Fire Brigade practice -- joint exercises with the Brigade and the Guard

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin's face appears for a few moments in the frame. He grins. ]

Welcome to the Hadriel Fire Brigade and City Guard joint training exercises! This will be the first event of its kind, and we expect to have more them in the future. All are welcome! -- Brigade members, Guard members, and any Hadriel citizen who is interested in joining the Brigade. But you don't have to promise to join in order to take part. You are welcome if you are merely considering it, or simply interested in learning more about how to deal with a fire. You may also ask questions via the network, if you are not able to make it to this event but want to talk to somebody about the Fire Brigade and its functions.

[ He starts panning his phone camera around to show all the activities that are taking place along the north shore of the reservoir and nearby. ]

As you can see, we have built two fire engines, and we are giving the participants a chance to learn how to handle them. The first is a ladder truck and the second is a tanker truck.

[ The ladder truck is tearing around the curves of the nearest road, it's driver and riders whooping and screeching with glee. You can hear them all the way to the spot where Curufin is standing. ]

As you can see, the tanker truck is parked and we are practicing putting out a fire.

[ The tanker truck is parked beside a large wooden shack that the participants put up last week, and have now set on fire. Glowing orange and yellow flames sweep upwards from its roof. Unlike modern fire engines, this one contains its own water tank, since the firefighters do not (yet) have access to the city's water mains. The firefighters have already attached the hoses to the tank and opened up the valves and are trying to douse the flames. ]

And over there, we're running some practice scenarios that involve rescuing people from a burning building.

[ The view shifts to the disused, unoccupied spire next to Spire Two. People are running multiple flights of stairs, huffing and panting, with laughter and curses. They then descend, lugging the rescued "victims," carrying them on their shoulders. A group of people outside are waiting their turn to run up multiple flights of stairs to rescue either an actual person who has volunteered to be the rescuee or. . . a store dummy. They have a number of these doll-like objects on the lawn, and people have to carry them back up again periodically, as they run out of them upstairs in the spire. Good exercise for your calf muscles, that's for sure! -- whether you're carrying the dummy or one of your actual buddies. ]

And over there, we have a little tailoring operation set up. We're all going to need protective gear, including fire-resistant clothing, and there is a logbook for you all to put your names, sizes and measurements down. Somebody will be there to help you take your measurements if you don't know them.

[ Shot of a table with book, pencils and pens, tape measure, and cheerful helper. ]

And last but not least, here's our pumping station on the riverbank, where we get the water to fill the tanker truck's tank. There, also, is the building we are currently using to house the fire engines, and in which we are also building a second tanker trunk.

[ View of the waterworks building on the edge of the reservoir. You can't see the machinery inside, but you can see an open bay on the side away from the river, where the firefighters must park the tanker truck and screw the hoses into the apparatus inside and activate the pumping mechanism in order to draw up water from the reservoir and fill the truck tank. The second tanker truck, which is still being built, is parked outside of the firehouse. Around it are scattered tools and equipment, and people are working on it.]

And here's everybody's favorite activity -- the lunch table! As I said, everybody's welcome, including those who are just looking for a square meal at the moment.

[ View of the buffet table, which is really loaded. On it is also a stack of brochures with a description of the Fire Brigade and how to sign up. Somebody who can answer questions will be there as well. ]

If you're here in person, have fun and don't break a leg! But if you do, the first aid station is over there. [ Pan to another area by the water, where a table with first aid supplies is found, and somebody who can help. ]

If you just want to make inquiries or comments by phone, that's okay, too. I or another firefighter will reply.

Enjoy, everybody! And learn something new.

[ OOC: Feel free to post your character into any of these scenarios, or make up one of your own. Put something in the subject line to indicate which scenario it is. Examples: driving the firetruck, putting out fires, rescue operations, protective clothing tailoring, pumping station & machinery maintenance, building the second tanker truck, lunch table, first aid station. Or, like Curufin says, it's okay to talk to the firefighters by video or text. This is also a mingler, a free-for-all, so tag around if you like. The purpose of this net post is for the firefighters and Guard members to get together so that they'll all be on the same page when the real fire occurs, and for the firefighters (and Guard members, and interested parties) to do some rehearsing of their skills.

If you want to sign your character up to be a member of the Fire Brigade, you can go directly to this site, where there is information about the firefighters. The signup sheet is on this page. If you have any OOC questions to ask, contact Haze at tangyminx or PM me at so_dark_a_road. (I'm logged into Curufin's journal every day, so I'll get your message quickly.)

In case you haven't seen Hadriel's September Rundown, the mods have planned to BURN UP PART OF THE CITY on September 14. So now is a good time to join the Brigade! Or for that matter, the Guard. And because that is happening so soon, feel free to just post your characters in here with short threads or single comments. There'll be plenty of firefighting "for real" in just five days! ]

Comments

[bythewaves]

He is here because his brothers are here, although he mostly stays far away from the fire.

Mostly, he's by the First Aid Station, watching and keeping Elrond company, although he knows enough to be put to use, if any injuries do rock up. He actually started off down by the Pumping Station, eyeing the equipment curiously - he has his own way of working with water, although he hasn't tried to see if it will answer to his songs, here. He does, at one point, participate in the 'Rescue', too, but there's something about him, that close to fire (He doesn't flinch, or hesitate, but there's something about him that speaks of fear, or grief, maybe). Anyone watching him close enough might see him snuff small flames that come too close with a Song, however.

[castintofire]

Where Maglor went, Maedhros would follow, keeping his brother company even when they fought flames. He wouldn't let his family face it alone ever again. Eventually he'd snag his brother and guide the way to the food. "We should eat, Kano."

[bythewaves]

"I'm not hungry?" He objects, but he follows docilely, clearly happy to have Maedhros near.

