New Family (Onechicago) (RE-WRITE)

Chapter 4- Tough Call

Chapter 4 – Tough Call
It was just another normal day...until the unthinkable happened. Being a firefighter isn't easy. You see and deal with things that push you to the limits and bring you to breaking point. The only way to keep going. To keep functioning is to let those around you support you. Help you. But most importantly you have to keep your personal life away from the job. And your job away from your personal life. When these things collide, they can have catastrophic consequences.

"Ambulance 61 & 67, Truck 81, Squad 3, Battalion 25 –Warehouse Structure Fire 2298 King's Cross Drive – House 63 Assisting – know squatter area"
The claxon sounds, alerting those at 51 to a new call out. Everyone rushes from what they were doing to load up and start the journey to the location.
Even from a few blocks away, the smoke and fire could be seen, bellowing out of the warehouse. As the firefighters arrived on scene, Chief Boden was quick to send in his men to do a primary search. Shortly after, truck 88 from house 63 (made up 😉) arrive on scene. Chief Boden is also quick to send them in to clear the building due to the size of building and the pace of the fire they didn't have long. The ambulances deal with some of the lucky people who have mad it out of the building. Overall there's only around 10 people – all of who are only suffering with minor cuts or cuts or smoke inhalation.

The minute the smoke started getting darker and the windows started to crack, was the minute Chief gave the order.
"That's it! Everyone out...times up!" He calls into the radio, alerting the firefighters inside of the circumstances.
"Copy Chief, Squad coming out" Sevride radios in, shortly followed by Captain Casey.
"Copy" As everyone starts to come out, it's clear that there was no-one inside the building. After most of the firefighter have come out, there are still one member from 63 missing.
"Chief...give me 2 minutes, please! I can't leave Morris in there!" Tim Howells says, begging Chief to let him go rescue his colleague.
"No! The buildings coming down" Chief says, seeing that the smoke has turned black and the fire has engulfed the entire building.
"Chief..." Howells says, moving towards the building. Severide, Casey and a few others stop him in his path, understanding the tough call that Chief is making.
"NO! I'm not risking anymore men. It's too dangerous...switch on the water cannons" He says the last bit over the radio, alerting the others that they can deal with the fire. Howells removes his gear and walk away to behind his truck.

An hour later...
"Fires out Chief" Casey says, walking over to Boden, having finally managed to get the fire out.
"Okay, send in a team...get Morris out" Chief says, knowing all to well that he is most certainly dead.
Howells rushes to get ready once he hears that they can go back into the building. A group of 4 men go into the building.
"We've go him..." Howells radios out. Everyone else lines up in two lines to give Morris what he deserves. As they carry him out in the basket, Chief gives the command, and everyone raises their arms and salutes. Morris is carried down the centre of the two lines and is placed into Ambulance 67 which is at then end. Howells climbs in behind him before Chase and Riley drive away, taking Morris to the hospital to follow the proper guidelines.
"Fall out" Chief orders, allowing everyone to move away and start packing away the gear as well as checking the safety of the building.

A few days later and it the funeral of Morris. As everyone at 51 is still on duty, they decide to do a drive by to the funeral and stand at the back. With everyone in their turnout gear they drive to the cemetery. They turn on their lights once they arrive, but leave their siren off. Everyone climbs out of their vehicles and stands at the back, watching as Morris is lowered into the ground. AT the end of the ceremony, Morris' wife, Amelia, walks up to Chief Boden.
"Are you Chief Boden?" She asks, fighting back the tears.
"Yes Mam, I am" He replies gently.
"Thank You...for doing your job. David wouldn't have wanted anyone else getting hurt to save him..." She says, struggling to hold in her emotions. Chief Boden just nods, not knowing how to respond to her. He hugs Amelia before she leaves with her son and brother.
"You good Chief?" Chase asks, patting Chief's shoulder.
"Yeah. 51 – lets roll" He says, walking back to his car and driving off as everyone walks back to their vehicles.

"Let's send a boot or two round tonight at Molly's. Show our support to Morris' family" Hermann says, as everyone returns to the firehouse and changes into their street clothes as their shifts are over. Everyone agrees and says they'll defiantly be at Molly's tonight.

A few hours later and Molly's is packed with everyone from 51 & 63 as well as those from the district and med. A lot of money is raised for Morris' family, meaning that they will have the support they need to get through this tough time without having to worry about money.

Being a firefighter isn't easy, but in a way- that helps to motivate those who do the job. It pushes them to work hard, and get the job done. To help those in need and be their for their community.