The Diner Fire - Tales from Bark Mountain

0:00Welcome to another tale from Bark Mountain. It was just after sunset on Bark Mountain when they alarm rain through the fire hall. Goose skidded across the floor, tail wagging and ears up, ready to respond. She Steve read the call aloud, kitchen fire at the maple bend diner. In seconds gear snapped on and trucks rode to life. The engine rolled out first with forest, red and was, rescue followed behind with Tom and dazzle and goose the fire dog. Izzy guided the ladder close behind. The maple bend diner was an iconic meeting place for families and residents of Bark Mountain.

1:03Celebrations like birthdays and retirements were held there because Margan Bill who had owned it for over 30 years and their entire family worked there. As the trucks rolled down the hill, they could see the orange flames in the distance. As they pulled in, the diner windows were black and there was a tower of smoke that drifted into the night. As the crews were getting out of the trucks, Bill the owner was standing out front yelling. The French fire is on fire. All right team, let's get to work, she Steve shouted. Hose line stretched, air packs clicked tight, the ladder team checked the roof. Tom, dazzle and goose rushed to the front door to help people evacuate and goose was sniffing for anyone who may be scared or hiding. Inside the diner the flange crackled like angry waves. Smoke flowed along the ceiling thick and dark. Forest, red, was, your fire attack, she Steve ordered. Red crawled forward with the nozzle, but as soon as he crossed the doorway something inside

2:08him tightened, a feeling of panic. The smoke felt too thick, his heart thumped too fast, his breath stuttered in short choppy puffs. Not now, please not now, red begged inside his mask. It's hard to breathe. He tried to breathe slow, in, out, in, out, but the panic squeezed even harder. Forest, red whispered, voice trembling, I, I, I think something's wrong. Forest stopped immediately, he heard the fear in Red's voice, was, hold up. He placed a hand on Red's shoulder, hey, I've got the line, Forest said gently, you get behind me and we'll go one step at a time, we got this red, we always go together. He had nodded, embarrassed, but felt relieved.

3:08He grabbed Forest jacket and followed, together with was covering, they pushed towards the flames. Forest opened the nozzle, whoosh, a cool spray blanketed the fire, steam hissed and the flames shrank and then died, silence filled the kitchen except for soft drips of water. Each side the crews regrouped, everyone was safe and the fire was out. Red pulled off his mask, his eyes were lowered, far Chief Steve walked over and said good job. Chief, I'm sorry, I got anxious, I should have handled that better, Chief Steve raised his hand to Red to stop talking. Red do you know how many times I've had anxiety or calls? Red blinked, you? Steve smiled, oh yes, more times than I can count, the entire crew listened quietly. Firefighters aren't brave because we don't feel scared Chief Steve said, we're brave

4:09because we do get scared and then we help each other through it. He rested his hand on Red's shoulder, I'm proud of you Red, you spoke up, you let your team support you and you still help get the job done, that's real courage. As the crew cleaned up, loading all the hoses on the trucks, accepting hugs from Bill and Marge and then they started to return to the fire hall. As the fire trucks rolled back up the country road, the night seemed softer, like Bark Mountain was proud too. Red sat in the engine, still shaky but now something warm flickered inside him, understanding and love from others. Crews climbed beside him and curled up close, steady in calm as they pulled into the station. Back at the hall the crews washed all the trucks and cleaned all the gear. Red finally looked up at fire Chief Steve as he passed by, I'm feeling better now Chief,

5:11thanks for the support, Chief Steve nodded, it's actually quite normal, even for us firefighters he smiled, and sometimes we just need a friend or a team to help us steady our breath. When fire Chief Steve looked around at the entire crew, I want you all to know something, if your chest feels tight or your tummy gets twisty remember this, you're allowed to feel it, you're allowed to ask for help and the bravest thing you can do is let someone help you. Red's eyes welled up, thanks Chief, I really needed to hear that, Chief Steve smiled again, we all do red. Just nudge red gently, his tail sweeping the floor like a soft comfort room. Red breathed in slowly and whispered, maybe I am still brave even when I'm scared. Chief Steve responded with, your brave because you feel scared and you still show up. Your brave because you try and because you let us walk with you.

6:14When your friends and family know what you need, you just need to tell us so we can help you. That's the courage the world doesn't see, but it's the strongest kind of all, asking someone for help. Later as the lights dimmed and the bunk room whispers faded, Red curled under his blanket, goose snuggled clothes, warm and steady. Forest, Red whispered in the dark? Yeah buddy, thanks for looking back, for a smile, I always will brother. In that night under the quiet stars of Park Mountain, a lesson was learned by all. Asking for help is brave, and no matter how your heart feels, you are strong, you are loved, and you never have to face big feelings alone. As the firefighters drifted off to sleep, Red felt a blanket of calmness come over him. Feeling anxious doesn't make you weak. It means your heart is learning courage, and every brave breath you take in the dark becomes

7:20the light that guides you safely into tomorrow. Thank you for listening. Please check out GooseDefire.com for more stories and pictures. Every Sunday the crew gathers around for another tale from Park Mountain. Please join us. Good morning, good day, good night, little firefighters, everywhere.