[castintofire]

"We never are," Maedhros retorted equably. "You know the others would fuss if they saw us not eat." He grinned at his brother then. "Perhaps I should let them?"

[bythewaves]

Maglor rolls his eyes at him.

"Only if you let them worry at you too! Alright, alright..."

[castintofire]

A quiet chuckle and Maedhros held onto his brother's hand until they reached the table. Even then he only let go to fill two plates of food.

"If it will make you feel better, I will."

[bythewaves]

Maglor stays close, too many memories roused from sleep.

"It will, and you know it, Nelyo."

He smiles in thanks and accpets the plate, tugging them both to a quiet corner where they can sit and eat.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin has been watching his brother. He sees him snuff the flames with Song, and he lopes up to him with a grin on his face. "I saw that!" he exclaims, in a teasing voice. "There are some people with strange powers in Hadriel, but I think you must be the only one who can sing a flame to sleep!"

[bythewaves]

Maglor smiles at his brother, eyes still and watchful of the flames.

"The only one here? I hardly think so. Between you and Celebrimbor, are you telling me two forge-masters cannot bend flames to your will?"

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin sees that watchful look. Maglor has an ambivalent relationship with fire. Curufin remembers what he said in their subliminal conversation during that strange little interlude when they thought they were living in that comfy little town.

But he laughs. "We can bend iron; we can practically shape it with our minds alone! But I've never thought of it in terms of bending flames! Maybe I ought to try?" And he wriggles his eyebrows and then casts the fire a ferocious look, as though he were sourly commanding it to behave itself. The fires just goes on being a fire. Curufn makes a pouting face, and then grins at his brother.

[bythewaves]

Maglor may or may not - he's always been good at hiding what he's thinking.

"You aren't even trying." Maglor says fondly. "You know as well as I do that it requires more than just a glare."

[so_dark_a_road]

Indeed he is. And he's good at hiding the fact that he's hiding something. Even from himself. But crafty Curufin will ferret out his brother's thoughts! -- sometimes in sneaky ways.

"You're right, I wasn't." He laughs. "Maybe I should try a still more ferocious glare?" And he turns and stares again at the fire. This time his eyes begin to glitter like hematite stones, as he raises the power up through his body, just as though he were about to strike at an enemy with his sword. This time, the fire seems to crouch back a little, as though it had become uncertain. "Oh come on!" exclaims Curufin, breaking into a mock-frown. He mutters to the fire: "You're a hard sell!"

[bythewaves]

...Why must his family be full of people who like to make him face his issues...

Maglor laughs.

"Now, now. You can't order fire. You have to convince!"

[so_dark_a_road]

It's because they love you, Mags!

Curufin folds his arms and furrows his brow in perplexity. "Convince, eh? What do you think I should say to the flames to persuade them to retreat?" Grin. "Open to suggestions from the Master Bard!"

[bythewaves]

BUT HE IS USED TO HIS ISSUES!

Maglor snorts at him, amused. "Well, that or apply the opposite. Surely you haven't forgotten your childhood lessons? Fire needs a firm hand, but you can only divert, or snuff, not command. Rather than cow it, point it in a different direction!"

[so_dark_a_road]

THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR. AND FAMILY. PEOPLE TO MAKE YOU FACE YOUR ISSUES. (Of course you can always retaliate by making them face theirs!)

Curufin chuckles, remembering those childhood days, when lessons about common things that were a normal part of life were often framed as rhymes or songs.

He looks back at the fire and suggests to it, "Go back the other way!" He points towards the back of the shed, the direction from which the fire had come, since that was where the firefighters had dropped the torch.

The fire seems to hesitate, and then. . . OMG, the flames pick up their orange and yellow skirts and start to tiptoe to the rear. Curufin is astonished!

[bythewaves]

BAH HUMBUG

(but retaliation does sound fun)

Maglor laughs softly.

"There you go. I see you haven't forgotten everything."

[so_dark_a_road]

*BREAKS INTO AN OVER-THE-TOP MAUDLIN RENDITION OF STAND BY ME, not anywhere as good as the original*

(Fëanorians are big on retaliation. And good at it. XD )

He laughs too. "I never forget anything. And neither do you."

[bythewaves]

NUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

(They made a career out of it!)

"I am a bard - that's my job, Curvo." Maglor smiles at him fondly. "Although I wouldn't want to try anything like that on a large fire."

[so_dark_a_road]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEES

(They did! They should post themselves on LinkedIn.)

"Of course. You are obligated to retain the whole history of our people in your bardic memory. Or else the other bards will tease you."

He laughs and looks at his brother with equal fondness. "I somehow think that a larger fire would be better defended against a couple of Noldorin Elves, whether bards or forge-masters!"

[bythewaves]

NUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

("Good at obsessing over things")

Maglor pokes him fondly. "It's part of the training, as you know full well! And yes, I imagine so."

[so_dark_a_road]

YEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS, WE ARE LOVING RELATIVES. WE STAND BY YOU, EVEN IF IT DRIVES YOU CRAZY. XD

(*gasp* Really? What a surprise!!!!)

Curufin grins and pokes him back. "Or course I know. I was there when you were a bard-in-training. But even if some big meanie of a fire were to challenge us, I imagine we'd give it a run for its money."

[bythewaves]

HE WANTS A LESS WORRIED FAMILY XD

"'Big Meanie'?" Maglor lifts an eyebrow and laughs.

"Really, is that the best you can come up with, O Curufin the Crafty?"

[so_dark_a_road]

TRY VISITING THE SECOND-HAND STORE? XDD

Curufin laughs too. "Curufin the Crafty was reverting to the language of his childhood. Remember?"

[bythewaves]

Maglor ruffles his hair.

"Then shall I treat him as if he were that child again?"