Before the Break: According to the Evergreen website, the nearest fire station is McLane Black Lake Fire Department (MBLFD). This fire station provides basic life services (BLS) on scene and in transport while advanced life services (ALS) are treated by Thurston County Medic One (mclanefire.org). They follow the same confidentiality laws as hospitals and doctors offices, that being HIPPA, maintain professional relationships with the government (providing accurate information when requested), and keep their facilities open to the public (provided you register with them ahead of time) (mclanefire.org). It should be noted that MBLFD keeps an online record of all of their policies and procedures on their website, where I am getting most of my information, so transparent communication is a big part of this infrastructure.
Like most fire departments, MBLFD originated due to the need for quicker response times to critical fires and medical emergencies that other stations took longer to get to. This fire station originated in 1952, and in 1975 would bring aboard EMS operations to better serve the people around it (mclanefire.org). Their standard emergency response calls for a maximum of six firefighters and three EMT’s, minimum of one for each if one minute has passed. The officer or senior member is in charge during the encounter. When they arrive on the scene, this same senior member will address the scene in a specific order of action, such as calling for help, giving first aid, and putting out fires (mclanefire.org). Important to note is that firefighters use sprinkler and hose systems, which connect to the water infrastructure. All of their procedures are carefully written out and closely followed in order to maximize safety for everybody involved, and those procedures are public knowledge to everybody.
Since Then: Not too long after the sky cracked red lightning, Olympia descended into chaos. The government shut down, and the MBLFD lost contact with the closest hospital. Seeing as how this is causing concern and panic among local citizens and communities, MBLFD takes it upon themselves to go out and see what’s going on, hoping to help however they can. When they do discover the mysterious mists, modified animals, and evolved biome, they return to base camp to weigh their options. They have plenty of survival materials, beds, and basic medical supplies to last them through the month (thank goodness they just got that new shipment in) but people are scared, and the city is likely going to lose power soon as a result of the incident. This, in turn, will break down other infrastructures in the area, such as heating and gas. Water is equally okay for the next month, so for the time being it’s figuring out food and power. While the station commander works with their next in rank, the EMS paramedics on site gather basic survival materials (blankets, small gas lights, matches, first aid, and rations to name a few) and set out with a few other firemen into the neighboring communities to hand out materials to those who need it the most. The people are thankful, and while it is a small kindness that does not spread out super far, it is enough to form a close-knit community by and around the fire station of about a couple hundred people give or take. Meanwhile, radio connections are attempting to be made at the station, to no avail (task: get into contact with the fire station on Black Lake). The station tries daily, taking note of the times and frequencies they receive for differing areas. Additionally, the station takes in any sick, elderly, disabled, or homeless people that need shelter and extra care, turning the station into a temporary sick bay. They can’t serve everyone, which causes some tension and conflict, but they are working tirelessly on a solution that will expand their operations and their resources. Some community members have even volunteered to offer their homes up to people who need it. Eventually, firefighters do go out and begin to explore and document the evolved biome, documenting their findings but hesitant to use anything new in lieu of putting someone at risk (task: share resources and what is considered safe). Instead, they turn their attention to training people on basic survival and hunting skills, allowing people to become more independent out in the wilds. Overall, MBLFD fosters a nice, small community of hopeful people which is disconnected from that of the government. By the time of our arrival, they would be a nice allyship that can provide and trade resources with the population at Evergreen (task: bridge the gap between the station and collapsed gov’t).