House of 7'S: We Come into Your Lives When Something Profound Happens.

Chapter 1

Anthony is tossing and turning in bed. Turning and tossing. It’s not because he was uncomfortable or he had had something that didn’t agree with him before bed. He could not stop his mind from thinking about the upcoming day. He looks at the clock, 2:30am and still no sleep. Sitting up in bed, he rubs his hand over his crew cut head feeling the stubby growth. He is a man in his early 20’s with dark eyes and complexion and jet- black hair. Sleep has always come easy to him, but tonight he can’t relax.

He says out loud but softly, Calm down and stop thinking.

Crashing back to his bed and rolling onto his right side, he continues thinking, I got to get some sleep. Geez got to be on duty at 8am, only about 5 hours from now. Anthony turns over and, putting his hands under his head, he tries to sleep.

He is way too excited to fall off. He keeps thinking of the fire academy. All the fun he had and the bad times learning and making mistakes.

Remembering something, he says out loud, That damn rabbit! feeling the embarrassment he felt during the drill.

Others made mistakes too, but he always thought himself a bit better than the others. Thoughts of the new friends he made, the drills, the camaraderie, the jokes that were played on each other were going through his head. Who knew there was so much to know about being a fireman? During the first six weeks of the eight week school, he thought he had learned nothing. He was upset. His brain was toast. There was so much thrown at them. Then, at the end of the sixth week, he felt as if he was starting to get it. He knew answers to questions asked of him. He started feeling the confidence of knowing something new. Not everything, but lots of it. Well, some of it at least. Each day he remembered more and more. Learning had always come easy to him. In school, he had always caught on right away and even knew what was about to be taught before the teacher could finish a new subject.

When he was young and in elementary school, he used to look around in amazement at the other kids who didn’t catch on. He didn’t understand how they did not catch on. It was so easy for him. He felt frustrated when the teacher had to repeat over and over the same information, so the others could understand it. This would cause problems for him because he would get bored and start causing trouble. So, he was surprised when he felt that he didn’t catch onto firefighting right away like he thought he would.

It seems that his excitement was overwhelming him. Getting through all of the testing and passing each phase and then, finally getting hired and starting the academy, he was beside himself. He was so happy it was like he was living in a dream. Knowing he was hired and understanding he was to be a fireman. He walked around in a fog for weeks before starting the academy, feeling like he was moving, but meeting resistance like he was walking underwater. Starting the first day, hours moved like seconds. Before he knew it the first day was over. It shocked him. He couldn’t wait to get there the next day.

Being a fireman was something he had always thought of, as long as he could remember. He realized, looking back, that he had been so excited he was there, that he wasn’t even concentrating on what was being taught. After a few weeks, he started to calm down and that’s when he started to get it and a new sense of accomplishment took over. Well, for Anthony, it was truly a dream come true. He was just thrilled. The instructors could see the improvement and rise in his self-confidence. It was like a dam had burst and the rushing water was him understanding the complexities of firefighting. He knew the answers! It had all jelled together for him.

A lot of the others had the same experience.

They talked about the incredible experience of thinking they didn’t know anything at the end of a long day in class, but as the instructors would ask them a direct question and all of a sudden, out would come the correct answer! It was as though their knowledge and actions went on auto-pilot. It was automatic. The instructors had stressed this. They said they would teach the correct and safest way to perform a task. The drills and intense classes were meant to instill the skills so that at a moments notice they wouldn’t have to wonder what to do next. They also reinforced their confidence so that they would be able to deviate from the norm, if needed, in order to survive. Being able to think on their feet, improvise, adapt and overcome any obstacle or situation was what the experienced instructors stressed over and over.

Lying in bed, Anthony was still awake, thinking. He was wondering how everyone got assigned a particular job and where they got placed. From the beginning, the instructors told them they would receive their assignments based on their aptitude, ability and performance throughout the eight weeks at the academy. Now, still unable to fall asleep, he started thinking about where everyone ended up. He was assigned an engine company in a busy district. Others, like Joe, got a slow firehouse in a quiet residential area with hardly any fires, just a lot of medical calls.

