Chapter 1: Response
It all started about 9:30 AM September 11th 2001. The call came in. "Engine. Ladder. Battalion. Working Multiple story structure fire."
"Ladder 62 Enroute. ETA 5 Minutes."
"10-4 Ladder 62."
Ive been a firefighter for 3 years know. It came in the radio as just another routine call. Multiple story structure fire. But that address. It sounded familiar. Wait. IT WAS THE WORLD TRADE CENTER! Over the radio all you could hear were people screaming. Sirens. And more screaming. It sounded like Hell had come to NYC. I looked out the window of the Truck and there she was. The World Trade Center. Smoke everywheres. It was hell. But all of sudden I saw a bird go towards the second Tower. It wasnt a bird. It was a plane!
"Holy Shit." The words anyone said the whole ride. Holy shit. Coming out of the mouth of Lt. Marcus Lenitti. He use to be down at Squad 2 until he took the Lt. Test and got a perfect 100. The only one in department history. But would he live up to the job today?
We pulled up to a hydrant a block down from the Towers.
"Manhetti and Sherman!" The sound of my name getting called. Jarrod Manhetti. My name. My story. My life.
"Yes sir" We both said at the same second.
"Were called to do a Search and Rescue. Sherman take a 2 and a half. Manhetti take a Haligan.
"Why does he get the Haligan." Sherman said in his annoying ass voice.
"John. Shut the hell up. He gets the Haligan because hes been with the department longer and doesnt whine about orders." YOU GO LT!
Chapter 2: Get in there Probie!
"Yeah Probie." John was the newest member to our crew. But he has been with the department for almost a year and a half.
"Dont go there Manhetti. You know I can kick your ass anyday." He says that even though I always win in arm wrestling.
We enter the first tower and all it is is caios. Men and women were all heading to the doors. But one man stopped...
"HELP! HELP! LUCAS! HES STUCK ON THE 73rd FLOOR!"
"Why is it always the 73rd floor." Of course Sherman would say that. If you dont want to do this. Then why did you sign up?
"Shut up and move Probie."
"Jeepers! Hi Lt." Damn bastard scared the livin shit out of me.
"You gonna head to the 73rd floor or what?"
"Yeah. We going or what Manhatti?"
"Shut up Probie."
"Only if I could."
We walked up 18 floors when we were halted by a huge line of civilians running down the stairs. People tried to stop and say someone was up there but they were just shoved along. Ive never seen so many rude people in such a rush. Finally at the morning rush line passed and Sherman and I moved on.
Chatper 3: The first Grab
We got to the 42nd floor when we saw Luke the Jew. He was all bloody and burned. There must be fire up this way.
"Go back! Save yourself"
Thats all he could say grasping for air. He immediatly collapsed.
"Shit! We gotta get him out of here!"
No dip Sherman.
