First Day Part 2
Chicago was definitely different then LA, it was more intense that’s for sure. He had seen Buck a couples times, they exchange some head nods and few professional words but nothing else. He was going to keep his promise if it was the last thing he did.
Everything he had heard about 51 was true. Even as the new guy he was treated kindly, he got along with everyone especially one of the guys on Engine who was a formal Army Ranger. There for a few things Edie didn’t tell about his army days including Buck, he was in the Army Rangers himself. He had just finished up his lunch when the bell went off.
Engine 51. Truck 81. Squad 3. Ambulance 61. Betallion Chief 25. Structural fire 127 E 61St.
As everyone jumped he heard few choice words, when he looked over at Brett she looked devastated. “What’s going on Brett?”
“Is a group home for troubled youth, gives them a second chance, teaches them skills they can use in the real world. It’s all some of those kids ha s. You know, it’s always worse with children.”
And isn’t that the truth, the rest of the ride was silent as they prepared themselves for what they were about to see. When they pulled up to the house it was ablazed, there were kids wrapped up in blankets looking lost. As soon as their feet hit the pavement Captain Casey was barking out orders. He and Brett started treating, while Engine prepared to put the fire out. He glance over at Squad 3 and watched Bucks retreating back as they got closer to the fire.
Eddie turned back to his task at hand ignoring the look Brett was giving him. Over the next couple minutes they treated minor burn and smoke inhalation. It looked like for the most part people were going to get away with minor injuries. He could hear over the radio as they cleared each floor, there were only three missing, two kids and the leader of the home who went back in looking for them. A couple minutes later Kelly and Mouch came out with two kids and not too long after that the rest of Squad and Truck came filing out of the building. He noticed Casey and Buck had yet to come out.
“Captain Casey, Firefighter Buckley, report,” Chief Boden spoke into his radio, there was no answer and was about to speak again when they came out, Buck and Casey walking out with Mr. Gomez in between them. As soon as they got to triage the man passed out into their waiting arms.
They laid him down on the nearest gurney, Eddie putting his ear to his chest. He looked at Brett shaking his head, “he’s not breathing.”
“Eddie grab the IV bag from the kit, we’re gonna run a line.”
Eddie takes the bag and hands it to Casey, “here can you hold this?” He takes it from him as Brett places the CPR mask over his nose and mouth and does her rescue breaths. Eddie shakes his head, “I’m not hearing any air escaping, lungs are in tack.”
“Then why isn’t his chest rising?” Casey asked. Brett and Eddie looked at each other thinking the same thing as Eddie pulled his shirt open.
“Ah damn. We need to do an escharotomy.” Eddie said.
“What the hell is that?” Kelly asked.
“The burn tissue on his chest, it’s called eschrar. It’s constricting his chest like a rope. It’s preventing his lungs from expanding. He can’t draw a breath. We need to cut.” Eddie explained.
“Now?” He heard Buck asked.
Eddie looked up at Brett, “now.”
“All yours Diaz.” Brett said.
Eddie reached over for some alcohol pouring it all over the mans chest and scalpel, “hope you guys aren’t squeamish,” as he cuts a Y incision into the mans chest. Once he’s done he looks at Brett, “rescue breaths.”
It takes a second but the man awakens asking for a kid by the name of JJ, Eddie calms him down immediately, “they found him, he’s ok. Right now I need you to take nice and steady breaths.” Brett places the oxygen mask over his face.
Brett smiles over at him, “nicely done Diaz. Let’s get him to Med.” As soon as he disappeared through the hospital doors Eddie finally breathed a sigh of relief. “A little intense for your first shift in Chicago, how do you feel?”
Eddie smiled, “really good actually.”
“You did good Diaz, come on coffee and doughnuts on me.”
Eddie smiled, “awesome.” The rest of the ride back he and Brett just sat in silence enjoying their coffee knowing that they were in for a great partnership.