Drive truck, pull hose, withstand extreme heat, meet the devil face to face and not be frightened

[so_dark_a_road]

I have a project in mind. We have a city guard and a city clinic, and I was thinking we need some city firefighters, too. Then we'll have a trio of emergency services.

[ He's had it in mind since the ceiling of Guard HQ fell in on him while the building was burning at the end of the Doubles event. But also, there was talk of other incendiary incidents -- such as the one Sato was involved in? And Curufin himself had, erm, something to do with a few of the Colosseum walls being demolished by explosives while he was under the influence of Rage. And then there was the tragic demise of Delight's Bar. ]

In Hadriel, we are not strangers to the dangers of fire. Moreover, we could potentially see worse events than those that have occurred so far. And yet, here we are with no better ideas for dealing with fire than the traditional bucket brigade, and we have no real organization even for that!

So, I propose that we organize, recruit, build our own equipment, and train ourselves. I would welcome volunteers, ideas, and expertise. We will need people who will be firefighters, and we will also need people who will work in a support capacity (fire engine drivers, mechanics, electricians, and anything else we can think of).

If you would like to take insane risks, and don't mind ending up as toast, or at least dealing with a fair number of ouchies on a regular basis fight fires, or if you would prefer to work in a support role, then you are welcome to join the Hadriel Fire Brigade!

Respond here if you have questions, comments, or want to volunteer. (Or hit me up at my voicemail.)

Comments

[dreamsallotted]

I have experience with a variety of different kinds of construction. I'd can take a look at what you have so far and work up some drawings and necessary materials for buildings and equipment.

video

[so_dark_a_road]

Thank you! I will show you the plans I have so far. You can come to my workshop if you like, or we can meet elsewhere. I too have construction experience, but it is mostly not what you might call modern. [ In his world, most of what he did was the equivalent of 10th century installations -- stone castles, wooden forts, houses, bridges, that sort of thing. He will be very pleased to have a knowledgeable collaborator. ]

We have not met. I am Curufin Fëanorion.

Re: video

[dreamsallotted]

Seel har Parasiel. I have experience with both modern and.....less modern means of construction. My world experienced a disaster on a global scale. I helped to pick up some of the pieces.

I can come by your workshop.

Private

[utulien_aure]

I cannot entirely believe I'm hearing this.

[It's almost funny, in a black as char sort of way.]

Private

[so_dark_a_road]

I suppose not. [ Very sarcastic, though not unfriendly. ]

[ Curufin can appreciate black-as-char humor. ]

Want to sign up?

Private

[utulien_aure]

It is a fine idea. [He just wasn't expecting Curufin's growth as a person to manifest so ironically.]

Why not? I don't know how to use the technology, mind, but I suppose I can learn.

video or maybe action, depends on how attached Curufin is XD

[bythewaves]

My brother, putting out fires.

[ He's tired and worn, but the fever flush is gone from his face and his eyes are clear ]

video --> action? You decide. XDD

[so_dark_a_road]

[ A laugh, a big brilliant smile of affection. Very glad to see Mags looking better than he was when he arrived! ]

Yes, isn't it strange?

How are you doing, Maglor? And where are you now? Shall I come to you?

both? but yes that works

[bythewaves]

Strange, but not unwelcome. I do well enough, I suppose

At home. [ Amusement colours his voice, and something a little lost, a little confused ] Where you and Maedhros put me to bed and insisted I stay there.

action

[so_dark_a_road]

And yet, Galadriel went back.

[ She committed no Kinslayings, but yet she must have fallen under the Ban, because she was a leader in the host of Finarfin, departing against the will of the Valar. ]

There was forgiveness for her, but not for you, who nurtured the sons of Elwing and Earendil until they were grown? I know the story, but still, you had your part in their greatness.

voice;

[hotspurred]

Inform me of which guardsmen join your... fire fighters, as you name them. When crises befall us I need to be aware of whom among our number will be battling flames.

[There is a pause, then Henry adds thoughtfully:]

...Perhaps you might speak to Chris about a program for your phones. One that allows your fighters to know precisely where the fire is. 'Twas he who made the Guard's emergency app.

voice

[so_dark_a_road]

So far, just Fingon. And I should have spoken of this idea to you before I launched it, because of course it affects the Guard.

I was thinking I will add a line to the firefighters' duties, as regards communicating with the Guard immediately when a fire is detected, since it is possible that a law enforcement response may be needed as well.

And thank you for the suggestion, I will talk to Chris. That would be very useful indeed! -- for all the firefighters to be able to look at their phones and see instantly where the fire is located. Perhaps we should have the app send that information automatically to all firefighters and all guardsman as well, if that is agreeable to you?

