Twas The Night…

INT. FIREHOUSE KITCHEN, BRAMBURG STN 2 – EVENING

HANK (V.O.)
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring--not even a mouse.

SAM BRACZNYCK sits down at the table in the firehouse kitchen with his cup of coffee.  MIKE BOSTON walks up behind him and drops a piece of paper from a message pad in front of him.

SAM
What's this?
MIKE
Message from Troy.  He's knocked off sick today.  Said something about "We Knee".
SAM
I'd hope that boy has one. Last I knew, he was a he.
MIKE
No, man. It's from that damn video game his old lady got him.

JOLENE "HALOGEN" PIZAMIGLIO enters and grabs a soda out of the refrigerator before sitting at the table.

SAM
Any excuse for that boy to try to get out of coming to work.
HALOGEN
Troy's not coming in?
SAM
Knocked off sick.
HALOGEN
Damn, man, we're running shorthanded this shift.
MIKE
Looks like us three unless Kat can swindle some more folks in.
SAM
Hell, they'd probably do it for her. Hank hates to give out overtime. Kat's ass is on the block for this one, not mine.
MIKE
You really blame her, though?  This weather is shitty enough.
HALOGEN
Yeah, Hippie, if it weren't for all the down line calls that the vollies had early this morning, there'd be absolutely nothing to do.

Sam and Mike nod in agreement as EMILY "HUSH" LONGILIERE makes her way to the table.

MIKE
Well, there's half of the "gruesome twosome". Where's JAFO?
HALOGEN
She's back in Maryland for the holidays.
MIKE
Sucks to be her.
SAM
Could be worse. She could be stuck up in Wisconsin like Hector and Julio. They've got snow up to their scrotums up at Ft. Henry.
HALOGEN
Don't curse her like that, Samuel!
MIKE
Yeah, Sam, she could be kneecap deep in ice.
HALOGEN
Exactly.
SAM
At least she get to spend it with her kid.
HALOGEN
Where's Nikki?
SAM
Tending to a "sick" Troy.  Who are we kidding? She's playing that damn video game with him.

Sam gets up from his seat and exits the kitchen toward the apparatus bay. As he passes by the window, stockings are seen hanging on the wall around the window.

HANK (V.O.)
The stockings were hung around the chimney with care, in hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.

INT. FIREHOUSE APPARATUS BAY, BRAMBURG STN 2 - EVENING
Sam enters the apparatus bay from the kitchen and opens the bay door. He then sits down on the bumper of Engine 1 and lights a cigarette, taking a long drag.  While Sam leans back against the engine, the STATION PHONE RINGS. With a groan, Sam gets up to answer the phone.

SAM
(into phone)
Bramburg station 2, Bracznyck.
(pause)
Hey, pumpkin, what's going on?
(pause)
Oh? What did you get?
(pause)
Cool. You getting the little ones ready for Santa to come?
(pause)
All right, you have fun.
(pause)
I love you, too. Bye.

Sam hangs up the phone and flips his cigarette out of the open bay door. Sam goes back to the engine and sits on the bumper, taking another cigarette out of his pack. Hush enters the apparatus bay from the kitchen and walks over to the engine, placing her arm around Sam.

HUSH
Hmmmmmmmmmmm?
SAM
That's what I'm hoping not to do tonight. Remember where we were this time last year.
HUSH
Ugh!
SAM
Exactly. It's always "nice" to go to a double fatal on Christmas eve, then go back on Christmas day to do the investigation.

Hush gives Sam a kiss on the cheek and a light hug before starting toward the kitchen. She tugs on his arm as she starts walking.

SAM (CONT'D)
I'll be down in a minute, Emily.

Hush smiles and walks down the stairs to the station's kitchen, with Sam watching her depart the apparatus bay. When he watches her close the kitchen door behind her, Sam turns and looks forward out of the engine's bay.
 

EXT. BRAMBURG STATION 2 - NIGHT
Shot of Bramburg Fire Department station 2 at night.

INT. FIREHOUSE CLASSROOM BRAMBURG STN 2 – NIGHT

HANK (V.O.)
The children were nestled, all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

Sam, Mike, Halogen, and Hush lay scattered through the station's classroom, using tables and chairs for makeshift beds. Sam snores loudly, covered by one wool blanket, while using a second one for a pillow. Halogen sleeps soundly on a table using her bunker coat as a blanket.

HANK (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Momma in her kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled down for a long winter's nap.

Mike sits up and hoists the suspenders of his bunker pants over his shoulders and makes his way through the dark classroom. He enters the office and makes a sharp turn into the upstairs bathroom of the small fire station, closing the door behind him.

MIKE
(sighing, through door)
Oh, yeah, about a gallon of soda and water.

The TOILET FLUSHES as Mike makes his way from the bathroom back into the dark classroom to the chairs he set together to sleep on. He lays down as the STATION FIRE TONES sound followed by the DISPATCHER.

DISPATCHER (O.S.)
(over radio)
Attention all firefighters, 108th Station 1; rescue squad is needed on Airport Road for an accident with unknown injuries. Attention all firefighters, 108th Station 1; rescue is needed on Airport Road for an accident with unknown injuries. Time out, 0105.

Sam, Mike, Halogen, and Hush stir and start waking up as the STATION OVERHEAD SIREN sounds. Hush walks over and turns on the light switch for the classroom.

HANK (V.O.)
When from out on the ground arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Sam, Mike, Halogen, and Hush exit the classroom into the apparatus bay.

INT. FIREHOUSE APPARATUS BAY BRAMBURG STN 2 – NIGHT

HANK (V.O.)
Away to the window I flew with a flash, tore open the shudders and threw up the sash.

