TOC Talk – Three Floors Up

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A fictional but reality-based scenario from the Tactical Ops Center. This TOC Talk begins with an urban power failure — elevators frozen, stairwells dark, and an elderly neighbor stranded three floors up.

🏙️ Event: 20:11 – Apartment Building, City, USA | Grid Down – Elevators Inoperable, Stairwells Dark

The building sighed to a stop. Hallway lights blinked once, then nothing. Phones showed “SOS only.” Somewhere below, a child started crying. Above them, Ms. Ortega called out—she was on the third floor and alone.

📝 Jake’s Journal – 20:18

“City blackout. You can feel it in your teeth—the sudden quiet. Ellie squeezed my hand and asked about Ms. Ortega. Lisa was already grabbing headlamps.”

📋 Lisa’s Action Log

• Headlamps on; spare clipped to Jake’s collar
• First aid pouch, water bottle, light sling for small carry loads
• Checked stairwell—clear but unlit; counted steps/landings
• Told Ellie & Max: stay with Shadow, door locked; Nibbles secured
• Radio set to monitor—brief check-ins every 5 minutes

🪖 Major Dave – 20:24

Dave’s boots hit the stairwell like a metronome. Calm voice, steady beam. “Task is simple—reach, assess, assist, extract if needed. No heroics. Discipline first.”

He handed Jake a small loop sling: “If she can walk, this keeps balance. If not, we improvise a seat.”

🚪 Hallway Check-In – 20:31

• Third floor: Ms. Ortega breathing fast, lightheaded—low water, skipped dinner
• Neighbor at 3B offered tea lights, no flashlight
• Another neighbor tried the elevator button again. Dave didn’t comment—just looked at the stairs

Lisa sat Ms. Ortega down, small sip of water, checked meds in her pocket. “We’ll go slow. You set the pace.”

🏗️ Descent – 20:42

• Jake ahead, lighting each step/landing
• Dave alongside with sling assist, calling cadence: “Step. Breathe. Step.”
• Lisa behind to spot and talk—steady, patient, no rush words

Halfway down, voices rose from below as others gathered. Someone asked, “Should we wait?” Dave kept moving: “Life safety first. Waiting is a decision too.”

✅ Outcome – Ground Floor, Stable

• Ms. Ortega assisted to lobby seating; vitals steadier after water/snack
• Neighbors saw the process—stair plan, lighting, cadence, calm
• Building remained dark; families formed ad-hoc stair teams
• No injuries, no falls, no panic

Jake’s note: “Three floors felt like a mile, but the plan made it simple. That’s the point.”

🔗 Related Pages & Gear

• Natural Disaster Kit: Tornado
• 72-Hour GoBag Checklist
• Emergency Comms & Power Checklist
• First Aid / Medical Supplies Kit

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