Rollover Simulator....

Well we started training the first day here. Zero to a hundred on Monday. We spent the day in rollover simulator. Basically it is a box that is built like a hum v inside and spins. They put a crew of four in the hummer and put us through five different scenarios. Each one teaching the basics of how to escape a vehicle that has rolled. The first was an orientation, the second they spun us about five times and put us upside down and then we have to find the door that opens and get ourselves out. The third, spun us again about five times and this time we were on the side and have to egress through the top of the hummer. The forth, spin again five times, and once again on the side and have to egress through the gunners hatch on the top and then the fifth was spin again and then upside down, this time with a casualty and removing him from the hummer. All good training and kind of like a carnival ride. Busy day but good time. I actually went twice!! All is well, we are safe, but beat tired all ready!! Updates to follow.......

Punching out to Cali this weekend....

Well, our admin week has went very smoothly. They are telling us we should be headed to 29 Palms this weekend where we will settle in and begin our training on Monday. I have attached a picture of where 29 Palms is located so that everyone has an idea where we will be. We should be there for a few months and they are telling us we will be on a six day work week until December. Then some leave to go home for the holidays and then off to our final destination. So very easy this week. Just getting back into the active duty mentality. Taking advantage of my evenings off just relaxing. So all is well and on to our next stage.

The Journey Has Begun

Leaving home has been tough. I never thought I would return to active duty after leaving the military thirteen years ago. I realized in the last few days that no matter what age you are, no matter what you have, whom your friends or family is or what job you have....saying goodbye is never easy. So, with that we are now in Camp LeJune, North Carolina for a few days doing basic admin processing. This is basically the process to put reservists on active duty. Yes there are actually two different services, the reserve side and the active duty side. Funny thing is we don't actually "change hats" as someone might say, I'm still wearing the same uniform, hmmm..... We will be here for three to five days to process paperwork, then they will fly us to meet up with the Marines out in 29 Palms, Cali. All is well, we are all here safely after flying in two puddle jumpers to NC. These guys will be my immediate family now, we will be getting each other through some tough times ahead. A lot of the guys will end up being friends for life. With that I must unpack my seabag to find my uniform for tomorrow. Oh...Mailing address:

HM2 Rimkus, J.E.
Weapons Company, 2/24
Box 788605
29 Palms, CA. 92278

My Last Fire

Well yesterday was the last day for me at the firehouse before I go off to serve my country. This morning about 4:30am or so the call came in. We had a still at 5715 S. Damen. As we were rolling down the street, getting dressed in the rig, sirens going, horn blowing, I had that gut feeling we had a fire. Over the radio the alarm office gave the companies assigned to the Chief and assigned RIT companies. The engine reported on the scene and told the office they had a fire in a 1 &1/2 story frame building. As we pulled up we had flames coming from the back of the house with a pretty good amount of smoke. I jumped off the rig, put the outriggers out while my partner Mike got dressed and then we headed to the roof. It was all kind of surreal to me. Up on the roof we did what Mike had taught me to do over the last few years. Get the roof open so the guys inside get some relief. We cut some holes and as the smoke pushed out the openings we made I really got this was my last fire for now. The view up there was as great as it was the first time, only this time I was not as nervous or scared. Early morning, clear sky, sunrise just beginning, sitting on the peak chopping with yellow-orange flames licking around the eves, living my dream. When we were done we put the ladders back on the main, climbed into the basket and got ready to head back to the ground. Mike stood back from the controls and said, "Take us down Joe, this will probably be your last time." I may be promoted when I get back so it truly may be my last time on the roof. As I took us down, I choked back the tears and told Mike, thank you for teaching me the last few years, I've had a lot of fun here. When we got on the ground, I walked to the cab, took off my gear and put my tools back on the rig. When I turned around there were about six or seven guys in a line all taking their turns giving me a hug and wishing me safety. That was tough. This is my family. I just want to thank all of you guys for the last ten years on the CFD, all the stories, experiences, fires and forever jagging. Thank you to all the guys of E-123, TL-39, Batt-19, Ambo-8, E-116, Squad-5, E-88, E-129, T-50, Batt-20 and E-103 for all the good times over the years. I will miss you all while I am gone....but I will be back and Rocco I want Reubens my first day back damn it!!

Days are Coming Fast

Well, I have officially spent the last few days just living. Hmmm...all this time over the last couple years working to get myself caught up and I forgot how great it is to just experience each day and time I spend with people. I think that we sometimes get so caught up in daily routines that we forget what is important. Even though we may originally create them out of necessity we forget how we were before we started that routine. I spent time on the Harley, just riding to ride again, I spent two days grilling and cooking, something I so love but haven't made the time for until lately. Funny, I actually have a full refrigerator now and am leaving in two weeks. Natalie, hopefully there is some stuff in there you might like. I spent a couple nights with my close friend at our local watering hole, and really got how nice it is to be known there like family. It is like a symbol of home. I can walk in and the owners, bartenders and some regulars are like "Hey Firemanjoe", and my drink is ready at the bar before I sit down. It's the little things I will miss. Talking with the neighbors about condo business or who is moving in to our building. The talks with the barista at Starbucks about how our neighborhood is changing. Waiting in the longest line at Dominicks just to talk to my favorite cashier about her life. The view from my balcony and the sunsets. Going to the fhse every three days to be jagged by the best guys in the world. I'm going to miss my brothers!! My family and close friends and Melanie. Thank you for spending time with me the last couple days. Life will be different for awhile, not bad, just different. I will come home once again revived with a different view on life. I will once again be truly thankful for what we have here. The days are coming fast......