Halogen jogs over to the button to open the engine's bay as Mike and Hush climb in the back of the engine's cab. Sam enters the passenger seat of the cab as Halogen returns and climbs into the engineer's seat of the engine. Halogen releases the parking brake and starts to pull the engine out of it's bay in the station.

SAM (O.S.)
(over radio)
Dispatch, Engine 2 is on the way.
DISPATCHER (O.S.)
(over radio)
Engine 2 on the way.

Engine 2 turns out of the station's driveway onto one of the main streets in Bramburg.

INT. ENGINE 2 CAB – NIGHT

Halogen reaches up and rubs her eyes as the engine approaches the accident scene. She looks over at Sam and back at the scene.

HALOGEN
Sam, I know it's late. Just please tell me that those are not DEER up ahead.
SAM
Can I lie to ya?
HALOGEN

Sure, it's Christmas.
SAM
Those aren't deer. They're housecats wearing styrofoam.
HALOGEN

That's what I thought.

Sam reaches over and picks up the radio microphone.

SAM
(into radio)
Dispatch from Engine 2
DISPATCHER (O.S.)
(over radio)
Engine 2.
SAM
(into radio microphone)
Can we get animal control over here on Airport Road. There are several large deer in the road. Engine 2 on scene.
DISPATCHER (O.S.)
(over radio)
Engine 2 on scene. Will call animal control for several large deer in the road.

EXT. AIRPORT ROAD ACCIDENT - NIGHT
Halogen parks Engine 2 so it is obstructing traffic as Sam, Mike, and Hush climb out of the cab. Sam scratches his head before putting his helmet on. Sam has a puzzled look on his face as he makes his way over to the POLICE OFFICER trying to maintain control of the scene.

HANK (V.O.)
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

Scattered along the road are eight (8) male deer wandering on the street outside of a semi with an open livestock trailer. The truck collided with a small hatchback car, banging the car up pretty good. The car is facing against the direction of traffic with its airbag deployed.

SAM
All right, what the hell do we have here?
POLICE OFFICER
Merry Christmas to you too, Sam. Looks like one of Santa's freaking roadies fell asleep at the wheel and Bambi's brothers got loose.
SAM
Lovely.

Sam walks over to Mike, dodging deer pellets left on the road as he reaches him.

SAM (CONT'D)
Freaking Bambi got the god damn runs. What you got for me, Mikey?
MIKE
Truck driver's not complaining of any injuries.

Sam looks up toward the cab of the truck.

HANK (V.O.)
With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.

Sam goes over to the car, looking over at Halogen and Hush.

SAM
(to Halogen)
What do we have here, ladies?
HALOGEN
Forty year old female pretty shaken up. Said the truck blind sided her while she was turning onto Airport Road.
SAM
Just freaking beautius. Think it's going to be a refusal?
HALOGEN
Airbags deployed, I doubt it.
SAM
Okay, you and Hush get her packaged for the bus when they get here.
HALOGEN
108th hasn't rolled yet?
SAM
Not yet. We'd see them by now.
HALOGEN
Got it, boss.

Sam makes his way back to the engine. He notices Hush hurriedly climbing up to the pump panel to retrieve the spine board from under the deluge gun of the engine.

SAM
Hush, take your time. No sense in another person getting hurt.

Hush slows down and easily removes the spine board from its resting place. She smiles at Sam while she reaches into one of the rear compartments of the engine and retrieves a cervical collar and a set of head blocks. Sam lets out an exasperated sigh as he sits down on the front bumper of the engine and pulls his pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket. As Sam takes a long drag of his cigarette, NICK (older, white haired man with a white beard and a good middle age spread) the truck driver comes over and sits next to Sam. The two start talking as Sam takes his helmet off and places it on the bumper next to him.

NICK
Rough night?
SAM
Rough several nights. Mother Nature really has it in for us this year.
NICK
Pissed her off that bad, eh?
SAM
Somebody must have. Went from a hot summer to a really rotten winter. We've been working ourselves to death the last few nights.
NICK
Almost makes you want to stay home.
SAM
Almost. Being back at the station with a hot cup of joe would work just as good, though.
NICK
Yeah, but this time of year, you should be with your family. I'm sure they miss you.
SAM
They do, but they understand. Besides, I've got some family with me tonight.
NICK
(chuckling)
I noticed that little lady was a little sweet at you.
Sam cracks a grin.
SAM
That she is, sir. That she is.
NICK
Well, sorry to bug you, Mr. Bracznyck. You've got someone in that car to take care of, and I have all these deer to get back together.

Nick stands and takes his leave from Sam. He starts to call for the deer and wrangle them to the trailer.

HANK (V.O.)
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:  "Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

Sam extinguishes his cigarette and gets up from the bumper of Engine 2 to help the older man retrieve his deer.

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

EXT. AIRPORT ROAD ACCIDENT - NIGHT
A large, black lab sniffs around Engine 2 for a few minutes. It starts at the rear driver side tires of the engine and makes his way to the pump panel before climbing into the open door at the back of the engine cab. The dog then makes himself comfortable in the center two seats of the back of the cab and lays down to sleep.
Sam closes the back door of 108th Medic 1 and starts toward Mike and Halogen on the curb. He reaches into the pocket of his bunker coat and pulls out a cigarette and his lighter. Sam lights his cigarette and watches as the ambulance pulls away from the accident scene.

HALOGEN
(exhausted)
Time to go home yet?
SAM
Yep, let's go and get us some shut eye. Night ain't over yet and I can already feel it.

Sam, Mike, and Halogen walk to the Engine. When they get to the rear bumper, they hear Hush squealing and "baby talking". They also hear a loud, rhythmic thumping coming from the back of the engine cab.

