9-1-1 ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ ᴏɴᴇ sʜᴏᴛs

School Fire - Maddie Buckley

Charlie Buckley - 15

Maddie Buckley had just settled into her shift at the 9-1-1 call center, the familiar hum of the bustling office serving as a backdrop to her thoughts. Her mind frequently wandered to her daughter, Charlie, who had recently turned 15. Despite the usual teenage angst, Charlie was a bright and resilient young girl, much like her uncle Buck, who she admired greatly.

The routine calls were coming in—medical emergencies, minor accidents, and a few noise complaints. Maddie handled each with her characteristic calm and empathy, her thoughts often flickering back to Charlie, who was attending school just a few miles away.

Around midday, the tranquility of the office was shattered by an urgent call. Maddie's screen flashed red—a fire emergency at Charlie's high school. Her heart skipped a beat as she took the call.

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?" Maddie answered, her voice steady despite the rising panic inside her.

"There's a fire at Lincoln High School," the caller said, panic evident in their voice. "Kids are trapped inside!"

Maddie's blood ran cold. Lincoln High School. Charlie's school.

"Help is on the way," she assured the caller, quickly dispatching fire and emergency services. "Stay on the line if it's safe to do so."

As the call ended, another call came in, this one directly routed to her extension. Maddie answered, trying to maintain her composure.

"9-1-1, what's your emergency?"

"Mom?" a terrified voice whispered through the receiver. Maddie's heart stopped. It was Charlie.

"Charlie, honey, where are you?" Maddie asked, her voice trembling.

"I'm in the science lab. The fire is outside, and the door is jammed," Charlie said, her voice cracking with fear. "I can't get out."

"Okay, sweetheart, listen to me," Maddie said, switching to a tone of calm authority, the one she used with panicked callers. "Help is on the way. Stay low to the ground to avoid the smoke."

Charlie followed her mother's instructions, crouching down as low as she could. She had paid close attention to her uncle Buck's fire safety talks and knew the importance of staying calm.

"The firefighters are coming, Charlie. Your uncle Buck is coming," Maddie said, hoping the mention of Buck would give her daughter some comfort.

---

At the firehouse, Buck had just finished a drill when the alarm sounded. The captain's voice boomed through the speakers.

"All units, we have a fire at Lincoln High School. Reports of multiple students trapped inside."

Buck's heart raced. Lincoln High School. Charlie.

He quickly geared up, his thoughts a blur of worry for his niece. The ride to the school felt like an eternity, the sirens blaring in his ears, matching the pounding of his heart.

As they arrived, the scene was chaotic—students and teachers were being evacuated, but the fire was spreading rapidly. Buck's instincts kicked in as he joined his team, his focus narrowing to one goal: find Charlie.

---

Inside the call center, Maddie stayed on the line with Charlie, trying to keep her calm.

"Mom, the smoke is getting thicker," Charlie said, coughing.

"Cover your mouth with a wet cloth if you can," Maddie instructed, her voice tight with fear. "And stay near the window if there's one."

"There is," Charlie replied, moving toward it. "But it's locked."