Posted on 02/29/2012 10:14:13 AM PST by jwsea55
How did I end up in Japan a month after the Fukushima disaster?
Life of late had been far more work than anything. With too much comp time, it was time for another adventure. Time to make it a series of adventures.
I started out in a place nicknamed paradise, Hawaii, the North Shore to be even more specific.
The North Shore in the winter times means big surf. With water in the 70s and the air in the 70s to 80s, how could this combo not be Paradise?
My next stop was two weeks in Tokyo and Kyoto. The only problem, this was only weeks after the tsunami ripping through the Fukushino nuclear plant. No problem. I should be able to get a refund on the airfare. That wasn’t in Travelocity’s financial view of the world.
Thus begins the journey of a fireman from Redondo Beach named Jim Caldwell.
This is my photo journal. Enjoy.
Tokyo & Kyoto Photolog by Jim Caldwell
Lived in Arashiyama, Kyoto for 3 years. Peace and serenity.
What is this “comp time” of which he speaks?
And how do you get A MONTH OF PAID TIME OFF
Next question about the month off, you couldn't pay me to do that job. His normal shift is 48 hours. He looks like he's ready for the grave after he has done a 4 day. Essentially he is on 4 days (96 hours) with the expectation of no sleep and a couple of naps during the day. Hope that answers your question.
How much would they have to pay you to do this? 
Plenty of firemen, have jobs that are pretty good over all.
Just as plenty of policemen, trashmen, utilitymen, etc....
I knew some firemen back in the 80's in Orange Co., CA...that worked a station that they rarely were called. They worked two days a week..48 hrs. Slept half of those hours...most of the time. And rarely were called out.
Most had other jobs...too. I don't fault them, I'd have done the same thing too.
And when they worked their job..it was very dangerous work. No doubt about it.
Things are different now some what...and different all over some what.
I know some firemen here in the town I live in..that don't make squat. Small town, little pay, little bennies. But not going ton's of calls either....And not union.
I have over 129 hrs’ of PTO....that’s nearly a month of “paid time off”...fwiw-
He says the worst part of his job is showing up to a suicide scene. I guess that is true for most of the cops I know, too.
God has given the better ones a special gift to still keep their kindness and humanity towards others while being able to immune themselves from some very gruesome reality of the the worse calls.
Hopefully, at least we can enjoy his pictures.
Jim’s thoughts as well.
Thanks for the post!
I agree that firefighters are brave and need to be paid well...
But some of them are RETIRING with $185K pensions in California
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