Crook and Ladder

"Crook and Ladder" is the nineteenth episode of Season 18.

Synopsis
Homer, Moe, Apu and Principal Skinner become volunteer firefighters. But just because the boys are not getting their salary doesn't mean that they can't find a way to receive compensation.

Full Story
Marge, following the advice of a parenting magazine, takes away Maggie's pacifier, leading Maggie to destroy the inside of the Simpson home. Marge decides to get Maggie a new pacifier, but she cannot find the right brand; then Maggie cries. Luckily, Santa's Little Helper gives Maggie his squeaky toy that not only calms Maggie down, but also leads to Homer being unable to sleep. He takes sleeping pills and becomes a fat, suggestible zombie dad. One night, Bart and Milhouse take advantage of him by having him take them places. Homer then wakes up while driving, causing him to crash into the Fire Department, injuring all the firemen and landing them in the hospital. While they recuperate, Homer, Apu, Moe, and Principal Skinner become volunteer firefighters. After the first few fires, they are rewarded for saving the buildings. They then save Mr. Burns' house, but he gives them no reward. Feeling cheated, they decide to steal some of his treasures, covering their tracks by claiming they were destroyed by the fire. From then on, they start taking items from the places they save for their payment. After Marge and the kids see Homer stealing, Marge gets them to make a very sad face. Everywhere he goes, the kids come out of nowhere to show him how sad they are. After the sad faces begin to get annoying, he decides to stop, and convinces the others to stop, after saving Moe's and Apu's life. They then give all of their loot to the homeless.