HUSH
(cooing)
Awwwwww....goodboy...such A good boy.

Sam makes his way around the engine and looks in the back of the engine cab. He sees the dog rooting his nose under Hush's hand, begging for attention.

SAM
Well, Hush, I don't know whether I should be happy for you of jealous of him.

Hush looks at Sam, then at the dog, the back at Sam. She blows a raspberry at Sam and pulls the door to the back of the cab closed.

MIKE

Well, looks like I'm sharing the back seat with another dog. God I love this game!

Sam and Halogen look at Mike with shocked expressions.

HALOGEN
Don't look at me. I'm just driving.

Sam and Halogen make their way to the front of the engine cab and climb in.

SAM (O.S.)
Dispatch, Engine 2 is clear from Airport Road. 108th transporting one to St. Jonah.
DISPATCHER (O.S.)
(over radio)
Engine 2 clear, 108th transporting one to St. Jonah.

Halogen starts the engine lumbering down the road back to the station.

EXT. BRAMBURG STATION 2 – NIGHT

Engine 2 backing into it's bay at Station 2

INT. FIREHOUSE APPARATUS BAY BRAMBURG STN 2 - NIGHT
Mike, Sam, Hush, Halogen, and the dog climb out of Engine 2. Mike, Hush, and Halogen make their way back to the classroom while Sam and the dog remain in the bay.

SAM
(to humans)
I'll be in there in a minute. I'm going to get some coffee.
(to dog)
Looks like it's just us. What are we going to do with you when the shift is over?

The dog just sits by Sam, its tail thumping on Sam's boot.
Sam stands and starts down the stairs toward the station's kitchen, with the dog following close behind. Sam gets most of the way down the stairs when he stops suddenly as he hears something strange on the station roof.

HANK (V.O.)
As dry leaves that before the wild winds fly, when they met with an obstacle, mount to the sky. So up to the housetop the coursers they flew, with a sleight full of toys, and St. Nicholas, too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

Sam starts back up the stairs, almost tripping over the dog. He stops about two-thirds of the way up the stairs when he sees a familiar face.
The face he sees is the truck driver from the call they just returned from.
Nick is now in a Santa Claus suit covered by a fair amount of soot. He has a pipe in his mouth and takes a few puffs as he fills the stockings hung around the window outside the classroom.
Sam just watches with his jaw dropped.

HANK (V.O.) (CONT'D)
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; a bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was as white as the now. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a round little belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

Nick turns his head toward Sam and winks.

HANK (V.O.) (CONT'D)
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.

Sam slowly makes his way to the top of the stairs.

NICK
Looks like your family just grew by one, Sam. Nikki will love him. You got that sweet little lady in there. I think she likes you.
SAM
(shocked)
You're...
NICK
In the flesh, sorry about the mess on Airport Road. I'm not really used to driving a truck, you see.
(deep chuckling)
You've been too hard on yourself this time around, Sam. Tiara's in a much better place, now. You just have to let her go, you're going to be fine.
SAM
I've trying to, but...
NICK
You've been trying too hard to, son. You put too much on your plate trying to let her go.
SAM
I know.
NICK
You've got a couple of ladies that want you to know that they can't take her place, but they don't want to see you tearing yourself apart.

Sam takes a ragged sigh and leans against the wall.

NICK (CONT'D)
I've got to finish my rounds, not much time left. Just think about what I said.

Nick smiles and places one more item in Sam's stocking. He then places his finger alongside of his nose and nods.

HANK (V.O.)
And laying a finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they flew like the down of a thistle.

Sam lets out a sigh and starts back down the stairs, talking to the dog as he opens the kitchen door.

SAM
Well, let's get you something to eat and me a cup of coffee.

INT. FIREHOUSE CLASSROOM BRAMBURG STN 2 – NIGHT

Sam enters the darkened classroom with the dog in tow. Sam makes his way back to the table that he was using as a makeshift and lays down. The dog lays down on the floor between Sam's table and Hush's table.

HANK (V.O.)
And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight...
SAM
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Sam pulls the blanket back up over him and tries to go back to sleep.
.
END OF EPISODE

This special blog entry/episode of Cavalry is ©2008 John Broyles.  All Rights Reserved.  This is also covered under the copyright for The Cavalry Is Coming and Gains and Losses.

Crunch Prevention Part I

OK, drivers, listen up!

Looks like I’m going to have to get out my yellow vest and bus driver hat and give a quick safety class.

Too many accidents collisions are happening with our rigs.  HOPEFULLY this will give you some kind of knowledge so it can be avoided in the future.

These keys can be found the Smith System website.  They all have the ® by them because they are registered trademarks of the Smith System.

KEY #1 AIM HIGH IN STEERING ®

I’m not talking Aim High as in the Chair Farce Army Air Corps Air Force (I’m glad my brother doesn’t read this blog, just some little old lady from Pokipsee), I’m talking aim high along the road.  About 12-15 seconds in front of your rig. That would be about 3-4 city blocks or to the end of your headlights.

Looking ahead helps you see and anticipate your response to problems being experienced by others. Especially that MVC you’re about to become part of!

You can also spot things that can (and normally will) cause you to lose traction like puddles, ice that the salt/cinders/sand hasn’t helped with.

If you CAN’T see that well because of the weather, SLOW DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You need not do 45 mph in a 35 mph zone to go to the call, you can still get there doing 30-35 and do plenty good to your patient/hit the hydrant/get the cat out of the tree.

Poor weather not makes it hard to see, but at times it makes it hard to STOP! (I’ve hydroplaned the engine and slid on the ice more than my fair share of times to know this)

KEY #2 GET THE BIG PICTURE ®

I’m not talking about the 8 x 10 of me in my bad boy sunglasses chillin’ on the steps outside my BNCOC barracks.  I’m talking the one on the road.

