Flashover

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Fanfiction
Title: Flashover
Author(s): Tracy Finifter
Date(s): 22 Apr 1993 (online), 1994 (print)
Length:
Genre: gen
Fandom: Quantum Leap
External Links:

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Flashover is a gen Quantum Leap story written by Tracy Finifter.

It was posted to alt.tv.quantum-leap.creative in 1993. It was also printed in Leaps Unbound in 1994.

Summary

Sam must decide between saving a fellow firefighter or the young occupants of a burning home.

Author's Notes

First of, I'd like to help Beth Hlabse for helping me post this. It seems nothing I've posted to alt.ql.creative recently has made it beyond Rutgers.

Wow! We sure have a lot of great stuff going on here on alt.ql.creative.

And now, for your reading pleasure, here's my contribution to the cause, "Flashover". This story tries to do what Quantum Leap does best, that being ripping shamelessly off a movie ("Backdraft" this time). But whereas "Backdraft" contained some of the worst and most obviously fictionalized firefighting techniques I've ever seen, I'm making an effort to be a little more realistic in my portrayal of firefighters. I should know, I am one. [1]

[...]

Secondly, I guess "Flashover" now comes with the soon-to-be obligatory disclaimer, "This was written in the pre-"Mirror Image" universe.

Thirdly, and lastly, thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement and suggestions. I'll take all them to heart when I sit down for the rewrite. And for the firefighters reading this (or at least those familiar with the fire service), I hope you'll forgive the dramatic licenses I took at the end, especially with Sam finding himself on top of the ladder without a Scott pack on, but he didn't have time during the leap to learn how to wear one, and I figured fussing with one would be a bit much confusion for him to take. Maybe I'll work that in better in the rewrite. Also, I've never been in a situation quite as bad as that house fire, fortunately, so I had to play that part by ear.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it, and I'll be following up that leap-in shortly.

Keep Leaping... [2]

Parts

Reactions and Reviews

Tracy makes no secret of the fact that this is Backdraft-meets-QL, but written from real insider knowledge of the fire service. It would make a great episode. I LOVED Al's sleazy comment about his 'old' firefighter girlfriend. 'Her name was Kelly, and boy could she handle hose....' I always thought it was the fireman's pole. (Sorry). Sam gets wet a lot and generally Does His Best under trying and dangerous circumstances. Very good. [3]

References

  1. ^ from ql-archive
  2. ^ from ql-archive
  3. ^ by Philippa Chapman at Fanfic reviews? (August 19, 1998)