Catered Unbirthday lunch for the entire group, donated by the accounting firm Elk and Elk,” Soto announced gleefully. The teams helped rearrange chairs and set out tables for the meal with no hesitation.
“Why wasn’t I informed?” Williams demanded, watching the activity occurring around him.
“It’s on the calendar. Happens once a year,” the former captain stated as if it were common knowledge.
“An Unbirthday Party?” Williams questioned as his team unloaded large plates of noodles from the food truck. Theo gave a quick hug to Drew, who carried in a tray of different beverage options.
“Yes, his parents are senior partners at Elk and Elk. It’s a Firehouse 15 tradition,” Soto explained further.
“I think that’s everything.” Drew surveyed the wide spread of food. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He started to leave with the rest of his staff.
“Great job, honey.” Theo squeezed Drew’s hand. “Good to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Jones.”
“Happy to see you again,” Mrs. Jones said, noticing Theo’s wedding ring necklace. “Oh, this must be your husband. We insist you join us.”
“Umm, right. I can spare half an hour,” Drew stammered, suddenly uncomfortable in the light of his and Theo’s four-month relationship.
“I don’t know,” Captain Williams began in an attempt to control the situation. “We don’t usually have visitors…”
Reyes boxed him out. “He’s welcome. We aren’t taking calls right now, and this is a training exercise. It’s supposed to bring a sense of camaraderie. If we’re welcoming family members, he should stay.”
Erin was dying while she set napkins and plates on the tables. Williams was clearly blindsided by these visitors invading his station. He hadn’t anticipated Reyes’slaissez-faireattitude about community members witnessing training. Considering the police needed all the community outreach it could manage, they would take what they could get.
“Why don’t we all sit down? Everyone is welcome at the table. Elk and Elk provided more than enough food for everyone. Thank you,” Baker interrupted, defusing what Erin knew was the beginning of a tense situation between the police chief and his hard-headed captain. Not that the captain had any idea what was going on. Luna and Elias had plotted perfectly to exploit the things Captain Williams struggled to anticipate—‘innovation and creative interpretation of situations.’
The tables was set in a U shape. Baker sat next to Reyes who had Soto on her other side. Williams chose to sit next to Chief Baker rather than Soto. The Jones family, including Kevin on the far end, sat next to Williams. Luna sat next to her uncle with Elias.
The rest of Firehouse 15 stayed as far away as possible from Williams and the Jones family. Charlie ended up between Aiden and Vanessa. Erin, Theo, Drew, and Carver let the entire police force separate them from the drama near the head table.
“Where is the cake?” Erin whispered, scanning the tables for the cake she’d ordered from the Giant Eagle grocery store.
“Who forgot to pick up the cake?” Theo mouthed at Erin.
“The probie,” Erin said.
