2020 Emergency Response Team Christmas Party

[M. Caldwell]

Jenna: 'You two look ridiculous!'

'We look amazing!'

Jenna: 'I'm getting a divorce. But this time for real, I feel bad depriving you two of each other.'

*Jenna, Scott and I pile out of her fusion. Wearing matching powder blue tuxedos with ruffled shirts and black accents we make our entrance. She gives the keys to the valet.*

Jenna: 'Where did you even find those?'

'eBay'

*We walk in. Everyone is deafened by our superior choice of fashion. People are staring. I think one of the civilians threw up a little.*

'Do you regret daring me to do this?'

*I say with a chuckle to Jaydon as we walk into the main hall.*

Jenna: 'I regret marrying a manchild.'

'Can you take a picture of us?'

*Me and Jaydon Do a Charlie's angels pose. I hear people giggle.*

[A. Breslin]

*Logan grabs my arm and drags me over to the bar*

'Shots shots shots shots shots shots shots shots shots shots shots shots shots shots shots shots...everybody!'

*I laugh all the way to the bar. Before we get there I whisper to Sparks.*

'Hey can you try and keep that red head cop away from me? Last time I drank with her things got... Weird.'

*As we approach the bar I see Doug looking sharp in his Class A's*

 

'LT, good to see you. Not sure if you've met my wife before, this is Cierra.'

'Doug glad you could make it, I don't think we ever met.'

*I shake hands with Doug and introduce myself to his wife. I know Doug to be a drinker. He's always talking up this brewery in California but I'm not much of a beer fan so I've never asked any further.*

'Care to Join me and Sparks for a round of shots?'

*Before he can say no I turn to the bartender.*

'4 shots of Patron Silver.'

*He serves us to them and I pass them out to everyone.*

[A. Blackburn]

*After shooting down my whiskey shot I turn my face back to Russo.*

'Well, my wife probably wants her wine so I'm going to see what table they put us at.  So, later.'

*Walking away I see a bunch of EMS personnel show up to the bar and begin drinking.  Looks like they're going to be doing that all night.  If any deputies join in... well it looks like the future meetings in the office will be legendary.*

 

[L. Sparks]

'Hey can you try and keep that red head cop away from me? Last time I drank with her things got... Weird.'

*I look at Breslin a little puzzled*

'..wha...?' I start.

It dawns on me: 'Ohhhhh...is she the cop at the Memorial Day party that was passed out drunk on Stone's back lawn?' I ask.

'Didn't seem all that bad. Why are you getting all weird about it? As I recall you were both super trashed by the time I got there. She was passed out on the grass and you were...well...you were only mildly better off...and by better off I mean conscious.'

*McGuire introduces himself*

'Hey man.' I say shaking his hand.

'Yeah. I think we've run into each other a few times in the ER or in passing.' I say cheerfully. 

'I'm Logan.' I introduce myself.

"Hey alright. My man." I cheer as McGuire is passed a shot.

*I grab my shot*

'So...you want me to ask the red head if she wants a re-match with you or what?' I ask.

'I mean she seemed nice enough, even though I had to help carry her half unconscious ass inside on Memorial Day. As I recall I had to drive your happy ass home and explain to my sister that I don't typically drive drunk women home on the regular.' I say.

'...but...There's nothing a little tequila can't fix...plus...it's Christmas...you can't have that kind of negativity in your heart.' I said.

*I start to gesture that I'm going over towards Hawke*

Edited December 12, 2020 by Chris07

[J. Scott]

Caldwell: 'Do you regret daring me to do this?'

'I'll give you credit. You called my dare. You knew when I was spewing bullshit and you called me on it. Kudos to you.' I say shamelessly. 

*I laugh as we do our Charlie's Angels poses*

'You know I just realized. I bet the guy we bought this from was a bottom of the barrel wedding band or something.' I say as I pull out a small card out of my pocket.

It's a business card of a Wedding singer group with the date/time and other random info about a wedding.

'Proof' I say handing the card to Mike.

'Found it in the pocket' I say laughing.

'Come on now Jenna, be thankful we're not tonight's entertainment.' I say to Caldwell's wife as she walks towards us after taking our photo.

'You know what will take the stench of humiliation and regret right out of us?' I ask.

'A divorce attorney' Jenna replies.

'No! Well....maybe....but for the time being....booze!' I say enthusiastically.

'I heard it's an open bar!' I ask Caldwell with a childish look on my face.