[hotspurred]

You would name it "law enforcement" when there are no laws to be enforced?

[He remarks dryly — they are a garrison, not sheriffs — before moving onto business.]

I agree it would be wise. Yet that can be dealt with after such a thing is made. Before aught else you should complete your foundation.

audio

[unitas]

Or you could ask for a resident pyrokinetic to take care of it. [ The way she sounds, it's almost entirely dismissive of his idea. I'm sorry. She's not. ]

audio

[so_dark_a_road]

Pyrokinetic? [ Interested, and not at all put off by the tone. He gives people the benefit of the doubt. ] The word implies a person who can control the element of fire. I know someone who can use her energies to set fires, but I guess you mean someone who can command fire to subside? Are there such people in Hadriel?

audio

[unitas]

As a pyrokinetic, as long as you've got control, you could make the fire do anything. March it's way to the river, dissipate it to small patches to allow 'firefighters' to feel like they're useful in a place where fire is probably the last thing most give a real shit about.

[Video--Private]

[lifetothefullest]

This is a really good idea; a fire in this place would be a serious problem.

[He hasn't even really thought about it before, though now he's definitely concerned; their only really large water sources are the lake and the river, and in an enclosed space--even one as large as Hadriel--there's an issue of air quality and even the fire potentially burning through their oxygen, if it's large enough.

He's all about avoiding any of that. Still, it's not his main reason for responding to this post.]

I also wanted to ask how you're doing, after last month.

[And everything that happened. He's not even sure what Curufin's eventually decision was, but whatever it was it couldn't have been easy.]

[Video--Private]

[so_dark_a_road]

It seriously would!

And thank you, Dr. Sweets, I am doing better. I don't think anything that has happened at Hadriel has drained me as much as my dead relatives appearing. Except for my live relatives dying. And Yukari dying, many months ago.

Finrod told me he had spoken with you, and he asked me to give you a message. He said to thank you again and tell you that it will all be all right. I didn't know what he meant by that last phrase until he killed himself. I couldn't kill him, couldn't be responsible for his death again, even though I knew it would hurt others if I did nothing and died instead of him. He took matters into his own hands. Stepped into the shed that contained my explosives cache and dropped a match.

[ There's an odd look on Curufin's face, compounded of sorrow and humor. In Fingon's very dry and tart style, this would be "black as char" humor. In this case, literally. ]

[Video--Private]

[lifetothefullest]

[Sorry, just... Give Lance a moment, that's a lot of stuff to process at once. He's presuming the seemingly cavalier way of explaining what happened is just Curufin's way of dealing with everything, so that doesn't exactly bother him, and he knew of course that things would end with either Finrod dying or both Finrod and Curufin doing so. But even still, hearing what exactly happened hits him hard emotionally with a mix of sadness and frustration and guilt.

He knows it's not his fault, and there was no good outcome, and this whole situation is a lot harder on Curufin and the rest of his family, but he still wishes he could've done something more.]

I'm-

[His voice breaks, which isn't entirely uncommon especially when he's upset about something, and it's been happening more since his injury as well. But he tries again almost immediately, and manages to get through a sentence.]

I'm sorry about everything that happened.

[Personally, and in general in terms of condolences.]

[audio]

[onlyanautomaton]

I think it is an excellent idea. I would be glad to offer my services as a driver, and I might be able to double as a mechanic, given enough instruction.

[audio]

[so_dark_a_road]

I will very happily accept. And as for building and maintaining the vehicles, we will all be learning as we go. Those of us who have mechanical skills at any level can both learn and teach.

You are. . . [ looks at the caller ID on the phone ] . . . Oscar? Pleased to meet you! I am Curufin.

[hasadoctorsnote]

If you need someone to get people out of a burning building in an emergency, I can probably help with that.

[so_dark_a_road]

I will be very glad to take you up on your offer. It is not everyone who will run into a fire to save a life!

[ Looks at the caller's ID ] Nico di Angleo, is it? Pleased to meet you! Do you have any questions about the job?

[farmboyjedi]

This is something I'm definitely curious about. I could use my abilities to help in quite a few different ways. I would probably be able to help with rescues if it were needed, but I'm also good with machines and electronics, so I could help that way.

[so_dark_a_road]

I will take you up on that, if you're offering. [ Smile ]

We will certainly need more people who are good with machines. We will have to build our own fire engines, and a pump at the river. We were planning on reverse-engineering one of the mopeds from the moped lot, so that we could make the trucks electric. I myself have experience with machines, but I am not nearly as savvy about modern electronics as I'd like to be. I'll have to learn from others. I'd be pleased to learn from you.

And you're okay with running into a burning building to get a person out?