Snow Daze
"Chet, how many times must you sing '100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall'?" Hank Stanley asked. He was driving the Station 51 A-shift from a the Firefighter's Olympics in Chicago. They were headed west for the next stop in Des Moines, Iowa, on Interstate 80.
"I thought it was a great song," Chet Kelly answered.
"Do you want to die before we get into Iowa?" Cap asked.
"Not really, Cap," Chet responded.
"Then shut up you twit!" Cap ordered.
"Man, my singing didn't even wake up Gage. I guess we should sing even louder," Chet said, pulling a stuffed animal from his pocket and handing it to Roy DeSoto.
"Thanks, Chet. I was looking for that. It's for Jennifer, who has a big collection of stuffed animals. It's her latest hobby," Roy responded as the van crossed into Iowa on the Fred Schwengel bridge.
"Who would name a bridge Fred?" Chet pondered.
Johnny woke up from his nap.
"I just had a nightmare that Chet was a major rock star and was singing a disco version of '100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall'," Johnny mumbled.
"It actually happened," Roy told his partner.
"Iowa, you make me smile!" Marco Lopez read the sign on the bridge out loud.
"Whoa, Cap, I see a car off the road up ahead," Mike Stoker remarked.
"Marco, you take the fire extinguisher and Chet, disconnect the battery cable. Roy, try to find the first aid kit and check for victims with Johnny," Cap told the vanload as they pulled up to the car in the ditch.
While the men were checking out the car, Cap got on the CB and called for help. Mike woke Johnny and Marco put out the small fire that started.
"Cap, there are two people in the car. We need a crowbar to opened the door," Roy yelled.
Mike fished out a crowbar from the luggage in the back of the van and ran it down to Roy while stepping over beer cans.
"The steering wheel is pinning the driver. We need the Jaws of Life," Johnny yelled.
The LeClaire Volunteer Fire Department pulled up behind the van.
"Are you the one who placed the CB call?" LeClaire Fire Chief Terry Rossmiller asked Cap.
"Yes, sir. We are firemen from Los Angeles and we will assist your men," Cap answered.
"Harvey, get an inch-and-a-half on that car!" Chief Rossmiller ordered.
"The driver's pinned by the steering wheel," Cap told the chief.
"Norm, get the Jaws of Life!" the chief yelled.
As Harvey Phillips and Norm Meinert made their way to the wreck, Roy and Johnny tried to help the occupants of the car.
"What do you have here?" Norm asked Roy.
"The female passenger has a possible skull fracture and a broken arm, and the male driver is really pinned in, so we haven't been able to assess his condition," Roy told Norm.
"Terry, we're gonna need two ambulances," Norm said over his handie-talkie.
"Where's your first aid kit?" Johnny asked Norm.
"In the truck. Grab a couple of blankets while you're up there, too," Norm told Johnny.
As Johnny grabbed the supplies from the truck, the Iowa State Patrol arrived.
"I smelled alcohol on the driver and saw several beer cans in the car," Johnny told Trooper Gene Orth.
After two hours, the crew from Station 51 and the LeClaire Fire Department extricated the victims from the accident.
"We'll be taking them to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment. You are all honorary members of the LeClaire Volunteer Fire Department," Chief Rossmiller told the crew.
"Do you know where we might find a motel?" Cap asked the chief.
"Good thing you asked. There is a blizzard heading this way. The interstate is closed from Des Moines to Omaha," Chief Rossmiller said. "There are several motels ten miles ahead," he added.
"Gentlemen, we are officially snowed in. After we check into the motel, we are calling our families," Cap said.
"I don't remember the last time I saw snow," Chet mused.
Johnny then threw a snowball at Chet.
"Now you got an up close and personal look at snow," Johnny joked.
"I have seen snow before," Chet retorted.
"Eek, the abominable snowman!" Marco joked.
###
As the six men pulled into the Davenport Holiday Inn, they decided who would be roommates.
"Johnny snores too loud," Chet complained.
"Shut up, Chet. At least I don't sing commercial jingles in my sleep," Johnny retorted.
"Plop, plop, fizz, fizz..." Chet started singing.
"Call me if he starts singing show tunes," Roy said.
"I'll stay with our singer," Marco said.
"Well, Junior, it looks like we're sharing a room," Roy said to Johnny.
"Right, pally," Johnny answered.
"I have to call JoAnne and tell her what's going on," Roy said.
"Well, Mike, I guess we're roommates," Cap said.
"Yep," Mike said.
"Let's get a room with two beds," Roy suggested.
"Ouch, that hurt!" Johnny exclaimed in mock dejection.
"I don't think JoAnne would appreciate us sleeping in the same bed," Roy joked, grabbing his suitcase.
All the men settled in their rooms, which were not next to each other. Roy and Johnny were on the first floor, while Chet and Marco were on the second floor, five doors down from Cap and Mike.
###
Chet and Marco hauled their suitcases into their room. Marco turned on the television, just in time for the sports report.