Have to get some sleep, he said to himself, staring at the ceiling and looking at the shadows casting in from his window from the light pole outside.

Then, he kept on thinking; Tim got put on a downtown truck company. He said, he hoped he’d get an engine. He didn’t care for truck work which was pretty hard work at that. Too bad for him, Anthony thought. He can always transfer out after his year of probation is over. They all could request a transfer after probation if they wished. During the probation period which is 365 days, any of them could be released from the service for any reason. In fact, the instructors stated the officers or administrators did not even need a reason. If they thought someone was not fit, they would just simply ask them to go home and not to worry about coming back. Just like that. They would be out the job of firefighting. But the instructors also told them, if they came on duty on the 366th day and were not told to go home, they would have a job for life. Well for at least 20 years or more if they wanted. It was very hard to get released or fired after they get off probation. It takes at least three write ups a year, then going to the Fire Commissioners with a case to release for cause. Then, if you did get fired, you could always appeal it. Sometimes, you can even fight to get your job back. This was a way to protect the firemen from personal vendettas from a chief or another officer against you. They would have to work hard to get rid of you. After all, it costs thousands if not hundreds of thousand of dollars to train someone to become a proficient firefighter. Not to mention the training it takes to have someone advance to become a paramedic or officer.

Still unable to drift off to sleep, he thinks of one of the guys he got closest to, Wayne for one. They became great friends. Wayne must know an insider at city hall. A Rabbi as they are known. That is someone with clout or power to help their friends or a friend of a friend. Sometimes for a favor or to pay back for something owed. He got his wish assignment. He was placed on a rescue squad downtown. With that assignment, he would be helping the other engine and truck companies with the cool calls. The ones that was pretty involved like complicated medical emergencies or EMS (emergency medical system) calls as they are known.

Squads also respond to all fires and all rescue calls. When he rolls with his rig, it is going to be fun and exciting and most likely hard work. It is almost unheard of for a new rookie fresh from the academy to get an assignment on a squad. Almost always it takes a few years experience to even be considered for a squad. At times there is even a waiting list to get an assignment to a squad. He was hired at the right time for his dream job. There just happens to be a shortage of personnel and only the best from their class would do for Squad 1. That was a good pick for him, he thought. He was by far the best in the class. Wayne came into the academy with a few years of experience with a small volunteer fire department way out in the rural countryside. He worked as a volunteer firefighter for five years. During that time his department sent him to paramedic school and paid for him to go. On his little department it was allowed for one paramedic to work a scene as long as he had two people trained to help him. This gave smaller department a good way to give a level of care for its citizens that they deserved.

As a paramedic he took a job with a private ambulance company in the city. He said he drove an hour and a half one way just to get to work. They worked the usual shift of 24 hours on and 48 hours off, just like the fire department, so, he was already used to the hours. He could do everything right and did it all very well. He did much better than some of the others on the first try. He will be good on the squad- Anthony thought of his friend.

Still staring at his ceiling, he continues thinking about some of their discussions sitting against the brick wall of the academy waiting for their turn for the drill they were working on.

Wayne told him about all the bull shit calls taking a lot of elderly patients to their doctor’s appointments and all the grunt calls while working for the privates. That is what he called the private ambulance company he worked for. He called them that because the old people grunted when they moved or transferred them. That was not a nice way of putting things, but sometimes it helps using some humor in relieving some stress. They never mentioned it in front of the patients. Every now and then, he said he had a real good medical emergency call. Most times they would be emergency transfers from one emergency room to another. The emergency room they would take someone from was not equipped to handle the level of injury or problem of a patient and needed to go to a more advanced facility. From these calls, he learned a lot. The doctors and nurses were good in telling him what was what and he would ask good questions for the just in case moments". He said it was hard keeping his skills up because the intense calls did not happen too often. They did a lot of extra training to help fill in the gaps every 2 weeks at work. Both the fire department he was on as well as at the private company.