How can you tell that Johnny T. Leadfoot is impatiently waiting for me to pull the stop sign in on my school bus if you’re looking completely at the backside of a semi?

Give yourself at least 4 seconds (car) (6 seconds in a large vehicle (engine/squad/ambo/ladder truck) and 8 seconds in bad weather) so you can actually see what’s around.That extra time helps you to follow Key #1 and, when used with Key #3, will keep that rig nice and shiny when you get on scene.

KEY #3 KEEP YOUR EYES MOVING ®

Not from the road to your burger to your coffee cup to your cell phone back to the road!

Glance at your mirrors (ALL OF THEM) about once every 3-5 seconds.

When you give that fixed stare at the road in front of you, your eyes are going to get tired. You also don’t get the big picture of what’s going on.

I’ve bored you enough with these first 3 keys.  I’ll put more in with the last 2 keys in my next post.

The Smith System Keys listed above are registered trademarks of The Smith System.

Bad Skip/Crossed wires

BLOG ENTRY

INT. AMBULANCE BOX-DAY

SAM is crossing over from the squad bench of the ambulance to the captain’s chair. There is a patient on the cot breathing oxygen through a mask.

Sam checks over everything and picks up the cell phone on the counter of the ambulance.

SAM

(into phone)

St. Jonah ED, this is 108th Medic 1.

EXT. RAMPART HOSPITAL-DAY

Establishing shot of Rampart

INT. RAMPART EMERGENCY ROOM-DAY

DIXIE MCCALL glances up from her desk and sees the red light come on in the radio room. She gets up from her desk and goes inside.

INT. RADIO ROOM-DAY

Dixie looks up at the wall to see which phone is ringing. She picks up the red phone.

DIXIE

Rampart Emergency.

INT. AMBULANCE BOX-DAY

Sam patiently waits for the phone to come off hold. He hears Dixie answer and starts to give his report.

SAM

Good morning, St. Jonah, 108th Medic 1 is en route to your facility with a 55 year old female patient of Dr. Popp. Patient called EMS this morning with a complaint of difficulty breathing. Initial assessment showed some wetness in the lower right lobes on auscultation and no other major problems. Patient is resting comfortably on our cot with a pulse of 91, respiration rate of 20 no labor, blood pressure of 110/85. Patient relates a history of asthma and is a non-smoker. We currently have her on 15 liters by non rebreather and we are about…

(looks through cab out windshield)

…three minutes away from you right now. What are your questions and or instructions?

INT. RADIO ROOM-DAY

Dixie pulls the phone away from her ear for a second and scratches her head, giving the phone a funny look. She recognizes this as an honest report, but doesn’t recognize the voice on the other end of the phone. She waits a couple seconds and puts the phone back to her ear.

DIXIE

Unit calling in to Rampart, continue monitoring vital signs and transport.

INT. AMBULANCE CAB-DAY

Sam writes a few things on his clipboard while he’s on the phone.

SAM

Copy, monitor and transport, 108th Medic 1 clear at

(looks at watch)

1025 hours.

Sam hangs up the cell phone and sets it on the counter just as the ambulance pulls into St. Jonah Medical Center.

To be continued…

Just some writing…

Blog entry

ACT ONE

EXT. APPARATUS STAGING AREA - DAY
HALLIGAN and DEE DEE leave their engine parked in the staging area of the call and start to make their way to the mess tent, chatting as they go.

HALLIGAN

I honestly don’t see why Hush is crushing so hard on him. Jesus, is he that dense that he’s not even seeing it?

DEE DEE

This is Sam we’re talking about.

HALLIGAN

I know. Hell, when he’s with other medics, he’s talking like they’re all in a garage somewhere kicking back with a beer.

Dee Dee stops just short of being in front of a colored tarp used to triage injured people. Halligan gets to the other side of the tarp and notices that Dee Dee’s not next to her and stops to wait.
At the tarp treating a patient is CHRIS MONTERA and KYLE DAVID BATES. 

Chris and Kyle stop what they’re doing and the four just look at each other, then forward toward the camera. They all shrug their shoulders and continue what they were doing.
 

DEE DEE

You do have a point.

HALLIGAN

I know I do.

DEE DEE

I had to pick him up from St. Jonah a few weeks ago and all he could do was sit in that lounge and talk with AMT’s medics about “reform” and “community model” calling it something like “EMS 2 point 0”

Halligan stops just short of another colored tarp like the one they stopped at before. At the tarp treating a couple of patients are CHRIS KAISER, JUSTIN SHORR, and TED SETLA.
The three medics stop what they’re doing and look at each other, then at Halligan and Dee Dee.  The five look forward toward the camera, shrug their shoulders, and go back to what they were doing.

EXT. CANTEEN DINING AREA - DAY

Halligan and Dee Dee enter the dining area of the mobile canteen. There are a few tables scattered with firefighters and medical folks at each of the tables. The pair stop at the canteen trailer and place their order. They start walking back to the staging area, continuing their conversation.

HALLIGAN
I’ve heard it quite a bit, too. You know what kills me, though?
DEE DEE
What’s that?
HALLIGAN
The time he spends just sitting in front of that computer either in the station or at home just listening.
DEE DEE
Listening?
HALLIGAN
Yeah.
DEE DEE
Listening to what?
HALLIGAN
Various things.
DEE DEE
You know what we should do?
HALLIGAN
What’s that?
DEE DEE
Something like that on our own. Make our own thing to listen to. “By Firefighter for Firefighters”. You know, “This ain’t your daddy’s firefighting radio show.” Think he’ll listen to that?
 