"I wonder how the Rams did today," Marco said.
"The Chicago Bears thumped the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field this afternoon by the score of 42-7..." the announcer Thom Cornelius said.
"Let's get to the pool, man," Chet told Marco.
"The score will be in the paper tomorrow anyway," Marco said.
Chet then pulled out his Speedo bikini trunks out of his suitcase.
"Are you really going to wear those?" Marco asked.
"Sure. Do you really expect me go swimming in jeans?" Chet asked.
"As soon as I get my suit out," Marco said.
Marco takes his suit out, which happens to be the same style as Chet's.
"I guess we shopped at the same place," Marco said, holding his trunks up.
"Let's go," Chet said to Marco.
As Chet and Marco approached the pool, they heard a woman crying for help.
"My daughter is at the bottom of the pool! She can't swim!" the panic stricken mother yelled.
Chet lunged into the pool and rescued the little girl. Chet noticed that the girl was not breathing, so he gave the girl to Marco. Marco then started CPR while Chet called for an ambulance.
"The ambulance's ETA is twenty minutes because of the snowstorm," Chet told Marco.
"I got her breathing, Chet," Marco said relieved.
Twenty minutes later, the ambulance arrived to take the girl to Mercy Hospital for treatment.
"I don't know how to thank the two of you. She's means everything to me," the mother said.
"Glad to be of help," Chet said.
"What do you do for a living?" she asked.
"We are firemen in Los Angeles County," Marco said.
She then kissed Chet and Marco on their cheeks.
Johnny then came into the pool area with his camera.
"What's going on here?" Johnny asked.
"A little girl almost drowned," Chet replied.
After Johnny helped the EMTs load the victim on the ambulance, he returned to the poolside.
"What do you think you're gonna do with that camera, Gage?" Chet asked.
"I thought I would take a picture of the snow, and possibly some candid shots," Johnny replied.
"Just make sure Chet doesn't get a hold of your camera," Marco advised.
"I remember the last time Chet got a hold of the camera," Johnny said.
"The Chief gave me a commendation for that photo. The plaque and photo are hanging in my living room," Chet said proudly.
###
"The Illinois State Patrol advises people not travel tonight because of the poor conditions..." Jim King said on the television in Roy and Johnny's room as Roy turned off the television.
Roy's stomach started growling, so he grabbed his coat from the hanger. He remembered that there was a Hardee's next door.
As Roy walked out the motel hall door, a gust of wind nearly knocked him off his feet. Because of the blowing snow, Roy did not know what direction he was going. Instead of going to Hardee's, Roy turned left. Realizing he was going the wrong direction, Roy turned around.
He tripped on the sidewalk, hitting his head on the sidewalk.
###
Cap collapsed on the bed, while Mike was taking off his shoes, getting ready to take a shower.
"That shower sure felt good," Cap sighed.
"Why would a person drive drunk?" Mike asked.
"He doesn't kow his limits," Cap replied.
"Be careful on the roads out there. The Iowa State patrol has just closed Interstate 80 from Des Moines to Tipton. In other news, an accident near the LeClaire interchange on I-80 sent two people to the hospital. Iowa State Patrol reports that the unidentified victims of the crash were saved by six firemen from California. A passenger was airlifted to University Hospitals in Iowa City with a skull fracture and a broken arm. Her condition is not being released at this time. The driver was treated and released from St. Luke's. He is being charged with drunk driving and is being held in the Scott County Jail," Don Rhyne reported.
"I wonder how long this storm will last," Mike pondered as he looked out the window.
"I don't know. I have never been stuck in a snowstorm before," Cap told Mike.
"Neither have I. I wonder how the fire department gets around in weather like this," Mike said.
"Very carefully," Cap told Mike.
"There's a bar downstairs. After I change, I'll buy you a drink and maybe challenge you to a game of pool," Mike said.
"Sounds like a great idea to me," Cap said.
###
As Cap and Mike headed toward the stairs, they saw a five-year-old boy fall down the stairwell. They raced down the stairs.
"He's alive," Mike said after checking for a pulse.
"There's bleeding from the ears," Cap said.
"I'll get a blanket from the room," Mike said.
"Call an ambulance while you're there," Cap said.
Two minutes later, Mike returned with a blanket.
"The ambulance won't be here for another twenty minutes because of the snowstorm," Mike told Cap.
"I wish we had a backboard," Cap said.
"He's stopped breathing," Mike yelled.
Cap started CPR when a panic stricken woman came out.
"OH my God!! My son!!" she shrieked.
"He'll be fine. An ambulance is on the way," Mike soothingly said to the woman.
Cap breathed a sigh a relief when the boy started breathing again. A few minutes later, the ambulance arrived.
"This is our second call out here in twenty minutes," the EMT said.
"What was the first one?" Cap asked as he helped place the boy on the gurney.
"It was a near drowning by the pool. Two firemen from LA saved a little girl," the EMT said.
"We're also firemen from LA," Cap told the EMT.
"Are you Kelly and Lopez?" the EMT asked.