June was all about EMS. She was already a paramedic when she got to the academy. She just had to learn the firefighting side. So, it was no surprise that she was assigned to an ambulance. She learned that she didn’t care for the fire fighting side of things. She was a small woman. Not much over 5 foot tall and not exactly skinny. She had a few pounds of muscle on her. She could barely keep up when it came to ladder work or pulling the hose. But, she showed the tenacity of a bull dog. She dug in and toughed it out though. Anthony and the other guys had a lot of respect for her and for anyone who could stick it out when things got tough. She earned their respect which is something. Once earned, meant she was accepted. He thought June would do well on the ambulance.

Rolling over and looking at the clock face, Anthony started to focus on himself. He thought, ‘I sure hope I can cut it on engine 7. The instructors must have seen something in me to give me that assignment. So, I should relax since they thought I could do it.’ ‘What time is it now?’ he thought focusing on the clock which was a blurb of light a few seconds before. As the focus came to him he saw the numbers clearly, Shit, almost 4am. I have to get an hour or so. Need to be fresh… Damn and he closed his eyes.

The excitement was slowly building as it got closer to the time for his alarm to go off. Unable to stop his brain, Anthony started to think about Hank. He was a monster of a man, almost 7 foot tall and huge, every bit of 300 pounds of solid muscle. Fresh out of the military service, he had the confidence of a man who had no fear. Everyone thought he was going to be the man to beat. The minute he started going up the ladder on the first drill, well, he went totally white. He got all sweaty and started to shake. He gripped the ladders rung and froze. He was unable to continue. He was not even that high. Only like 3 or 4 rungs from the ground, maybe 8 to 10 feet off the ground. He had to have an instructor go up the ladder and assist him back down. He sat on the ground for a few minutes. There was silence as he stood up bowed to the class and walked away. The rest of the class was standing there with their mouths open in amazement. A shame he was afraid of heights. He was great at the physical stuff. He was better than everyone else by far. He would have made a great Truckee. Oh well, that’s what the training is all about. It identifies everyone’s strengths and sometimes their weaknesses. In this case, Hank wasn’t allowed to continue. Everyone has to be able to perform all the skills that may come up in the job. You never know when they’ll be needed.

The first week of school was mostly class room. It was important to know how fires work. What made them fires and the science to putting them out? They were all taught and explained building construction. This was Anthony’s cup of tea. He found out he knew more than anyone else in class, even the instructors. It was a rush teaching the instructors about construction. He knew they appreciated it and were happy to learn from him. They were also taught a lot of basic fire ground operations and tactics. They were taught what to look for at and in fires. Looking at a fire as you approach it, as the instructors told them, to look at the color of smoke, any smells they first notice, and how much fire they see. All could be keys on what kind of fire and maybe how it started. Inside a fire, they were taught to look for signs of a flash over. That is where the smoke of a fire gets hot enough to ignite spontaneously. That can be bad. When a flash over occurs it gives off a lot off heat. They were also taught to listen for creaking and popping. That can tell them the structure is weakening and it might be time to get out. Those are just two examples of what was taught to all the new firefighters in each class. One of the hardest things to learn was the safety aspect. To sit and watch movies of firefighters getting killed in fires or calls that went bad was tough. The movies were filmed live. Seeing the men and women getting hurt or killed live is unnerving at best, even for the experienced members. But the instructors were being honest. Death is a real part of the job. Learning from others mistakes was important. They would hope by showing mistakes and explaining them, that they might remember and the same mistake would not happen to them. In the fire service, it often takes a tragedy to change tactics. It is a shame, but that’s how things work at times. There ideas and concepts were just a few of the many they were taught.

They were all told how the ranks work, and given an important list of who’s who of fire department operations. The fire chief or super chief is the main administrator in charge of the budget. He oversees everything. He reports directly to the mayor and city council. The deputy chief or dog is in charge of operations and personnel. The dog reports to the super chief.

The assistant chiefs or chiefs are the ones who run the training, fire prevention, communications, safety and public relations. There are three assistant chiefs, who each work a shift. A shift is 24 hours on and 48 hours off. They are in charge of the department when the office is closed. The two other assistant chiefs work in the office. All 5 of the assistant chiefs report to the dog.