Halligan stops just short of one of the tables as Dee Dee walks past. Sitting at the table are RHETT FLEITZ, ART GOODRICH, TIGER SCHMITTENDORF, CHRISTOPHER NAUM, and JOHN MITCHELL, all in their turnout gear worn down for comfort.

Dee Dee stops just as she gets past the table. The two women and five gentlemen at the table look at each other, then forward toward the camera. They all shrug their shoulders and continue what they were doing, except for John, who briefly interrupts the conversation.

JOHN
I think that’s already been done.

A Veteran’s Day message from Chief, US Army Reserve

Throughout the course of American history, courageous men and women have taken up arms to secure, defend, and maintain the democratic principles of justice, fairness, and equality upon which our Nation's freedoms depend. By their service, they kept America strong, and they have protected our way of life from tyranny's grip for over two centuries. At this moment, men and women of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard are serving around the world. They represent our resolute dedication to achieving a lasting peace out of the new challenges and threats of the 21st century.

On this Veterans Day, let us pause to reflect on the sacrifices of all of
those who have put on the uniform to serve in the United States military. Let us honor our veterans, who proved their heroism and love of country time and again, from Yorktown and Gettysburg, Verdun and Iwo Jima, Korea and Vietnam, to today's Global War on Terror. They consistently defended our ideals across the continents; and they continue to inspire those who defend America today, half a world away. More than a million have died in service to America; and more than a million and a half have been wounded. Some sustained serious injuries in combat and now live with disabilities.

Our Nation will always be grateful for the noble sacrifices made by these veterans. We can never adequately repay them. But we can honor and respect them for their service.

One way the Army Reserve is honoring its Warrior-Citizens is by helping them obtain a job through our Employer Partnership Office (EP). This program allows employers nationwide to easily tap into a network of talented and trained Army Reserve Soldiers, while also expanding the career opportunities available for these Warrior-Citizens. More than 1,190 partnerships with our Nation's leading businesses and organizations have been formed resulting in the availability of roughly 500,000 potential jobs for qualified applicants. Over 3,572 Soldiers, Family members, Wounded Warriors, and Veterans have been hired through the program. EP continues to
be a success for the Soldiers and the partners, bridging the gap between civilian responsibility and military duty.

On Veteran's Day, EP will launch a powerful new job search portal online to increase capability to those seeking employment opportunities as well as vastly improve the employer partner's access to talent. This cutting-edge search engine and other resources are available to all Reserve Component Soldiers and Veterans from all branches of the military to help ease their transition and enhance their post-active duty careers.

Through the EP, we are working hard to ensure that the number of industry fields and hires continue to grow. Employers recognize that Army Reserve Soldiers and Veterans make high caliber employees. If you have not done so already, please visit the new EPO portal:
http://www.employerpartership.org.

I cannot think of a better way for a company or organization to make a more positive investment for our country than hiring a Soldier or Veteran. What a patriotic step for America's businesses and industries to take for the more than 206,000 of our Army Reserve Warrior-Citizens!
As always, I appreciate the commitment these industry leaders have shown to our Soldiers and Veterans who have served our country selflessly and with honor. May God continue to bless our service men and women, whether currently serving or not, as well as their Families on this Veterans Day.

Please know that your service and sacrifices are not forgotten.

JACK C. STULTZ
Lieutenant General, US Army
Chief, Army Reserve

The #HAWTIES calendar

Month	Who	Doing What
January
February
March
April		doing the “Johnny Gage” move with a prefilled syringe of D50 (or epi or atropine… )
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

It’s been joked about for a while now.  Let’s just see who would go where.

I’ve got my 12 picks for the #EMSHawties calendar.  What are yours?  And what would their pose be? 

(re) Writer’s block

Sometimes, it sucks having to do a complete re-write on some things. 

Sometimes, it’s reports.  Sometimes, it’s letters.  This time, it’s way different.

One of my “hobbies” is writing.  I do have a couple of items chiseled out on stone somewhere around here.  The couple of items focus on a paramedic and his crew.

The two books have somehow evolved (albeit still on my computer and on hard copy in a top secret location) into 13 full length television scripts (which I was told sucked when I sent the pilot in for treatment) and a couple/three 30-minute “webisodes”.

Considering I have either 13 hour-long or 26 half hour episodes with a few more barely coming out of my head through my fingers and my keyboard to the white screen of Final Draft, severe re-writes are going to need to be done.  Characters deleted, vehicles deleted, and a couple of characters brought on.

One of the “webisodes” I started gives a DEFINITE tip of the hat to “the Three Wise Men” of #CoEMS (aka @theHappyMedic, @setla, @UKMedic999) and included a character with some “Southern” roots (all that mentioned…bwahahahahaha). I’m even doing my best to incorporate EMS 2.0 into the episodes…thus the majority of the massive re-writes.

The other reason is basically, half of the equation that made “Cavalry” (the series title) work is the “Roy” half of the ambulance.

The main character, the “Johnny” half, is named Sam.  He’s a widower with a 13-year old daughter. This paramedic also has a surprise or two up his sleeve (and in his locker) when the need arises.

The “Roy” half is about 9 years younger, married step-father of 2. He is also Sam’s rock and occasional foot in the ass (for lack of better terms).  Troy gets in his own unique messes, but helps Sam’s daughter pull Sam together.

The rest of the “station” is a divorced gal, a slightly older than Sam BN chief, a “misnamed” engineer, and a freshly DE-mobilized and freshly promoted captain

Wish me luck.  At least it’ll keep me occupied for a bit.

