Report From Engine Co. 82 - Dennis Smith [20]
One hundred and twenty people have been arrested at an anti-war rally. Jim says, “You know, the way I figure it, it’s just that times have changed. I would have been madder than hell if they had protested the Korean War the way they do this one. And we were fightin' for the same thing. Right? Most of these protesters are in college just to keep out of the Army, anyway. And they talk about democracy and equality. If they took away the college deferment, and made the draft equal, then they would have a reason to protest. But you never hear them yelling about that.”
The department telephone rings—three distinct rings in quick succession. We know from the signal that it won’t be a false alarm. Someone has called the department, and they are relaying the information. Vinny chalks on the blackboard: “1284 Fox, apt. 30.” The pumper is in the street in less than thirty seconds. It is only two blocks up Intervale Avenue to the address, and on the way I suddenly remember hearing that Jim has a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, but I never heard him mention either of them.
We can smell burning wood and plaster in the air. We all know that Ladder 31 and Ladder 712 are at other alarms, and it will take a few minutes for another ladder company to get here.
As we turn the corner we see smoke coming from two windows on the third floor. Vinny says, “I’ll take the ax and a claw tool,” then yells to Benny, “Take the hook and water can.” Benny nods as he puts on his gloves. Luckily, the fire is only on the third floor. Jim, Carmine, and I can handle the hose work while Benny and Vinny do what a ladder company is supposed to.
The pumper stops in front of the building. Captain Alber-gray yells out, “Five lengths, inch-and-a-half,” and then runs into the building. Benny and Vinny follow right behind. Jim takes the nozzle in his left hand, and puts his right hand through three folds of inch-and-a-half hose, one fifty-foot length. I take a length as Jim steps down, and Carmine takes another length. Carmine lays his folds on the ground, and pulls off two more lengths of hose. Jim yells to Bill, “Take off,” and the pumper moves to the hydrant, the coupled hose dropping off behind it.
The stairs are crowded with excited people. We tell them to watch the hose as they go down. We reach the third floor with two lengths to spare. Carmine flakes it out down a long hall. We pull our boots up to our thighs. Captain Albergray comes out of the apartment, and the smoke billows out with him. “We met the lady who lives here on the way up,” he says. “She had two kids with her and said the place was empty. Benny and Vinny are in there searchin' anyhow.”
Vinny comes out with mucus running from his nose. He wipes it off with his glove, and says, “Listen Jim, the fire is at the end of a long hall. Make a left at the end, and it’s the first two rooms.”
We are all bending low now because the smoke is starting to bank down. Benny comes out of the apartment on all fours. He asks, “Did a truck company get here yet?”
“No,” Captain Albergray says. “You better go up and get the roof.” As Benny leaves to ventilate the smoke and heat at the top of the building we can hear the water running through the hose.
The fire has already broken the glass in the front two rooms. The heat will be able to escape, but Captain Albergray tells Carmine to get a mask, just in case. We have to put the fire out fast, before it extends to the floor above. We are on our hands and knees as we hump the hose forward. We keep our heads as close to the floor as possible. It is sooty as hell, and the smoke has filled the hall. It’s tough pushing in, but we get to the end of the hall and see the vague red glow to the left. The heat hits us full for the first time.