The battalion chiefs or Bats are in charge of the day to day operations covering all 11 stations and the 132 square miles of the protected area. As well as a total of 11 engines, 5 trucks, 3 rescue squads and 9 ambulances. All this is needed to protect the lives and property of the just over 160,000 residents. Every day there are 2 bats on duty, one for the fires that might occur and one for any EMS call that might be bad. In the event both Bats are needed on any scene, the senior one takes charge until a senior ranking officer arrives. Most of the time, this is an Assistant chief. The 7 Bats report to the assistant chief which is on duty for their shift.

Anthony remembered at graduation meeting the super chief, deputy chief, and all the assistant and battalion chiefs. It sure seemed like a lot of men in charge. This didn’t even include all of the Lieutenants and captains who are in charge of each engine, truck, or rescue squad. It was hard to understand how so many were needed to run a fire department.

Anthony was awakened when the alarm went off at 6:30am. Oh crap! he said. I must have gotten some sleep, but I bet not much. Normally, it is hard for Anthony to get out of bed. Today, however, he couldn’t wait to hear the alarm. He throws back the covers, sits up, spins around and puts his feet on the carpeted floor of his cozy bedroom. Stretching his arms over his head, he pauses and smiles. Anthony’s thoughts drifted back to class again. Up and out, the instructors all kept saying over and over. "You have 2 minutes to get up, take a piss, get dressed and get rolling. Don’t ever miss your rig…EVER." When the officers get into the rig, they roll. Anthony knew he would make sure he never forgot these words as he wondered about what that would be like. He stands up and walks over to the chair by his desk. Still smiling the kind of smile that is not easy to remove, he reaches over and gently picks up the dark blue shirt he has laying over the back of the chair. He holds it up by the shoulders and looks at it. It is his duty shirt and on each sleeve is the fire department’s patch. It is a red and white Maltese cross emblem with the city’s name in the middle. Above the left pocket is his silver badge with his very own assigned number. Over the right pocket was his name tag. FF A. Mazolla. A shiver runs through his body. His hair stands up in goose bumps. He never imagined that this day would ever come. That’s not true. He did imagine it a hundred thousand times, but the feeling he feels now is nothing like he could have ever imagined. It takes his breath away and makes his eyes water. Shaking, he slowly puts it on. As he buttons it up, he stares at himself in the mirror. Unable to stop smiling, he laughs out loud as he wipes a tear from his cheek.

Going down the stairs, he hears some muffled voices, familiar voices of family.

Thinking, They shouldn’t be here, it’s early, he puzzled to himself as he continues down the stairs. He enters the kitchen to a loud Hurray!! Most of his family is in the kitchen waiting for hi

Chapter 2

OOOOO! look at the fireman! says grandma, as Anthony walks into the kitchen.

Grandpa has tears rolling down his cheeks and can’t say a word. He is smiling from ear to ear. He has his hands clasped in front of his chest.

His brothers, Sal, and Rocky stand up. They start clapping their hands and fist pumping the air and whoop it up as Anthony comes into the kitchen.

Yeah, man! Anthony you look great! Rocky yells.

Watching Rocky, Sal does the same thing. Way to go Anthony! yells, Sal, looking between Anthony and Rocky.

His uncles, Tony and Joe and aunts, Bobbie and Sara, stand and add noise to the already loud kitchen yelling for Anthony.

Their kids run over and grab Anthony’s legs, 2 on each side. Anthony bends down and rubs each of their backs as they look up at him smiling and cheering.

Great work son! Is heard and Nice job Anthony!

You look great. So professional! was another comment heard.

Everyone is cheering and clapping. Pictures are being snapped and everyone is saying how wonderful he looks in his new uniform. How professional and smart. They all come over and start giving him hugs.

The smaller children release his legs and move to the side to let the adults congratulate him.

Everyone is smiling and cheering, slapping him on the back, giving him hugs. He feels like he is 10 feet tall.

