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.

video

[so_dark_a_road]

Pleased to meet you, Seel har Parasiel. [ The formality is very First Age Elf. Acknowledge a person by their family or clan name when you first greet them. One of the habits he has never given up, even though he has learned a more casual style since he's been away from his own world. ] It sounds as though you are very experienced indeed.

I'm at the workshop even as we speak, if you'd like to visit now. It's in the southeast part of the city. If you're coming from the city center, you walk past Confusion's temple and follow the river down past the southernmost bridge. The forge and carpentry buildings are right between the woods and the water. There's a sign hanging off the forge shack's door lintel: "Curufin & Celebrimbor's forge." You can't miss it.

Re: video

[dreamsallotted]

[The formality was one Seel appreciated. While he had started out in life a wildchild, he'd been forcibly tamed and neutered into something more conservative and respectable.]

Pleased to meet your acquaintance. You seem like someone who isn't content to get by. I'm sure this place could use more people like you. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and detail you've obviously put into this.
I'll see you shortly.

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.

Private

[so_dark_a_road]

[ With sincerity. ] I'm glad you approve. [ But a Finwean's growth always manifests ironically. XD ]

I'm sure you can. I did. [ Smile. ] And there will be more yet to learn, as we will need the highest level of technology available.

Private

[utulien_aure]

I'm glad you thought of it; Hadriel could use a fire brigade. Particularly as there's no place for us to run if a fire gets out of hand. [As true products of Arda Marred should.]

Well, now that you've put it that way I can hardly fail. [a faint grin.] How much technology do you expect to have?

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?

Private

[so_dark_a_road]

Oh yes! I've often thought of what a bad situation we could be in, with a widespread fire. Our very own miniature Dagor Bragollach. [ As they should indeed! ]

Nope, you won't fail. [ He grins back. ] At the worst, we'll have a pumping station by the river and a big water tank inside the fire truck, to which pressure hoses can be attached. Then we'll have to drive back and forth to refill the tank every time we empty it. But if we're lucky, we'll be able to dig down into the ground and locate the water pipes that carry water to our houses, and attach other, vertical pipes to them, with pressure valves accessible from ground level. Then in the event of a fire, we'll simply screw the hoses into the hydrants and turn them on.

We haven't got horses to pull the fire truck, and anyway, I couldn't see subjecting a horse to the proximity of fire. Even our Elf-horses didn't like it, as I recall. Steam engine, maybe, as a fallback plan. But my first choice would be to reverse-engineer one of those electric mopeds and build the truck engine on the same principle. [ Curufin the artificer. He's looking excited. ]

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.

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.

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. ]

[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.]

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?

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?

[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 --> action

[so_dark_a_road]

I hoped you might be pleased. [ No matter he's an adult, he still wants his brother's approval, and he always will. ] And I hope that is the truth you are telling me, about doing well enough. [ Another smile of fondness. ] I guess I'd better come and check up on you.

[ He hears that tone in Maglor's voice and it goes straight to his heart. ] We did that for a reason, brother! You're better at taking care of others than at taking care of yourself. [ And he's not the only one in this family who has that character trait, Curvo! ]

[ He puts down his project and hustles across the city to Delight's housing and taps on the door of the bedroom Mags is occupying. ] It's me!

action

[bythewaves]

I am. [ He smiles at him ]

Mostly well.

[ He smiles at Curufin when he arrives, reaching to fall into his arms, still so uncertain that this is real ]

Oh my brother!

Private

[utulien_aure]

[Fingon tenses slightly at those memories.] Agreed. All things considered, if we must relive a battle from home, I think we should try for the Aglareb.

[Fingon listens intently, nodding along as Curufin describes it. Engineering is never going to be his field of interest, but he can certainly follow along with the explanation.] Is there a viable alternative if the system of pipes happens to fail? Given the city's unpredictability we might want to have at least a few possibilities planned out, if we can.

This would be a terrible place for a horse, even without that problem. [Tremendously regretful at that; Fingon misses riding.] And, apparently, it would deprive you of some fun. Do you have one to take apart?

video

[so_dark_a_road]

Thank you, and you're right, I'm not content to just get by. I'm always restless, always thinking up new things to do. And now that I have a modicum of sanity -- a thing I really did not have in my own world -- I am free to use my energies for the benefit of all. And honored to be able to do so.

I am guessing you are the same sort of person.

And I'll see you when you get here!

Private

[so_dark_a_road]

I could not agree more!

That's one of the reasons I want a pumping station and a water tank for the truck. In case we can't get to the pipes at all, or in case we do but one day they fail. You are right, we need always to be thinking of alternative possibilities, and always to have backup systems.

[ He misses riding, too. ] It would be an AWFUL place for a horse! Remember when we practically lived on horseback? Those were the days. But I would not want to inflict this place on Gwath. [ Shade, Curufin's favorite horse -- the one Beren confiscated from him. ]

[ He chuckles. ] You're right about the fun. I, ah, have a moped here in my workshop. [ He stole it. It's halfway disassembled. ] Yes, I have to take it apart. That's the only way I will be able to determine how it works, and how to re-create its parts. I expect to get some help, though.