The Combat Medic Prayer

Yep, even someone in green went pink

From now until the middle of the month, I'm helping my friend @Epi_Junky and the folks at EMS for the Cure, who are dedicated to helping find a cure for breast cancer.

This hits a little close to the @avatarpenguin house (and @lilssgjbroyles) because their grandmother was a survivor for a long time.

You can also go to @theHappyMedic's blog and watch the PSA (He also issued a challenge for the #CoEMS folks to do this).

Help me advise a Brother

so i contacted the media to set the record straight......wmbd and the journal star

This is what a friend on my department put on his facebook tonight as his status.  

its pretty much a given that my time at the FD is over so i figured i might as well just tell the whole story to anyone who will listen.....im so sick of this (Assistant Chief)/(Village Board Member) deal i could puke....legitimate concerns were brought directly to the mayor, not by (Board Member) , but some of us ff on the outside of their little group and they seem to be just swept under the rug...so now i feel obligated to share them with the rest of the village residents and let them decide

I'm not sure how it is everywhere else, but in for the (Suburban Village just outside of Peoria) Volunteer Fire Department, of which I'm a member of, this is becoming the new business as usual.  

(Mayor)  is a good mayor who is just trying to do the right thing, when it comes to saving lives you probably want to have licensed people working on your relatives and friends, also you probably don't want your engines or squads sitting on... the pad for ten minutes waiting for people to show up, especially when you have good qualified individuals in town who can't get on because they don't have the votes to be a member or have been driven away by the lack of respect and discipline on the part of the chiefs because its their kids creating the problem.

Yes, I have fallen victim to the chiefs' children, too.  They are at our Station 2, and if you aren't one of their little friends, you're ostracized.  The "children of 2 house" as I call them can do no wrong, they can disrespect the traditions and structure of the fire service.  They can insult more experienced (and LICENSED) people and pass judgment on their treatments of a BLS run, and can do no wrong because they're the chiefs' kids.

(FF's SISTER) it is outrageous what the good ol' boys club of (Suburban Village just outside of Peoria) is doing to the taxpayers of this town..(Suburban Village just outside of Peoria) deserves better and these guys need to be reminded that taxpayers are voters and they can be replaced..people of need to stop voting for their good buddies in the hopes of getting their streets repaired etc., and focus on voting for people who really care about the prosperity and the greater good of the town...stop wasting tax payers money on stupid crap and start using it for the good of the town

I couldn't agree more!

their attitude is they are being picked on and this town would suffer if they were no longer on the dept. but I find myself wondering where the heck they are at in the middle of the night as i run a call by myself, which has happened quite a bit in the last almost 3 yrs I've been on.

I can't say too much...I've been absent a bunch over the last few years, myself, for various reasons.

so one of our members contacted the trying to make trustee (Board Member) look bad and the mayor...in truth it was us guys who spoke with her and not , she looked into it and saw what we were talking about and decided to take ...action, but their trump card trustee (Former FF now Village Board member) , who by the way has decided to make himself the new rep between the fire dept and village hall.....did i mention he happens to be good friends with these chiefs....has effectively stopped the mayor from taking the action she thinks needs to be done. 

God I hate politics...

anyways I figured I'll be demonized and called disgruntled and a troublemaker over all of this i shouldn't go against the brotherhood, which is only there if you keep your mouth shut and don't disagree with them on anything, but really i could care less anymore.


PLEASE tell me it's not like this on other departments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Last I knew, ALL FIREFIGHTERS were BROTHERS & SISTERS


but we lost a great officer who decided he's had enough of this drama....in reality he was the only officer who really ran any calls in the 3 yrs I've been on with the exception of a few...Cap, thx for showing me the ropes and being there when i needed someone to talk to...i love ya man....so when you hear the whistles going off two or three times a call you will have an idea why.

I can't really gripe about people not running calls, like I said earlier, I've been absent for awhile for one reason or another...the most important ones being my kids (@lilssgjbroyles and  @avatarpenguin ) and my girlfriend @shell1972

I leave it in your capable hands for opinions, blogosphere.  What is this Brother's best course of action: let the smoke clear?  Run for Village Board and help instill the changes that Volunteer Fire Department desperately need?  Give up and go to another department?

Other than my captain, my department has lost several other very experienced FF because of this.  One more just may be on his way out the door...quite possibly more.

For clarification:  my type is in Arial
and names have been deleted/sanitized

A little story...

When the first plane hit, a recruiter was pulling into his station in Bloomington. The recruiter then joked around a little bit about it.

When the second plane hit, the recruiter was starting toward Decatur, taking an applicant to take the ASVAB.

When the plane hit the Pentagon, the recruiter arrived in Decatur, only to find the test for the applicant was canceled and any Government vehicles needed to be moved away from buildings.

When the first tower fell, the recruiter and applicant returned back to the office.

When the second tower fell, the recruiter was sent up north for something.

Later in the evening, when the recruiter was asked why he wasn't making cold phone calls, I looked over at my boss and told him that I lost 343 brothers this day, and after what happened, it just wouldn't be right to make phone calls to recruit people for the Army.

Only time I didn't get in trouble for refusing to do my job.

Ouch on the arm and in the wallet

I've decided I'm going to get a tattoo.  It's going to end up setting me back at least 350 bones...couple of drills and a regular paycheck should pay for it.

For those who haven't seen it on twitter or facebook, here's a picture of it.  A LOT of shading

Ahhhh...the town of Tweetville.

Medic 13 with @ckemtp and Happy Medic (in their snazzy uniforms with new patch and EMS 2.0 badges) are called to a MVA in front of @shell1972's house. Upon arrival, Engine 9 with @FireCritic in command gives report of a very disheveled teenage driver with a vuvuzela impaled in his right shoulder after tangling with a SUV at about 45 miles an hour.

