Paying to be rescued?

[swbarnett]

What would you prefer....that they didnt search for them when tis possible someone could be in a whole world of trouble??

When is it NOT possible someone could be in a whole world of trouble??

[rachprice]

When is it NOT possible someone could be in a whole world of trouble??

Yeah I guess....just having done some kayaking myself, if I saw an upturned boat in a swollen river I would assume the worst also. I don't believe that the people who made the decision to call a search made the wrong one.

[Jantar]

..What would you prefer....that they didnt search for them when tis possible someone could be in a whole world of trouble?? A helipcopter is probably the quickest and best way to search for someone in a swollen river where time would be of the essence!

But it should be the police to make that call, not the harbourmaster.

[Jantar]

Yeah I guess....just having done some kayaking myself, if I saw an upturned boat in a swollen river I would assume the worst also. I don't believe that the people who made the decision to call a search made the wrong one.

So would you call the police, or would you ring the helicopter company yourself?

[swbarnett]

Yeah I guess....just having done some kayaking myself, if I saw an upturned boat in a swollen river I would assume the worst also. I don't believe that the people who made the decision to call a search made the wrong one.

I agree and applaud their compassion.

What I don't like is the ascertion that the rescuee is responsible for initiating the rescue and all costs involved. Even if a person is in trouble and asks to be rescued the responsibility for the decision to actually perform the rescue lies with the rescuer.

[Drunken Monkey]

Then nobody should be billed for that service, that is something we all have to accept and pay for out of the tax pool.

[swbarnett]

Then nobody should be billed for that service,

Definately, nobody should ever be "billed" for a rescue. If someone did that to me they woulld never see a cent. However, if I was sent a cost breakdown for the rescue and asked to contribute what I can then they would definately see some money coming their way (you catch more flies with honey).

If, as a private individual, I decide to rescue someone then I take on the responsibility for all personal costs associated with this. For example, if I decide to drive someone to a hospital I will pay for the petrol.

If, as a member of a rescue organisation (fire, police, rescue chopper service etc.), I decide to rescue someone then the organisation I belong to takes on the responsibility for all costs associated with my part of the rescue (this is the decision the organisation made when I was hired for this job). The organisation must decide, in advance, how to build up a reserve of money to fund future rescues. Be it through tax bassed funding, donations or some other income stream.

that is something we all have to accept and pay for out of the tax pool.

Yes and no.

This is our choice as a tax paying society. As a collective we must decide just how much money we are willing to contribute. If this is insufficient to maintain a particular rescue service and they cannot get the money elsewhere then that service will cease to exist. Society has made the decision (informed or not) that that form of rescue is not worth the financial cost.

There comes a point where each individual must decide how much of their lifestyle they are willing to sacrifice so that someone else may live. At the extreme we must ask ourselves "am I willing to starve so that someone else may live?". This applies equally to all forms of tax funding - health, education, emergency services. Even what quality of road we're willing to pay for.

[rachprice]

But it should be the police to make that call, not the harbourmaster.

Was it? I didn't quite catch that, I assumed it was the search and rescue team (run through the police generally)

So would you call the police, or would you ring the helicopter company yourself?

The police....didn't realise it was a private search

I agree and applaud their compassion.

What I don't like is the ascertion that the rescuee is responsible for initiating the rescue and all costs involved. Even if a person is in trouble and asks to be rescued the responsibility for the decision to actually perform the rescue lies with the rescuer.

I never said I think they should pay...only commented that I have been in situations where they have and that I think given the circumstances calling a search was the right decision, if gone through the correct system (search and rescue)

[swbarnett]

I never said I think they should pay...only commented that I have been in situations where they have and that I think given the circumstances calling a search was the right decision, if gone through the correct system (search and rescue)

Understood and agreed.