The State Of The ARTT

by Michael Reagan

  Classroom replies, “Yes, sir!” Everyone replies except Jesse.

  Captain McMenn says, “Good. For the rest of the day, we are going to clean gear and do remedial paramedic training with advanced paramedic Jose Rodriguez. Class dismissed.” The classroom empties, and Chuck Jones approaches Jesse.

  Chuck says, “You make a good point, Jesse. The four firefighters from this station who died last year were good firefighters. They were leaders and brave in the wrong town to be brave in. Now what you got left at this station are the gutless, weak, and dysfunctional. I can carry my weight and hold my own, but many here won’t or can’t. I wouldn’t trust them with my life, especially Maggie. She is no dragon slayer. She was only hired because the mayor pressured the station to fill a quota for equal opportunity. He is trying to get the female votes. Mayor’s reelection campaign is going to get one of us killed one day by a female’s futility. Me and some other guys in the squad are thinking about asking Captain McMenn to find a reason to terminate her.”

  Jesse replies, “I see. I agree we all have shortcomings individually. I have learned though that when you trust others with your life, it can raise their level of performance and the level of the group. There is a fine line between courage and adrenaline where we can achieve a higher level. Sometimes, the weakest person could be the one who saves you under the right circumstances.”

  “I wouldn’t count on it, Jesse, but point taken.”

  3.

  The next day, at Fire Station 7, the bell suddenly rings, and the unit suits up. They are dispatched to a highway car wreck. Once they arrive on scene, they see a drunk driver’s leg is trapped up under his car dash. Stewart gets the Jaws of life tool to sever his leg. Jose is preparing to give the victim a shot of morphine.

  Jesse says, “Wait, I have an idea.” He sees the back of the car caught up under a guardrail. He gets a chain off the fire engine. He raps it around the steering-wheel mount of the crashed car and the other end around the fire engine bumper. He backs the fire engine up, and it pulls the dash up enough for the team to get him out intact. The victim is taken away in an ambulance.

  Lieutenant Kendrick, a tall muscular man, arrives in the utility vehicle. He walks over to Jesse.

  He says, “I have heard you were a good improviser. We met back at the station, but you don’t get to know a firefighter until you see them in action. Good initiative saving his leg, but the dark side of me wanted to see that drunk’s leg cut off.”

  Jesse replies, “This crash might be what changes his life.”

  “I can tell right now that you are a better man than me.”

  The squad makes their way back to the station.

  Captain McMenn sees the bent front bumper on the fire engine. “What hell happened to my fire engine?”

  Lieutenant Kendrick, grinning, points at Jesse.

  Captain McMenn crosses his arms with a disgusted look and walks over to Jesse. “What happened to the bumper?”

  Jesse replies, “The victim was losing a lot of blood, and I saw an opportunity to free the victim and save his leg. The bumper paid the price. I apologize, Captain.”

  Captain McMenn says, “Can’t say I’m happy about the bumper, but you saved a leg.” He pats Jesse on the arm and walks over to Lieutenant Kendrick and pulls him in his office. “I can see we are getting off to a bad start with the newbie. Do you think he is going to be a problem?”

  Lieutenant Kendrick replies, “He is spontaneous and a quick thinker. He could prove to be a good firefighter.”

  “Maybe, but I will not tolerate those that act on their own without authority.”

  “I will let Jesse know.”

  The next day, Captain McMenn and Jesse are having a meeting in his office.

  Captain McMenn explains, “It is routine that every newbie at this station get a psych evaluation sooner or later. After seeing what you did to the fire engine bumper, I would rather your evaluation come sooner than later. Here is the address to the department psychologist. You are to immediately report there, and you are off duty until she okays you to return to duty.”

  Jesse replies, “Okay, Captain.”

  Captain McMenn says, “That will be all.”

  Jesse leaves the office unsure of where he stands with Captain McMenn but confident in the way he firefights.

  Later that day, Jesse arrives for his psych evaluation. He signs in and takes a seat in the waiting room and picks up a magazine. Not long after, Dr. Grace Davis opens the door to the waiting room. She is an attractive, tall, and thin blond in a business skirt.

