This was a truly amazing story! It was completely unique and a wonderful way to present some of LA's and the department's history in a fresh and entertaining fashion. I especially liked the way you wove Mike's romance throughout the tale without getting mushy. Inserting our boys into the real events was pure genius. I read this story all in one sitting and was sad when it ended. Excellent job!

Great story! Enjoyed reading how they used the "past" for a wonderful cause. Thanks for using real fires as examples in your story-that was very powerful!

THIS IS A FANTASTIC STORY. And for me - it's incredibly personal on several levels. You see, I work in Emergency Services in Queensland. I started out as a Project Administrator working on IT projects. The first 3 projects I worked on were for the Fire Service (well one for Ambulance as well). Of those 3 projects, one was to upgrade the computer systems used for the 000 (Australia's emergency call number) dispatch systems used by Queensland Fire and Ambulances. That involved upgrading all our Communications Centres, and (as a side) building and commissioning a major new CommCen and Disaster Management Centre on our main HQ complex site.

Following on with that, I am involved currently in doing (in addition to my normal work now as an Executive Assistant) Project Administration for the Queensland component of the refresh of the national Australian 000 system. (I support the IT Director who has charge of this project).

Part of what I have to do involves reviewing logs and preparing reports of failures of the system. I've read and reported on what happens when a simple 3 digit number isn't available or doesn't work.

Growing up watching Emergency in the 1970's in Brisbane, I always assumed that they did have the 911 system in place - it wasn't until 1984 (in my first stint working for the Queensland Fire Service) that I discovered the history of those simple numbers and that in 1984, it was still only just being implemented widely in the US. You see, by that time, most of Australia had the 000 (Called Triple Zero) available - only the most remote locations were still to be connected and only that because infrasturcture needed to be upgraded. (as a side note - my mother, a Signals Captain in the Australian Army, was involved in training the first Aussie Triple Zero calltakers).

So - VERY VERY LONG story short - this story of yours means a lot to me because I know exactly what it's all about.

I'm also a major history buff (yes - I am in the SCA and do historical reenactment) and have worked with the emergency services volunteer museums in Brisbane to put on displays at a major Living History weekend in Brisbane.

Your weaving in the historical pieces with the boys was so very well done - even down to slang used in period. And I won't quibble - the death of the AutoFireman had me in tears for quite a while. I had to stop reading for a couple of days as I needed to get past the emotion of it.

That was some truly powerful writing from you.

AND having this as a Cap and Mike centric story - AND having our own Mikey get the girl is a major plus in my books! (the boy deserves it)

The only quibble some spelling/grammar errors (spelling errors that spellchecker alone wouldn't have had caught - it would need to be the full spell/grammar check). But they weren't enough to spoil the reading because your words were so well crafted.

Well done!

I have read this story over and over. I really love the way you combined the LACOFD history with the storyline. Having each one of the guys find their own story and then relate it to the committee...fantastic. I am a history nut, so I could really relate to Ryleigh and her desire to keep it alive for all generations. I'm also a big fan of Mike's, so I could relate to her in that way too! At the risk of just being a sappy romantic, I'd love to see a follow up with Mike and Ryleigh...they just sound so right for each other. Anyhoo, I have really enjoyed this story. Please keep writing them.

I don't think I've ever read anything that has hit me with such an emotional battering as this.
Thank you.

Great story. I had a peddle car when I was a kid. I had a fire truck. It had the light, the bell and two ladders. I wonder where it is now.

Wonderful story! I loved each of the historical vignettes. Thanks so much for sharing your work!

very nice

Absolutely amazing story !
Your wonderfully descriptive writing evoked the whole gamut of emotions. Reading the presentation gave me the most horrendous chills, I actually felt like I was a committee member, and at times, a participant of those past historic tragedies.
As a volunteer firefighter (and am proud to be the first female firefighter and President of our company), I was so very impressed with the technical accuracy, but even more with the true depictions of the love and camaraderie of the station.
And, LOVED the addition of Ryleigh ! As a Mike Stoker fan, I was so glad to see him figuring so prominently in the story - and HE got the girl this time !
Since I have just discovered fanfiction and this site, I hope there will be more stories like this. If so, I have discovered my newest addiction !
Thanks for such a great story !

Being a history buff myself I loved this story, I really enjoy the way you write your stories & the characters they always have just the right mix of humor & personal conflict. Making it entirely believable and relatable. Thanks for sharing

This was a fantastic and extremely interesting story. I had a hard time putting it down. I loved the history in it. I guess you could say I am like Ryleigh. I usually don't read the author notes at the end of each chapter but the way you made each incident involve the crew in different time eras, I could really see stoker driving the horses. Keep up the great writing.

It took me a few chapters to get into this story, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. I really like the way you interwove the historical aspects with the present day (well, the present day of the guys of 51). I also really like your ability to create realistic dialogue. The banter between the characters is a lot of fun to read!

To finally know know why Cap burned McKonnikee's hat...! Wow! This was a fabulous story from beginning to end. You wove true stories so skillfully with the story of our beloved Station 51 A shift. And a sprinkling of romance for our favorite, engineer, too! How much better can it get? A truly marvelous offering! Bravo!

Omg! What an ending to the chapter! You write so well. I am especially grateful for the correct spelling and selection of words and even more with the correct punctuation (e.g., "you're welcome" not "your welcome". Something minor but still disconcerting when you come across it.

Totally loving this trip back into time and learning how firefighting has changed thru the years and how some things don't change. Great job!