At the end of the story mrs delacroix selects a huge stone and urges mrs dunbar to hurry explain why this is ironic or unexpected.

Afirefighter is a rescuer extensively trained in firefighting, primarily to extinguish hazardous fires that threaten life, property and the environment as well as to rescue people and animals from dangerous situations.  just cut some parts to make them shorter and add some of your facts or what describes them most. or what they are supposed to do.

Evoke strong feelings, to create an impression, or for comic  effect. it is not meant to be taken literally.  hyperbole  is quite common in poetry and everyday speech to convey emphasis.