  Doctor Davis says, “Jesse Cole.” Jesse gets up and walks toward Doctor Davis.

  Jesse says, “Hi, I’m Jesse Cole.”

  “Hi, Jesse, I’m Doctor Davis. How are you?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Well, good then. Follow me back to my office.”

  Jesse follows Doctor Davis back to her office.

  Doctor Davis walks in her office and has a seat behind her desk and says, “Have a seat, Jesse. I have reviewed your file, and it says you are a highly skilled firefighter and have saved many lives. It also says that you ignore safety procedures, that you are reckless, and that you routinely take unnecessary risks that at times, you are a danger to yourself.”

  Jesse explains, “It comes with the job. Firefighting is like a battle. It is very unpredictable. Doing it by the rule book is like having one hand tied behind your back. I don’t depend on the safety guidelines for my safety. If you want to save lives, you put the rule book in your pocket, and you do what you have to do.”

  “A battle you say? Your file says you had combat experience in the military.”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Tell me your most frightening experience in combat. Don’t worry about divulging classified information. You have confidentiality with me.”

  “Well, I never feared death. Dying is easy. I guess my most fearful experience was when I was nineteen years old. Between Desert Storm and the Afghanistan war, the United States wanted to take out some high-level Middle Eastern terrorist leaders. The CIA had Intel that a major attack on US soil might be in the works. Bin Laden was on the list, but my spec ops team was sent after another terrorist leader on the list.

  “Our Marine Force Recon team did a black operation on a compound in the Middle East just before the second war.” Jesse’s mind flashes back as he describes the event.

  Jesse’s four-man Force Recon team repelled off the chopper onto the compound roof. Intel briefed them that there was a high-priority target hiding out in the building, and there might be a little resistance. The intelligence was bad.

  Jesse’s team killed all occupants and got to the target’s bedroom. Jesse and two other members of the team stacked on the side of the door of the target. Jesse silently tries turning the doorknob, but it is locked. Jesse then back kicks the door open, and immediately, Jesse gets back behind the side of the door, as a few AK-47 rounds are fired out the doorway by the terrorist. Jesse quickly pulls the pin on a flash bang grenade and throws it in the room. Jesse and the team enter the room and shoot the target and another terrorist defending the target. Jesse’s team cleared the building and killed the target.

  The numbers of armed terrorists are growing outside the compound. While shooting out the doorway of the entrance, Jesse got shot in the ribs. He got down behind the wall. His team is pinned down and dying. They were taking RPGs, and a lot of small arms fire. Jesse calls Special Operations Command on satellite phone for a chopper extract. He says, “This is team Adam-Bravo, under fire, need immediate extract!”

  Special Operations Command replies, “The LZ is too hot, sit tight.”

 
Jesse explains to Doctor Davis, “When you are on a black op, you can’t leave any trace of a US presence regardless if the mission succeeded or failed.” Jesse’s mind flashes back as he continues to describe the event.

  Corporal Sid is the security element of the team. His job is to repel down to the front door so the target couldn’t escape. Corporal Sid repelled commando or head first off the compound roof so he can shoot any unexpected hostiles on the way down. Corporal Sid gets hit on the way down. Once Jesse’s team clears the compound and kills the target, Jesse and two other team members go out the front door, gun a blazing in an effort to get Sid, and pull him into the compound. Before they could get out the door, an RPG killed the two teammates beside Jesse and wounded him with shrapnel. Jesse can hear the number of terrorists growing outside the compound.

  Jesse explains to Doctor Davis, “In a black op, you come into it hiding any identifiable marks with beards, long hair, no nametags or dog tags. You don’t want anything on you that can identify you, your family, or your country.

  “I knew the terrorists would just torture me for information then probably cut my head off and possibly broadcast it for their cause. I pulled out my pistol and put it to my head, but for some reason, I couldn’t pull the trigger. I then decided to put all my weapons and armor down and run out onto the battlefield to be shot dead.”