No, I'm Hank Stanley, and this is Mike Stoker," Cap told the EMT.
"He's the captain and I'm the engineer," Mike added.
"We'll be taking him to Mercy Hospital," the EMT said.
###
Cap and Mike walked into the pool area on their way to the bar. They saw Johnny taking pictures of Chet and Marco swimming. Chet and Marco looked like what seemed to be a routine that reminded Cap and Mike of something Esther Williams would do on a bad acid trip.
"How many souvenirs can Roy buy for his family?" Mike asked.
"Forget about that. Let's watch Chet and Marco," Cap said.
Cap and Mike joined Johnny poolside, and for the next five minutes the three men watched Chet and Marco flail away.
Chet, noticing that there was an audience, started splashing at the legs that he saw.
"Will you stop that? You're getting me wet, you twit!" Cap yelled.
"I was aiming for Gage, Cap," Chet remarked.
"Well, you missed," Johnny laughed.
"That's because he moved behind me," Mike said, drying off his leg.
"Chet was practicing some moves that he learned from the late, late show," Marco joked.
"Why don't we have a pool tournament?" Cap asked.
"Loser buys," Marco suggested.
"I've got to put my camera away. I'll get Roy," Johnny said.
"We'll come with you, Johnny," Mike said.
"Sure," Johnny said.
While Chet and Marco went to their room to change out of their Speedos, Cap. Mike and Johnny went to Johnny's room.
Just as Johnny was unlocking the door, he noticed an unconscious man that looked familiar just outside the door.
"It's Roy!" Johnny said alarmed.
"What's he doing out in this storm?" Cap asked.
"He probably was trying to get a bite to eat. He likes to eat during the middle of the night," Johnny said.
"How long ago was that?" Mike asked, putting Roy on Johnny' shoulder.
"An hour ago. He was talking to his family, so I decided to leave him alone," Johnny answered.
Cap unlocked the door and Johnny placed an unconscious Roy on the bed.
"He's cyanotic, but he has a strong pulse. His respiration is normal," Johnny said.
"Let's get these wet clothes off him," Mike said.
"He's still breathing," Johnny said as Mike called a ambulance.
Just then, Roy regained consciousness and started violently shivering. Cap, Mike and Johnny breathed a sigh of relief.
"What happened?" Johnny asked.
"I was trying to get to the Hardee's for something to eat, and I slipped," Roy told a worried Johnny.
Johnny then looked at Roy's feet.
"Can you feel you're feet, Roy?" Johnny asked.
"Not at all," Roy said.
Johnny carried Roy to the bathroom. Johnny filled the bathtub with lukewarm water and helped Roy sit on the toilet.
"Here, this will help," Johnny said to Roy, putting Roy's feet in the tub.
"Grab those pillowcases, Cap. He has frostbite," Johnny said, cutting a washcloth.
Mike left to wait for the ambulance.
Johnny then put the washcloth pieces between Roy's toes and wrapped Roy's feet with the pillowcases.
"If we don't get him to the hospital soon, gangrene could set in," Johnny said.
"That bad?" Roy asked.
"You just relax, Pally," Johnny said, putting a blanket over Roy.
"I'll try," Roy said.
"Where the hell is the ambulance?" Johnny asked angrily.
"The storm is delaying the ambulance," Cap replied.
"I wish I could start an IV. Roy needs D5W right now," Johnny said.
"I understand your problem," Cap told Johnny.
Twenty minutes later, Mike, Chet and Marco show up with the ambulance attendants. They loaded Roy on the gurney and put him in the ambulance.
###
At Mercy Hospital, everyone gathered in Roy's hospital room.
"Nice slippers, Roy," Chet joked.
"I could not have picked a better color for him," Johnny joked.
"The doctor said I'll be out of here in a couple of days," Roy said.
"I called JoAnne and told her what was going on," Johnny said.
"The doctor also said your quick action saved my life, Johnny," Roy said.
"I had to, otherwise I would have to break in a new partner, or be stuck with Brice," Johnny smiled.
"When you get out of here, we're going to have dinner at the Iowa Machine Shed. I hear it has the best food in town," Cap said.
"That sounds good. I hope it has souvenirs. I didn't get JoAnne anything yet," Roy said.
"She'll understand," Cap said.
Author's notes:
The late Jim King,Thom Cornelius and Don Rhyne are local announcers, Thom and Jim were on the ABC affiliate, WQAD, and Don was on the NBC affiliate, WOC(now KWQC), which carried Emergency! in the Davenport, Iowa-Rock Island, Illinois area.
There is actually a Fred Schwengel Bridge on Interstate 80, from Port Byron, Illinois, to LeClaire, Iowa. It is named after a long-time United States Congressman from Iowa's First Congressional District.
The LeClaire firemen that are in the story are current members.
The Iowa Machine Shed is an award-winning restaurant in Davenport. I highly recommend the restaurant if you decide to visit the Iowa-Illinois Quad City area. You won't be disappointed.
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