Laura wasn’t normally a risk taker but she knew in order for F.I.S., the main company in charge of Fireman’s safety, to take her research team’s new fire suit seriously they would have to make one heck of a demonstration. So here she was clothed in seven years of research, steps away from the fire lab. In just a few moments the demonstration would begin and all that would be between her and scorching flames would be the suit.
As she stepped into the chamber her heart started pounding with fear. She knew it was silly to be afraid. Her team had tested the suit dozens of times and never once had it faltered. So, with a deep breath and large smile for the audience, she stepped in the chamber and the fire began.
Seconds into the burn Laura started to sense there was something wrong. Cold air was being cycled through her fire suit yet there were beads of sweat dripping down her face. Suddenly, through the observation window, Laura saw two of her group members rush over to the control station. She knew something was wrong. The look of worry turned to panic and before she had time to react she heard a loud explosion by the door of the fire chamber. The pressurized latch had been broken by the force of the fire. The audience members ran for the exit, screaming with terror. Horrified, Laura realized the fire intensity had been set too high. Blinded by smoke and fire, Laura felt her way to the chamber exit but to her dismay the heavy metal door had fallen on its side making it impossible to escape. She was trapped.
The red light on her suit started furiously blinking. Laura knew this meant the suit would only protect her for about five more minutes. Dismissing her panic, she swept the room for something she could use to escape. On the wall behind the observation window she found a large fireproof rod, normally used to hold test equipment. Now, with a glimpse of hope and adrenalin running high, she smashed the bar against the observation window. Nothing happened. Again she smashed the bar on the window. Still nothing happened. Getting overwhelmed with frustration she threw the bar with every last bit of strength left in her body. Like the sweet sound of music she heard the bar crash through the window. Surprised by her own strength she flung herself through the broken glass. Free at last, she ran out of the flaming building just as the fire department arrived.
After safely removing the fire suit, Laura’s group greeted her with overwhelming relief. Although thoroughly traumatic, the demonstration was not given in vain. Once the fire subsided the head of F.S.I. approached Laura and her teammates. Surprisingly, he expressed interest in buying the technology showcased in the fire suit. He was sure if this suit could handle that nightmare it needed to be distributed to all fire stations.