  Jesse’s mind flashes back to the event. He runs out in the open, and bullets were whizzing by his head and hitting the dirt all around him. In the terrorist group resistance is the high-level target’s son, Jahari, who sees Jesse run out onto the battlefield with no weapon or war gear.

  As he was waiting to be shot dead, he hears a voice, saying, “Over here.”

  It is Corporal Drake. Jesse runs to him.

  Jesse says, “You are going to be all right, Drake.” Corporal Sid is shot and has a large chunk of the compound structure over his leg from the RPG blast.

  Sid asks, “What the hell are you doing out here without your weapon or gear, you crazy jarhead!”

  Jesse does not want to tell him the truth, so he just smiles. He lifts the huge slab off Phil’s leg. With bullets whizzing by, Jesse drags Corporal Sid back inside the compound. Then Jesse hears the choppers he called for thirty minutes ago. Jesse pops green smoke, and radio choppers light up the hostiles outside the compound. Corporal Sid bleeds out before the choppers touch down. Jesse boards the chopper, and it flies away.

  Jesse’s mind returns from the flashback.

  He explains to Doctor Davis, “After I put my weapons down in the compound and walked out onto the battlefield to be shot dead, I was calm and unafraid. It was like nothing could hurt me. I still don’t know how I lifted that huge slab off Corporal Sid’s leg or how none of the bullets whizzing by me ever hit me. No one from my team survived except me. It’s hard to explain.”

  Jesse continues, “When I was honorably discharged, it stayed in my mind, like an itch I couldn’t scratch, until I became a firefighter. From the beginning, I had no hesitation, no fear. I eventually began to use some of my military skills and adapted my military gear to fighting fires and saving lives.

  “When I see someone trapped by fire, the adrenaline starts pumping. I remain calm without emotion. I feel strong, like nothing can stop me. My senses are sharper, and I anticipate things. I’m flying through the burning building without hesitation. Only when I slow down and get cautious do I feel vulnerable. The more people I save, the more confidence I got that I could not be hurt doing it without fear or hesitation. I became obsessed with it.”

  Doctor Davis asks, “Do you want to die Jesse?”

  Jesse replies, “Part of me died on that battlefield. Ever since, that fear of death has had no place in my life. The only thing I live for now is saving lives. Not much time for relationships.”

  “Do you feel it’s your responsibility to save everyone you see trapped in a fire?”

  “Being a rookie with the NYFD, feeding hose on the ground floor during 9/11, I was inspired by the courage of the NYFD firefighters to do whatever it took to save the trapped victims in those towers at all costs. After that, I decided to stop holding back.

  “You asked do I feel it’s my responsibility to save everyone I see trapped in a fire. Yes, it is or die trying. Unlike most, I have developed a unique skill set and feel under the right circumstances—I’m invulnerable. If it’s adrenaline or just an emotional state of mind, it is what is necessary. I feel I’m growing more trust in that state of mind every time I act on it. I can’t stop even if I wanted to.”

  Doctor Davis takes a sip of her coffee. “Do you think your perception could be a little delusional?”

  Jesse replies, “At first, I did. But firefighting this way, over time, I feel it’s the fearlessness and drive to save another that makes me unstoppable for a period of time. Once I got hooked on that feeling, I wanted it all the time. Like a drug.”

  “It sounds like you have become a bit of an adrenaline junkie. How do you handle failing to save someone?”

  Jesse pauses then replies, “Not well. It has only happened once. It seems I only remember the failures.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “It was one of my first fires as a rescuer position in New York a few months after 9/11. A little girl was trapped on the second level of an engulfed house. I had confidence enough to go after her but got surrounded by fire after part of the roof collapsed. I was disoriented, and for a second, it felt like I was in combat again with the fog of war in my head. I lost my confidence but didn’t give up trying to save the girl. I failed to get to her in time. The entire family died in the fire. I keep this burned locket that belonged to the little girl to remind me the price of fear and doubt in this kind of work.” Jesse takes the burned locket out of his pocket and opens it to show to Doctor Davis. Doctor Davis looks at it and hands it back to Jesse.