Our heroes package up the young driver and take him to St. MotherSuperior WOI.


While there, the young man's parents find out that Dr. Flamingbagodogpoop is the on call in the ER and raise quite a stink about it.  They sign their kid out AMA and send him to another hospital.


On the other side of Tweetville, the hospital at Ft. Hooah is bragging about the new equipment they have received to treat Soldiers and their familes.  Their lead doctor is shining up the eagles on his coat to brag.


Now, on the other side of the globe, somewhere near Asscrackistan...


Outside the tent that holds the Emergency Room EMT section of the 108th Combat Support Hospital, in it's own separate tent, the 999th Ground Ambulance Company has one of their rigs sent out.  Sitting in the "Johnny Gage" seat is a dapper looking Staff Sergeant and his humble young partner arrive and do a quick triage of their 3 casualties.  #1 has an open head injury with gray matter showing.  #2 has a case of explosive anal seepage.  #3 has an injured left shoulder from the steering wheel of their Hummer. While the patients are being sorted, the active duty medic and the Staff Sergeant have a discussion like this.

AD medic:  "Unga bunga, him go first (the diahreah)"
SSG: "No, I want the head injury in first (he's expectant)"
AD medic: "Unga stupid Reservist! You no do this all time!"
SSG: "As a matter of fact, I do!"
AD medic: "Unga bunga me active, me rule, we do this way"
SSG: "Let's play Rock, Paper, RANK, Og. I do this in the REAL world. Head boo boo go first, then butt pirate, then bad shoulder"
AD medic: "Hooah, Sergeant"

They all get loaded up in the ambo and taken to the CSH, with the humble young partner driving ("We want to get there, Hippie").  

Now, is Joe going to care that he was packaged, given a pain relief, and transported to a hospital by a Reservist, that didn't have all the newest toys?  Is Joe going to care that the EMT nurse that saw him is a PHRN in the real world?  Is Joe going to care that  the OR doc and the OR techs work at the very same St. MotherSuperior?


All Joe is going to care about is getting fixed and back in the fight with his buddies...

...or sent home.

Responding to the Mayday...

"We have a blogger down."  How much have we heard this over the last week? Unfortunately, we're all feeling the same pain.

UKMedic999 has taken his blog down.  His reasons are more than understandable.  Hell, I'd do the exact same thing if I were in his boots--FAMILY comes first.

I have never read Mark's blog as often as I should, the few times I did were to challenge myself with the EKG strips that were posted and hopefully come up with the correct answer. Although I failed more often than not, I learned and will continue to learn.

I don't have a badge to put a black band over for the main reason I'm in EMS, so I'll don a black brassard on the sleeve of my uniform for this unfortunate time in the EMS world's blogosphere.

I can't echo the many, many replies that have all virtually said the same thing; we are sorry to see you go, and we will more than welcome you with open arms when you make the decision to return to blogging.

See you on twitter, friend.

Not my normal derailed train of tought

 Most of the day today I thought a bit about my little girl.  What I wanted to see her become one day and what I didn't want to happen.  Of course, the usual horror stories come up (like 3 weeks after prom or homecoming, or the first time behind the wheel...in an MVA...in my truck).

Of course, I've got a little time until that happens, my little @avatarpenguin is only a baker's dozen in time wandering this earth. Although, there are a few things that would be NICE if happened, but I seriously doubt them happening.  Things like:

• discussing command tactics with @ChiefReason
• pointing out to @UKMedic999 how she sees ST elevation in a 12-lead on AVF but not lead II
• debating the best interior tactics with @FireCritic and @FireDaily on Firefighter Netcast
• discussing Rural and "Big City" EMS with @Ckemtp
• sharing a seat at the table with @theHappyMedic and @MsParamedic

I want both my little ones to aim high in life.  Although if one wants to follow (and surpass) dad, who am I to stop them.  I just might have the next MsP reading anime and munching on doritos while yelling at her brother.

JRTC at Ft. Polk SUCKS BALLS

My first Blog Carnival

First Due Blog Carnival sponsored by Fire Critic

My previous blog post, was submitted and is included in the First Due Blog Carnival put on by @FireCritic on his site at Fire Critic.com be sure to check not only mine, but other posts as well.

I am a Firefighter because...

...of a couple of reasons, actually.

First off, I spent many an afternoon driving "Coffee Table 51" while watching reruns of Emergency! (Emergency! One in syndication) as a boy. That started things off for me.

The other reason was an uncle of mine that spent alot of his time visiting Peoria's different firehouses. My dad and I never knew if he was going to be at 12's, 5's, Central, 10's, 8's, or even way up at 13's (at the time...now there's 16, 19, and 20). 12's was the easiest for me to get to.

That kept me going until 2002, when I was voted on to my department--and made engineer within 30 seconds of pack training (something about that mask flying toward a captain's head as soon as I took that very first breath--on air).

There you go. The "in a nutshell" reasons I'm a firefighter...why I'm in EMS will come later.

I got presents...

I was working my day job Friday morning, and stopped at my unit to help one of the full-timers put the flag up. While we were hoisting the colors (after I dropped the state flag--just means we have another governor going to jail) he told me to stop back by after I got done.

0900 rolled around and I went back to my unit. He opened up the MOS Library and basically told me an early "Happy Birthday". There were manuals and textbooks galore all stacked up on the table.

I went through and got me some that I know I'd end up using for training my medics on drill weekends. Got me the 5th edition CIVILIAN PHTLS textbook and instructor's manual, along with the Brady EMT-I instructor manual. I also got the Brady 9th Edition EMT-B Military Edition set--textbook, workbook, and pocket guide.