His dad, brothers, grandfather and uncles all have worked in construction all their lives. Not much in the way of job security but for them, the work was there more than not. Hard work, long hours in the hot summer sun, and many days of working in a row without a day off. The Mazolla family got the reputation of hard working men who got the job done and never complained. They had to make the money when they could in the spring, summer and fall as long as the weather held. It was an unwritten rule for the family, complete dedication to work when it’s there. Winter was slow and money got tight, even when planning for it. With Anthony passing all the exams for the fire department and getting hired, now, there was a Mazolla on the payroll of city hall. No layoffs and job security, a dream job. He feels truly blessed.

Alright, alright, break it up. Give the boy some air, Mama was saying, as she moved some of the others away from her son.

"Everyone go sit down and let’s eat. He has to get on duty……I just love saying that, my son ON DUTY at the Firehouse, where he’s a fireman!" Mama says in obvious pride.

As the small army starts moving toward the dining room set up with places for everyone. She walks around with a tray of small wine glasses filled with orange juice. Everyone takes a glass and moves into the dining room. The smaller children are running around with their wine glasses. They feel as important as an adult with their real wine glasses in their tiny hands. Feeling important they calm down and they giggle as they walk around the adults. Anthony’s nieces, Laura and Angie are the older of the kids. They are in 6th grade and are in charge of the kids when they get together. The boys, Jack and Greg, are in the 3 and 4th grades and sometimes do not like the girls running the show. They are all excited they get to eat at the kids table in the living room. It looks like a holiday get-together instead of a regular work day.

Mama and Bobbie and Sara, his aunts, along with grandma, had made a feast. 3 Kinds of eggs, 3 kinds of sausage, bacon, pancakes, waffles, hash browns, toast, cut up oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, and everyone brought some kind of pastry. There were donuts, muffins, 2 kinds of coffee cake, elephant ears, and Anthony’s personal favorite, bear claws. Every inch of the counter space and the table are covered with some kind of food. The stove top has as many pans and skillets on it as it can without anything falling off the side. An amazing feat considering the kitchen is too small to host more than two people at a time. Though, despite the dated cabinets and well-worn floor, it has a feeling of home; comfort and security. Whatever the problem, everyone knows they can go sit in the kitchen, have a cup of coffee and talk about whatever is wrong. Most times, problems can be solved in the kitchen.

As Anthony moves to take his seat at the dining room table, others are still giving him hugs and shaking hands.

Everyone! she says holding up her hand to quiet the crowd, everyone calm down. Listen, just a sec, first welcome to this great day. Thank you all for coming, before we eat let’s give papa a few minutes. Papa is going to say a blessing. Papa, Says the proud mother.

Thanks Mama. says Anthony’s father.

Standing up and holding his wine glass up in front of his mouth, he waits. A hush falls over everyone.

Turning to face Anthony directly he says,

To my boy, the one that is not going to toil and sweat and hope the next week there is still some work. He went out to make something of himself, to follow his dream. Not that Sal or Rocky don’t have dreams, they do. Right, Rock? Sal?

Sal, still a little slow on the uptake looking a bit confused at his father.

Why did you mention me pop, this is about Anthony isn’t it? On account of him being a fireman, right? asks Sal with a puzzled look on his face.

Rocky sitting next to him puts his arm around his brothers shoulder and says quietly,

It is, li’l brother. Papa was just saying hi to you and me. Then smiling, he winks at Papa as a cue to continue.

Papa continues,

My boys, I am so proud of each of you. I love you all, as much as any father can. You’re right, Sal, today is about Anthony. He is starting off in a new direction, breaking from the family road and the history of the Mazolla family business. We all know how hard it is for all of us. He will be the one to start the change in the family direction. For generations to come, we will remember this day. This is a new pathway and adventure for the youngest Mazolla. We all can’t wait to hear about the excitement of his work. The calls he gets to go on and all the things that go on in the firehouse, all the goings on.

Pausing, everyone starts clapping and whistling. When it dies down and gets quite again, Papa continues. Looking right at Anthony and making eye contact, he says in a serious tone,

"We all know the dangers that go along with being a fireman. Just do us one thing, one promise. If you feel that you must do something very, very dangerous, promise us