The Man They Blame

Public Safety Committee.

“Please have a seat.” The man with the thin mustache pulled out a chair and opened the folder he was carrying as he invited the person across from him to sit down.

Inside the conference room, Fire Department Chief Page tried to remain calm as he faced an inquiry by the Public Safety Committee.

Seated next to the man with the thin moustache were the other committee members, who had begun to look up from the reports in their hands and were now staring at him.

The man with the thin mustache then cleared his throat, signaling that he had finished reading. His eyes lifted calmly toward Page. “Mr. Page, based on the investigation we’ve conducted, there are many factors that have been overlooked in our report this time.”

The investigators exchanged glances. Then one of them began to display his screen. “Here we found evidence that much of the firefighting equipment in Vendric County is in poor condition.”

The man pointed to several photos of evidence consisting of fire extinguishers: brittle hoses, clogged nozzles, jammed safety pins, rusty cylinders, and clumped, expired powder and foam.

In addition, fire alarm sensors were damaged and wires were severed. Hoses were leaking or moldy, and valves were rusted and jammed.

Their gazes sharpened. “Leaving them in this condition is a form of neglect of state tax funds.”

They saw that Page remained silent, tension evident on his face, but they were not intimidated in the least.

One of them continued. “Furthermore, you need to explain why there are gaps in the maintenance of the SCBA units.”

“Equally important, as the head of the Fire Department, you also need to explain why the plan to close Station 17 was never announced to the public?” The man with a thin mustache who was leading the investigation pressed him coldly.

Sweat drenched Page’s face. He swallowed hard, then wiped the sweat away.

He knew that if the department failed to secure the five million dollar matching funds that very day, the state government’s emergency wildfire grant would be forfeited.

Station 17 would be lost, and Page himself would be used as a scapegoat.

He looked at them amid the pressure. “We’ve maintained the equipment as best we could, but due to budget constraints from departmental cuts, we’ve kept the existing equipment as long as possible and maximized its use,” he argued.

The investigators weren’t immediately convinced, but they remained calm.

“One thing I can assure you is that we will keep Station 17—”

“Under these circumstances, how can you claim you’ll keep Station 17 open?” the man with the thin mustache cut Page off.

Page clenched his trembling fist. “We’ve found a way. Jacob West has agreed to donate five million dollars through a private foundation. We’ll use those funds to keep Station 17 open.”

He began to smile, confident that they believed him. Then he continued, “Meanwhile, the department will handle Derek Moss, the firefighter responsible for the incident.”

The committee members looked surprised. “Derek Moss?” The man with the thin mustache narrowed his eyes. “Isn’t Derek the firefighter who saved Jacob?”

Page’s eyes darted around frantically. “According to Captain Christian’s report, Derek acted recklessly on his own initiative, disobeyed orders, and worsened the condition of the man he rescued.”

Reportedly, Jacob was willing to donate as a token of appreciation for Derek’s efforts to save him, but only on the condition that Derek be fired from his job—that was what Christian had said, and Page understood.

Seeing them listening intently and looking sceptical, he nervously continued, “Jacob’s side demands a well-run institution. He wants discipline strictly enforced, and this is how we prove it.” Page framed the situation in a more favorable light.

Just then, Page’s assistant entered the room. “Sir, I’d like to inform you that representatives from the West Foundation have arrived.”

Page nodded. “All right, bring Derek into the conference room as well.”

He wanted to fire Derek in front of the foundation’s representatives to convince them.

Everyone entered the room, including Christian and Zack, who openly showed their delight at the prospect of seeing Derek lose his job.

Before the committee, Page fixed his gaze on Derek, who stood calmly before them. Taking control of the conference, he directed his attention squarely at Derek.

“Mr. Derek, do you admit that you disobeyed orders?”

It was not a question asked with uncertainty. The tone of his voice made it clear that he had already judged Derek guilty.

Derek met his gaze calmly. “I do not.” He slowly swept his eyes across everyone present. “As a firefighter, I acted in accordance with the established procedures under the emergency conditions that existed at the time.”

Page refused to listen. “Taking action without careful judgment and proper assessment constitutes negligence, Derek!” he declared loudly.

“Saving the victim was the judgment I made after assessing the situation—”

“You put the victim in the hospital because of your recklessness. Therefore, you are dismissed.” Page cut him off before he could finish speaking.

He then turned toward Victor with a courteous smile. “As you requested, sir, we have upheld strict discipline and proper regulations within this department. I hope the donation you promised can now be released.”

With obvious eagerness, Page handed a pen to Victor, expecting him to sign the donation transfer documents immediately.

But, Victor turned away from him. With utmost respect, he offered the pen to Derek instead. “Young Master, Mr. West has given clear instructions. The five-million-dollar emergency wildfire relief donation to Vendric County can only be released with your personal signature.”

Victor's words plunged the entire room into stunned silence.