Rory (Hope City #7) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,11
no problem jerking someone’s chain when that was required as well. A flashback of approaching his father when he knew he’d been caught screwing up hit him. He searched his mind to see if he could remember a reason why the chief would need him but came up empty.
“You requested to see me, sir?”
“Sit down, McBride,” the chief said, chuckling. “You can take it easy. You’re not in trouble.”
“Thank God, sir.” He grinned in return, dropping quickly into the chair in front of the desk, maintaining an erect posture. The Army’s habits were hard to break.
Chief Marks had an open file on his desk and he peered down at the contents before lifting his gaze, holding it squarely on Rory. “You handled everything from burns to gunshot wounds in Afghanistan, but the road to transitioning from a Sixty-eight Whiskey back to the civilian world isn’t easy.”
Rory nodded at the chief’s words, but since they were true, he had no comment. As an Army Combat Medic, he’d handled complex medical and emergency situations, but becoming certified as an EMT or paramedic back in the states was difficult. Licensing, educational credits for past work, and reciprocity, just to name a few roadblocks.
“Of course, it’s a lot better now that the military requires a National Registry of EMT certification. Your scores were exceptional, and now that you’ve completed your one-hundred-fifty hours of training, I’m pleased to let you know that you’ll soon receive your EMT certification. We should get the official paperwork later this week, and if you still want to join the Hope City EMS department, I’ve got a temporary position in this station. Frank broke his wrist over the weekend and had surgery. He’ll be off rotation for about two months. Once he’s back, the Captain at Clifton Street Station has an EMT that has given notice. She’s moving to Texas with her husband and I’ve recommended you for the position.”
The air rushed from his lungs and a smile burst forth, unable to be hidden. “Sir, I… well, I can’t thank you enough!”
Chief Marks waved his hand dismissively. “You put in the work. You did your tour of duties in the Army as a certified combat medic, then completed what you needed as well as volunteered with the fire department. This is entirely on you, son.”
“I know, sir, but the opportunity to be able to move from volunteer here to a paid position is more than I hoped for.”
“It works for all of us. You’re used to this station and the people. I’m shifting a few people around since Frank is out. You’ll be assigned to Carlotta. She’s got seniority. She’s smart and you’ll do well with her until you transfer to Clifton Street.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now, about your paramedic training. Still taking classes?”
“Yes, sir,” he replied, once more.
“HC wants to encourage advancement in training. Now that you’ll be an employee of the city, you’ll have the opportunity for on-the-job training that will count for certification. You’ll also have time off and schedule arrangements for the classes you’ll be taking. Your military training allowed you to step into an EMT position, but you’ll find the demands on your time to become a paramedic to be severe. But the employment opportunities are good. With your firefighting certification also, you can be assigned to an ambulance and as a firefighter-slash-paramedic.”
“I’m ready, sir. There’s nothing in my life that’ll impede working toward my goals.”
Chief Marks nodded then smiled as he hefted out of his chair with his hand stuck out. “Glad to hear it, McBride. Welcome aboard Barker Street Station as a full EMT for the next two months.”
Clasping his chief’s hand in his, he grinned widely. It was all he could do to keep from running out of the office, yelling his excitement. Instead, he quickly placed a call.
“Erin? Guess who’s a newly hired EMT!”
The excited squeal from his twin met his ears. Erin had joined the Army at the same time he did. She had gotten out shortly after him, ready to return to Hope City as well. She had chosen to become an Army medic also but had seemed lost when she first came home. A specter of sadness had filled her, and she had kept her thoughts to herself, only beginning to unburden her experiences to their oldest sister, Tara. She’d recently worked on her certification for nursing aide and acceptance into nursing school.
“Rory, I had no doubt you’d make it,” she assured.
“Well, the even better news is that they want me