The Ambo’s Come To Town

Tom and Stevo stood outside the commander’s office with worried looks on their faces.

"Can you think of anything we’ve done wrong, Tom?"

"Not a thing, Stevo. It can’t be anything too bad though can it? After all, we haven’t been told to get our rep up here."

Just then the office door opened and the commander’s assistant came out.

"You can go in now, lads," he told them with a smile.

The station commander was a jolly-faced man in his mid 50’s. Grey haired and rotund, his friendly demeanour had fooled a lot of people in his past. He could be a tyrant if called for, but on the whole he was firm, but fair. He saw his two paramedics were looking ill at ease.

"Take a seat, boys. Nothing to look so worried about. I have a proposition for both of you, and want to sound you out on it. Tom, how’s the house coming along at The Glen?"

"Good, sir. We need to get it all decorated and the bathroom and kitchen need to be fitted out. Steve and I are planning to get the painting started on our next day off."

"It’s going to be a slow job only being able to get out there on your off days."

"Yes it is, sir, but thankfully you aren’t in a rush for the apartment in town…are you?" Tom asked worriedly.

"Don’t worry, Tom. I’m not about to throw you and your lovely fiancé out on the street. If I gave you and Steve next week off to really get down to work on the place would that help?"

"Really? What’s the catch?" Steve blurted out before he could stop himself. Tom nudged him in the ribs, trying to keep him quiet.

"Sorry about that, chief," Steve apologised.

"No worries, boys. I have to admit that I do have an ulterior motive. The Glen is growing bigger all the time, and the powers that be have decided that it would be a good idea to have a unit based out there full time. As you are moving out there, Tom, I thought you would be the ideal candidate. And as you seem to get along with this larrikin, I figured I’d keep you both together."

"Wow…that sounds great, boss," Tom replied.

"Okay, here’s the thing. To begin with you two would be the only ones out there, so we will have to work out the hours. We may have to have you on alternate shifts, with the other on call if needed. Also, I think that you’ll be made available to the rural fire service that’s going to be set up there."

"That sounds okay until we find out how busy we might get," Steve agreed.

"There’s a bit of a bonus for you as well," the commander continued. "New vehicles."

"Vehicles?"

"Yes, you’re getting two. A fully equipped ambo, one of the new range we have on order.

Also we’re deploying a rapid response vehicle out there as well. For the day-to-day calls, that might be all you’ll be needing."

"Strewth, we’re being spoilt," Stevo grinned.

"One more thing, Tom," the commander continued. "Until the fire station is ready, we’ll be asking you to house the vehicles at your new place. If you have the space."

"That’s not a problem, chief."

"Good, and Steve, we’ll be putting you up at the boarding house. Hopefully when the fire house is finished, you’ll be living ‘over the shop’ as it were."

"Suits me fine, boss. Thanks for thinking of us. We’ll make you proud."

"You already do, boys. That’s why I chose you. Off you go now and get things ready for next week."