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fire here and there, along with wrecks and emergency calls, but this was his official first huge fire back on the job. 
    It felt just like in his dream.  Everything seemed wrong and already, his lungs were growing tight in his chest.  He hadn’t even gotten close to the building yet.  People all around him were yelling, several were running, and one lady came up to him and was yelling and pointing toward the area that was on fire.  It was as if things were in slow motion, and even her talking seemed muffled and distant. 
    He felt Gregg push him and he too, was pointing.  Captain Rooker grabbed his arm and gave his face a nudge.  “Snap out of it McGinnis. There’s been multiple reports of civilians up there.  What’s your problem?”
    Michael finally realized what was going on.  Everything that seemed muffled before was becoming clear.  The yelling and panic around him was now moving at a normal pace. 
    “Get the cement out of your boots McGinnis, and get your ass up there! You are search and rescue, now do your job, damn it! We are going to lose this building!”
    Captain Rooker shoved him and Michael took one last glance back before adjusting his mask and coat.   Running in, he found the nearest staircase that looked safe and took the steps two at a time.  Why did he hesitate like that?  That wasn’t who he was.  There was no time to over think things with people in trouble.  He reached the seventh floor and observed the orange flames as they engulfed the wood around him.
    “FDNY, if you can hear me, yell out!” 
    The smoke was so thick that the visibility was zero.  Getting on his hands and knees, he crawled through the toxic air, listening closely for any type of sound.  He suddenl y began to worry that his air would run out.  Looking around, he tried to keep from panicking.  What if the flames locked him in?  What if he failed the victims?  Closing his eyes, he pushed through the negative thoughts.
    “FDNY, is anywhere here?”
    “We’re in here! Please help us! ”  The roar of the flames was intense, but Michael could hear the woman yelling over the rumble. 
    “I’m coming, ma’am. I’m coming!”  Crawling, he finally found an area where the smoke wasn’t as bad and stood up.  A woman with her baby was crouched behind a couch.  The baby was crying uncontrollably and the woman had complete fear in her eyes. 
    “Oh thank God you are here!”
    “I’m gonna get you two out.” He went to the window and broke the glass.  The ladder was near, and one of the firefighters moved it toward them.  “Cap, I got a woman and a baby right here. I think getting them out through the window is probably our safest bet.” 
    They edged the ladder to the opening and Michael handed the baby over to one of the guys.  The woman approached the window, her hands shaking uncontrollably.  “Please, I can’t do this.”
    Michael took her hand and guided her.  “Yes you can.  The ladder is right there and we won’t let you fall. Just step out and don’t look down.”
    She was apprehensive and it felt like a wake up call to Michael.  He was acting the same way about entering the building.  A few more seconds and it was likely that this lady and her child wouldn’t have gotten out, all due to him being hesitant.  She stepped out and Michael stayed with her, helping her down the ladder with each step, talking her through it.  When they reached the ground she hugged him. 
    “Thank you so much, for getting us out.” Tears fell down her face, smearing the soot that was caked on her skin.
    “It’s my job.  Go get checked out at the ambulance.  They took your baby over there too.”
    She patted his shoulder one last time, and the look of gratitude on her face was enough for Michael to know that she truly was grateful.  It didn’t matter.  Michael felt completely useless.  How could he have sunk so low?  Captain Rooker approached him, his brow creased.
    “They called clear