School Days by Audrey Brackett "Um, Cap?" "Yes?" "What's the deal with scene safety, huh? I mean...how safe is safe?" The captain thought the question over for a second. "Well, let me tell you...if the scene was SAFE, they would not have called YOU. You're looking for a degree of relative safety. Broken glass is okay. Speeding cars that you are not in the path of are fine. Exposed electrical wires are iffy. Anything glowing green is bad." The recruits chuckled slightly. A smile spread across the captain's face...the class was warming up to his teaching style fairly well. At least no one had passed out in the middle of class, like last time. "Just remember, Response Rule #45--ALWAYS look cool. Most citizens will think you are godlike. Don't correct their illusions." He glanced at the clock. "Okay, take ten." He headed out the door of the classroom, taking in the grounds of the Los Angeles County Fire and Rescue Academy. A year or so ago, he'd been offered a teaching position on his days off...which he loved the idea of. To influence future generations of County firefighters and EMS responders...well, it was a heck of a legacy, as far as he was concerned. His teaching style had never been mainstream, but it seemed to go over well enough. He straightened slightly, out of habit, as he saw the chief coming his direction. He inclined his head slightly in greeting. "Hello, Chief." "Captain." The chief responded in kind, then burst into laughter. "What's with all this formality? It's good to see you again." "Yeah...it's been awhile." The captain nodded. "You know, our relationship HAS changed over the years, hasn't it?" "Oh, I'd say so. I USED to be able to intimidate you." "Well, times change," the captain joked. "Now I'm the one intimidating people." "You? Underneath it all, you're a pussycat and we both know it." The chief pulled him closer in a friendly, brotherly sort of way. "I just have ONE question, John." "Yeah, Hank?" "Who in the hell's idea was it to let YOU teach Personal Safety?" |