*I start to lead the three of us towards the bar.*

[W. Burke]

*When I hear my name, I turn, and see one of the few men here not in a uniform of some sort. Try as we might, the majority of the departments in the ERT's overview still employ a majority of males, unmarried females, or lesbians. There just aren't many civilian looking men. When he extends his hand, I recognize him immediately.*

'Doctor Grant.' I say, shaking his hand.

'The county actually dead enough to allow you to be here tonight?' He says with a hint of sarcasm 'I don't think you've met my wife Nichole.'

'Well, you know, being the Commissioner does have its perks, I get to come play dress up instead of playing with the sirens.' I turn towards his wife. 'Hi, Nicole, pleasur eto meet you, My name is Will Burke, I'm the Director of Emergency Management for the County.' I turn towards the Doctor again briefly pausing after shaking Nicole's hand and say. 'I don't know if you've met my wife before either, have you? Elizabeth, this is Dr. Grant, he serves as medical director for the fire department, which means we work together every now and again.'

*Elizabeth smiles politely and takes his hand when he extends it.*

*As I hear some ruckus at the other side of the banquet hall by the other bar, I look over and see some of the members taking advantage of the open bar policy in place. Smiling, I look towards them and then back at Grant and his wife.*

'Looks like someone's enjoying the free drinks. Are they your people?'

[M. Stone]

*I nod as Hawke gripes about the Shiloh 6. The sheriff really was taking every chance he could get to throw them up as heroes. It had to be tiring.*

'I can understand that. Well, I don't think seats are assigned...care to sit with me? It'll keep the entire table from being the Shiloh 6, at least. Can probably fill it in with Fire or EMS folks and make you the only deputy if you really want to avoid some people,' *I smile.*

*I take a sip of my Jack and Coke, nodding as Breslin and Sparks come over.*

'There's your friend. Looks like she's getting in the Memorial Day spirit.' *I chuckle. Tequila shots sounded great, but Evelyn didn't seem to be in a drinking mood just yet.*

[E. Hawke]

'Well if we get to choose sure, I'll sit at whatever table you go to.'

*Taking a sip of champagne I decide to finish the glass as Stone mentions the group intent on getting drunk tonight.*

'Yeah, keep me from making out with any girls tonight.'

[J. Noel]

((AND THIS IS WHERE THE LOCAL RESIDENT FIREFIGHTER SWINGS IN TO SAVE THE DAY.))

*Walking into the banquet, I thank god that the SCFD has a little more comfortable uniforms than the CFD. I didn't opt to wear an outer jacket because it's not really that cold here, so I bypass coat check and head right into the bar. I look around for some faces I recognize and see the one and only Lieutenant Stone.*

'Hey there. How's it going Stone?'

*Off to his side is a gorgeous red head that must be his wife or date. She says something about kissing girls and then turns when Stone's attention comes to me. When it's Evelyn I nearly pass out. I try to stare her up and down subtly, taking in that dress.*

'And hello to you. That's twice now out of uniform. I think we're making this into a habit or something!'

*Times like this I'm glad I was blessed as a woman and not a man.*

[M. Stone]

*I chuckle as Evelyn says to keep her from making out with girls tonight.*

'Alright, can do. No girls for you.'

*As if on cue, I hear Noel pipe up. I turn to her, raising my glass in greeting.*

'Howdy, Noel. Just getting the party started,' *I chuckle.*

'Oh, you two know each other?'

*I glance curiously between the two. More adventures with ladies? I wasn't threatened by Noel, per se, but I wasn't thrilled that I apparently had competition tonight.*

[E. Hawke]

'Don't think it's habit until it happens more than three times.  Hello Jenn'

*Giving a gentle nod hello to Noel I can feel her checking me out as I hear Stone ask if we knew each other.*

'Yeah, we had beers at a bar once.'

[J. Noel]

'Well, we'll have to keep it up then and keep running into each other when we're not paid to do so.'

*I look over at Stone, who seems like he's already had a few.*

'Hopefully I don't have to play catch-up too much!'

[W. Burke]

*As the members all make their way from the bars to the tables, I step up to the podium and wait for the talking to die down and people to take their seats.*

'Good evening everyone. Thank you for coming tonight, and please make yourselves comfortable. We'll be starting the dinner soon, and shortly after that, we'll be making presentations for our members of the year. The awards are issued by the County Emergency Management Board, on recommendations from the departments involved, to recognize members in the area of dispatch, EMS, fire, law enforcement, as well as the cross service supervisor and rookie of the year. If you'll please take your seats, they can start serving dinner and we can begin our awards presentations.'