I came back home with my presents grinning from ear to ear...@shell1972 didn't know what to do with me.

Now that I'm armed with all these reference books, my medics are get some better training.

Anyone know where I can get the powerpoint slides for them?????

Chronicles of EMS

Last night in San Francisco, trauma shears were opening bottles left and right (bottles of what, you be the judge) for the world premiere of Chronicles of EMS, a reality series about EMS. After my girlfriend, @shell1972 and I watched it, I thought that there is much to be done to make things right for EMS providers.

We watched the gala beforehand, and were able to put faces to many of the twitter names that we have followed and talked to/at over the last few months. I wish I could have had the time off and some of the National Guard aviation boys needed some flight time to go.

After watching the 1st rerun of #CoEMS, I thought (damn, that gets me in trouble sometimes) about the green side of EMS--as far as the Army is concerned, us combat medics ARE EMS when we're out in the field with Joe, and not stuck in a hospital (disclaimer: I'm assigned to a Combat Support Hospital in the EMT section *ER*...although I would LOVE to be assigned to an ambulance company). So in my normal "it's better to beg forgiveness" way, I dropped @setla a note saying "come watch me train my medics". I dropped him my email (both civilian and military) and hope to converse with him soon.

A quandry...

Now it's a time where I take off my Combat Medic hat and put on my writer's hat. Needless to say, wearing that hat makes me sit in front of a blank page for hours on end (when I'm not on twitter or facebook, etc) trying to come up with what to write.

I've written 2 books already, and have also started writing adaptations of those books for television/web. There be my quandary...

I've basically run out of ideas.

I'm not asking for ideas, mind you. If it comes down to it, I'll just listen to the scanner and pull calls out of Peoria. The thing is...basically everything else to make my characters tick.

I've got the pilot about 7/8 done. Just have to close that one all up. It'll be the ones after that that will become a headache.

The other reason I'm just about out of APAP is wondering if there's a way to incorporate EMS 2.0 into it. Along with trying to make a 21st century version of Emergency! in a nutshell.

Guess I'll sleep on it and try tomorrow after work...at least while I still have Final Draft open and blinking on a blank page.

Picture this...

0300 hours Friday night

You are awakened by dispatch for a call of shots fired. You and your partner @ckemtp (only using him as an example because he's the first one I could think of at the time of writing) arrive on scene and find it secured by PD and find your pt. a 21 y/o male with a GSW to his upper leg and lower back. You treat according to protocol and transport to the trauma center...hopefully with a large bore or 2 in the arm.

same time...defferent location

You are awakened by someone shouting "DOC" you put your gear together while hearing gunfire. You get over and are pointed to your pt, a 21 y/o male with a GSW to his upper leg and lower back. He's CAOx3 and shouting. You pull back the charging handle of your weapon and attempt to make your way to your pt. His buddy nearby has already put a tourniquet on his upper leg. Your pt. is trying his best to return fire the same as you.

The locations: The first one is at your friendly neighborhood housing project with a gangbanger. The second...downtown Tikrit, Baghdad, or Kabul.

Today, the United States is at war. As a combat medic, it is possible that you will be called on to deploy to a foreign country and provide medical care in a combat zone. You need to understand the differences between trauma management in the homeland and trauma management in a foreign country during wartime.

AAOS, 68W Advanced Field Craft, 2009, p. 5

Trauma management in combat has its own hazards (that goes without saying).

Most of the time, "Doc" only has the equipment that's on his back. He's hoping that "Joe" has the basic first aid stuff on his person...or that his battle buddy has taken care of him the best he can.

Let's look at these two again...

@Ckemtp will be en route to the trauma center much sooner than "Doc" will. In combat, there could be as long as 25 minutes or MORE for some kind of transport to the closest hospital...with only 1000mL total of Hextend and 2000mL total of LR to keep "Joe" alive.

I will have to continue this in another post...

I'm no better...

Earlier today, I got an email from @theHappyMedic asking me to clear something up for him because he was in an "email melee" with someone.

He asked me "Are you better because you're a combat medic?"

My short answer was NO.

That email was one reason I decided to start a text blog today. Of course listening to Firefighter Netcast was another.

In the world of the combat medic, I am trained as an Intermediate, but certifed by the NREMT as a BASIC. That's right, I'm an EMT-B for all intents and purposes.

In combat, though (along with on military installations at the local commander's discretion) I'm allowed to do more than I could on my FD where I engineer and run rescue calls.

In one case I can basically
Intubate
Cannulate
Defibrillate
Medicate
Oxygenate

The "medicate" is limited. Sometimes we have a small O2 cylinder, sometimes we don't. THAT depends on our appropriate medical contol (No ASA for your CP, sir.)

In another case I can basically
Oxygenate
Defibrillate
and wait for ALS to show up...usually about 5 minutes after we put our BP cuff on.

In one case, I can look good in a green suit...in another I can look good responding in my T-shirt, blue jeans, work jacket with vest.

Oh, how I'd love to do a cric stick sometimes when on calls with my FD...Nope...only a State and NREMT-B so I can't.

I'll spell out more differences as time goes on.

Well, it's part way there

I figure I should go ahead and start one of my own. See what EMS 2.0 is doing to me? LOL

I am a Army combat medic, a volunteer firefighter/EMT, bus driver, and dad. I've written 2 books and working on a web/TV series based off those books. That's me in a nutshell.

For some odd ball reason, I decided I wanted to try to start doing a netcast...decided to take babysteps and do this first.

Where in the world did you come up with 1-U-801?

I came up with my blog title by using a combination of my FD Identfier according to IDPH (we're 1-U-52) and my unit (801 CSH) thus the 1-U-801

for those that follow me on twitter, I'm @ssgjbroyles