It was just a routine call for BFD Station 1-B shift. I had no idea the lasting effects that could follow my career forever. A simple aid call really...nothing more. Just a trip to the downtown Hampton Inn. We were hoping to make it back to finish watching the MLB All-Star game. But sadly, fate would be against us.

After sending the patient with the ambulance, the four of us got into that elevator, our lives would never be the same. The doors closed, then a jerking sensation. The door opened only a few inches....and that was it. We were stuck. I could say that in this precious time, we reflected on our lives. but no! there was no time for that. EMS Capt. Plyler immediatly began chiseling in the wall the passing minutes, FF Junkin trying to figure out who was going to be the first person "sacrificed", FF Patti, noticing that Junkin was eyeing him, implementing his plans to tunnel out of the elevator using little more than spoons. Capt. Golnik, with 38 years on the department realizing the gravity of the situation, trying to maintain composure while calling E-3 to help us out. Did those things really happen? No. But unlike other professions who may have panicked, like cops, we simply took a picture. And now face the daunting task of feeding E-3 Cold Stone ice cream for their heroics in rescuing us.