training wheels. // evan 'buck' buckley

xi. breaking point

i glanced at the clock on the wall of the 911 call center, noting that the end of my shift was still several hours away. the room was bustling with activity, as the dispatchers worked diligently, answering calls and coordinating emergency responses. i was just starting to settle into my rhythm when the phone rang, cutting through the ambient noise. my heart raced a bit at the prospect of a high-stakes call, a feeling that had become familiar and, to some extent, welcomed. i answered the call with the practiced calm i had been honing over the past months.

"911, what’s your emergency?"

the voice on the other end was frantic, almost incoherent. “there’s been an accident! multiple cars! people are hurt, oh God, it’s a mess!”

my mind instantly shifted into high gear. “alright, stay calm. can you tell me exactly where you are?”

the caller gave me the information, and i relayed it to the team, my voice steady despite the urgency of the situation. maddie, who had been monitoring the calls and assisting me with more complicated cases, quickly moved to my side.

“charlie, i’m here. let’s get this sorted,” maddie said, her tone reassuring.

i acknowledged her with a nod. i quickly assessed the details and dispatched the necessary units to the scene. the accident involved several vehicles, and from the description, it sounded like a particularly bad one. as i processed the information, my eyes flicked to maddie, who was already preparing to assist me.

“okay, charlie, let’s make sure we have all the details. you need to keep the caller on the line and get as much information as you can,” maddie instructed.

i continued to converse with the panicked caller, trying to keep them calm while gathering essential details about the number of people involved, their conditions, and any immediate hazards like fire or hazardous materials. the caller’s voice was shaky, and i could hear the background chaos - screams, car horns, and the sound of crumpled metal.

"is anyone trapped in the vehicles?” i asked, my voice firm and controlled.

“yeah, i think so. one of the cars looks really bad. there’s smoke coming from it. i’m not sure if anyone’s inside, but i think i saw someone moving,” the caller responded, the fear evident in their voice.

my heart raced, but i kept my composure. “alright, i’ve got units en route. stay on the line with me, and try to stay clear of the vehicles if there’s smoke. i need you to keep an eye out for any fire or explosions. do you see any injured people who need immediate attention?”

as the caller provided more information, i updated the response units, giving them precise details on the location and severity of the situation. i could hear sirens in the distance, growing louder as emergency responders approached the scene. maddie was on the line with the units, ensuring that everything was coordinated smoothly.

the call lasted for what felt like an eternity, but my focus never wavered. i guided the caller through basic first aid instructions, keeping them calm and providing reassurance as best i could. when the first responders arrived at the scene, i felt a surge of relief. my team had managed to get the right resources there quickly, thanks to the efficient handling of the call.

as the scene began to stabilize and the call was handed off to another dispatcher, i took a deep breath and let the tension of the situation ease from my shoulders. maddie, who had been closely monitoring the situation, approached me with a proud smile.

“you did great, charlie,” maddie said, her voice filled with admiration. “that was a tough call, and you handled it with calm and precision.”

i managed a tired smile. “thanks, maddie. it was a lot to handle, but i think we managed to get the help they needed.”