  Doctor Davis says, “I think I have enough to make my assessment. I believe you are an adrenaline junkie, Jesse, with a mild case of PTSD from your combat and firefighting experiences. Even mild cases can create obstacles or barriers to a normal life and relationships if you let it. I don’t think it is severe enough to get in the way of your job duties though. I will submit this assessment to your superior by noon today. Thank you for your cooperation. If you ever feel the need to talk to someone, I’m going to give you my personal phone number.”

  Jesse replies, “Thank you, Doctor.” Jesse leaves Doctor Davis’s office.

  Doctor Davis calls Captain McMenn. Captain McMenn’s cell phone rings.

  Captain McMenn replies, “Hello.”

  Doctor Davis says, “Hello, Captain McMenn. This is Doctor Davis. I have evaluated Jesse Cole and find him mentally fit for duty. I will fax over the paperwork for your files.”

  “No, that can’t be, Doctor Davis. I have taken a closer look at his file. His exposure to military combat and 9/11 is a PTSD mix I don’t want to deal with. You have read his file. He has been in my department a short time, and he is already breaking safety rules and procedures. The last thing my department needs is another dead firefighter. Give me a reason to get rid of this guy.”

  “He is not crazy. Though he might have a mild case of post-traumatic stress disorder, he is not impaired by it. Jesse is just an adrenaline junkie who is focused on saving lives. Your department asked for my professional evaluation, and I gave it to you.”

  Captain McMenn has a disgusted look on his face. He says, “Whatever.” Then he hangs up on Doctor Davis.

  4.

  Jesse was cleared for duty. Later that day, Jesse is driving the crew in the fire engine back to Fire Station 7 from lunch and sees police cars flashing their lights around a building. Jesse stops to see if the police need assistance. Jesse jumps out and appro
aches a detective.

  Jesse asks, “Do you guys need any help from the fire department?”

  Detective Tom Walden replies, “Not unless you have a cape and can fly up to the sixty-seventh floor and catch that suicide jumper when she jumps.”

  “Okay, detective.” Jesse goes around the corner to the fire engine to get some gear and rope. He makes his way up to the floor above the jumper. He knocks on the door of the room above the suicide girl’s room. A beautiful, scantily dressed woman answers the door with a cigarette in her hand.

  Jesse asks, “Excuse me, ma’am, but there is a woman threatening to jump off a balcony below yours. I was wondering if you would allow me to use your balcony to try to save her?”

  The concerned lady replies, “Yes, I have been listening, and I am concerned about that little girl. Please come in and use my balcony.” As they both walk toward the balcony, the woman is looking Jesse over. “You are such a handsome man by the way. Are you married?”

  Jesse replies, “Well, thank you, ma’am.”

  Jesse then puts his index finger over his lips, making the quiet sign to the concerned lady. He rigs up and sneaks to the ledge and sees the suicidal lady on the ledge a floor below. He hears the police negotiator trying to talk her down, and it’s not going well. He remains calm while the police negotiator and suicidal girl grow more argumentative.

  The negotiator mentions she has done this before but never gone through with it. They assume she won’t jump. Trying to keep his emotion from being effected by the arguing, Jesse puts in his earphones back in as they are playing “Fly Like an Eagle” by Steve Miller. Jesse is more alert, picks up on the suicidal girl’s physical language, and anticipates her jumping as she moves closer to the edge.

  The police get impatient and try to grab her. She jumps straight out and off the balcony before the cops could get a hand on her. Jesse immediately jumps head first with a downward thrust in a commando repels. To reduce drag, Jesse has his arms and legs straight by his side in a streamlined parachute form. Jesse is quickly closing on her from above. Halfway down, Jesse reaches out with his right arm. Jesse is holding a zip line D-ring that is tethered to his modified harness. With Jesse’s arm and tethered D-ring fully stretched, Jesse latches the D-ring on the back of her belt and then grabs her belt with right hand for extra support. Jesse quickly slows decent by closing his break hand on the small of his back with his left hand. They land safely.