[E. Hawke]

'Guess we should be getting to our tables then'

*Finishing my glass of champagne I look to Stone.  He offered to share a table so I'm going to let him lead me to whatever table he wants to take.*

[A. Blackburn]

*Finding my wife at our table with some other brass I hand her wine over to her just as the Commissioner makes his announcement.  Taking a seat next to her I begin to wait for food to come out while mingling with others at the table.*

[W. Burke]

*As the group fuddles to their tables, I see dinner making its way out. Mass produced, but nice. I finish my plate, carry on light conversation with the other big wigs and as I notice most finish, I step to the podium and give my preamble.* 

'With this year's hard case load, one deputy has really stepped up to the plate over and over again. Whether it's been filling in for vacancies in training and supervision, or aiding specialist teams in his regular line of duty. I'd like to present Sergeant Jason Patterson of the Shiloh County Sheriff's Department as Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, 2020.'

[J. Patterson]

* after the various drinks my wife orderedfor me, only to order hers back cause we screw with eachother by doing that were at the table, the opening awards stuffs pretty straight foreward when burke calls my name i fight the suprise and embarrassment of spitting the sip of water i just took, i cant ever win anything but ive been given an award as i stand to go up to accept it amber pulls me into a short yet deep kiss, i pull away then straighten my uniform shirt as my jackets on my chair which i put back on and ensure its neat before i walk up, shaking hands with all the big brass then arrive at burke for my award praying with everything that Inside me that im not expected to give a speech*

Edited December 20, 2020 by Vanguard

[M. Stone]

*As the Commissioner tells us to take our seats, I finish off my drink and grab another for the table.*

'Yeah, I guess that's our cue to take a break from drinking,' *I chuckle. I offer my arm to Evelyn before leading her towards a table I had picked out and sitting down with her. The other seats were still open, but there was no telling who would join us. We order our entrees and I glance over at her.*

'Got any bets on who's winning what? I hear that new guy that was in the shooting with y'all is a shoo-in for Rook of the Year.'

*LEO of the Year is announced, and I clap politely along with the rest of the audience. I didn't really know the guy, but hey, it sounded like he was doing a solid job.*

[Z. Russo]

*I get another drink and sit down with Steph at the table. I make it back just as Burke announces that one of my guys makes LEO of the year. The rest of the guests at my table and I start applauding.*

[E. Hawke]

'Scrat? Rookie of the Year?  Yeah, I guess that makes sense.  Think he's the only new guy in ERT to last the entire year.'

*As the Commissioner announces Patterson as LEO of the Year I applaud with the others.  Then I grab the glass of champagne in front of me and lift it up in cheers before taking a sip out of it.*

'Who do you think might get it on Fire's side of things?'

[W. Burke]

*As Patterson collects his ribbon, poses for a photo and goes back to his table, practically smiling ear to ear.*

'This year's recognition for dispatcher of the year is an up and coming dispatcher within the department. I've had the pleasure of working with her on several incidents and her professionalism, expertise and ability to respond is what makes me sure one day I'll be handing her officer bars. I'd like to invite Dispatcher Morgan Price to the podium for the recognition of the Emergency Response Team Dispatcher of the Year., 2020.'

[J. Rogers]

* Me and Kat walk in late due to Christmas traffic and sit down at a table near the back of the room*

[M. Price]

*Hearing my name called for this award I get up from my seat at my table and look to my girlfriend with a smile as I leave her.  Arriving at the podium wearing my pink evening dress I greet the Commissioner and the other brass who were waiting for me to receive my award.*

[W. Burke]

*I present Price with her award, do the picture thing and get on with the next presentation*

'The next presentation is for the EMS member of the year, meant to recognize excellence in the agencies that provide EMS to our county. This year's EMS member of the year is Paramedic Tom Murdoch. Please come to the front Tom.'

*A man I don't know well, but from the recommendations from his superiors, I should know.*

[W. Burke]

*After the old crusty paramedic makes his way up, I wonder if his bedside manner is any better than his award receipt manner.*

'Alright, up next, I'd like to recognize the ERT's firefighter of the year. A new transfer to the department from the Chicago Fire Department, this member has been a staple to service and brought invaluable expertise. It is with great pleasure that I recognize Firefighter Paramedic Jennifer Noel, of the Shiloh County Fire Department for award of the ERT's Firefighter of the year.'