Author Topic: So....why might a mountain rescue team refuse a call-out?  (Read 5064 times)

jimbob

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Re: So....why might a mountain rescue team refuse a call-out?
« Reply #15 on: 19:46:33, 24/07/18 »
I've yet to see any MRT say that they think they should charge for their service or that they would like to be run by the government.
I agree Ridge They do it because they want to. However there are times when  it would be better for equipment, training proper 24/7 cover and a widening of the remit which would benefit all. 

Other countries can do it, they tend to have a full time fire and rescue service. Personally I think that is what I would like to see. Integrate the air/ sea  search and rescue into this rather than paying private companies to do so for profit. Air water support for widespread fires could also be integrated.
Dyffryn money will be abused by idiots whether that money is through voluntary donations or through the taxpayer.  The selfish and the thoughtless do not discriminate in their me, me world. Wasting  a volunteers time has no consequences, if the service become a taxpayer led service then the matter could be dealt with in criminal courts same as wasting Fire service or police time.
Too little, too late, too bad......

Petrolhead

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Re: So....why might a mountain rescue team refuse a call-out?
« Reply #16 on: 20:00:50, 24/07/18 »
I  don't agree, because I do know people who just wouldn't call in that situation when it was absolutely the right time to do so.
In Spain they close off oaths in times of bad weather and it is publicized that call outs will cost a lot. For instance the Napoleon Route over the Pyrenees is closed between November and the end of march, and if you choose to go the other route and get caught or get into difficulties you will be charged, this is a law in Navarre.
If you are found on the closed route you will get a fine that can go up to 12.000€… If you need to be rescued, you can add the cost of the rescue party, which will be entirely yours to pay.:
 
  • 30€/h for each rescue worker
  • 65€/h for the ambulance
  • 30€/h for any other vehicle
  • 1.360€/h for air rescue
  • 1.400€/h for a rescue helicopter
  • Personally I would only agree to charges if routes and public were closed paths in times of bad weather.

    But as many members of MRS are aware that they give their time and expertise freely. If they do not want to help idiots then they will quickly leave the service.
    There is an argument that by volunteering they are allowing the Government off the hook since, in my opinion,  they should be paid for and supported by us the taxpayer. (So should the RNLI)
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  • Jim that's cool mate, I don't agree with you either!


     ;D


    To me that's just pandering to stupidity in the other direction. If someone is going to try and walk down a mountain on a broken ankle because they don't want to call out the rescue service then that's their look out in my opinion. However I'm sure there would be many many less of those sort though. In my experience badly broken bones have a way of giving you some very good clarity!


     :)


    I've had to use helicopters for filming work and I'm well aware of the costs to get anything in the air for any use. As soon as it becomes highly specialised it jumps through the roof. With good reason.


    And that's exactly my point. If we can make stupid people think twice before doing stupid things, all the better I think. And if they're going to go ahead and do it anyway, then absolutely they should be accountable. Obviously there is some grey area, like if there was someone up there who had behavioural or emotional issues, that's a different story of course. But for the most part, it's us as a nation pampering and nannying these idiots that makes them think it's ok. If suddenly faced with a £10k bill, they might think before hand a bit... hopefully.


    Closing places to the public. I'm not so sure on this one. Maybe a permit system would be better. As a for instance, I don't know your skill level but there's a fair chance it's a good bit better than mine. There may be outings in bad weather that I wouldn't dream of, nor be capable of, yet you might be able to run up there. Why should you not be allowed to do it because I stupidly went ahead and did it anyway and got myself into a situation? Ha, or just got wet!


    As for the government and tax bit... that's a double edged sword. Absolutely of course they should be sorting things out and paying the experts accordingly but they don't and we have what we have. However, if the government was to take over, something will have to lose money to pay for it, it's not like they'll organise themselves and find some way of stopping wasting money to pay for it... Plus there will then be targets and other silly systems in place. ETA: Your point about proper training and equipment is a good one, but you only need to look at the state of some of the services the government provide to have a very clear indicator that it's not for certain it would be the big boost in the quality of the service we'd hope it would be...


    It's probably a LOT better as it is, just that no one should have to volunteer and not get adequate renumeration for the immensely difficult work they do and the situations they put themselves in.


    Bloody amazing job these folks do. I absolutely take my hat off to them and feel that anyone taking the mickey of of such an incredible service should have a rocket up their backside!
       
       
       
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    « Last Edit: 20:29:58, 24/07/18 by Petrolhead »

    jimbob

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    Re: So....why might a mountain rescue team refuse a call-out?
    « Reply #17 on: 00:39:30, 25/07/18 »
    I was led to believe that they decided to pass the law to close down routes to protect the rescuers.

    MRT give great  service but so do the police and fire brigade who are usually first port of call in these situations, (through the999 service) .Looking at the stats it is usually they who contact MRT for help.

    Too little, too late, too bad......

    Dyffryn Ardudwy

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    Re: So....why might a mountain rescue team refuse a call-out?
    « Reply #18 on: 12:49:06, 25/07/18 »
    Visit Switzerland, where they have proper mountains.
    A friend of mine doing the Jungfrau marathon for the seventh year running, was deemed too tired to complete the event in the allotted time.

    The event has medical staff in its latter stages, and their decision is final.

    Helicopter was called in, and a handsome £400 charge for being taken back to Interlarken.


    Is it any wonder that migrants from Europe, want to come to the Uk, when everything here is handed over on a plate.

    There was no questions asked regarding not couching up the readies,  the Mountain rescue service in Switzerland charge you for the pleasure,  and rightly so.
    « Last Edit: 13:03:21, 25/07/18 by Dyffryn Ardudwy »

    jimbob

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    Re: So....why might a mountain rescue team refuse a call-out?
    « Reply #19 on: 13:53:31, 25/07/18 »
    [quote author=Dyffryn Ardudwy link=topic=36774.msg524650#msg524650 date=1532519346
    Is it any wonder that migrants from Europe, want to come to the Uk, when everything here is handed over on a plate.

    Could that be the exact same plate that the natives take advantage of. Especially those who avoid paying their dues, either by tax avoidance or evasion, or just plain corrupt practices.
    Too little, too late, too bad......

    sussamb

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    Re: So....why might a mountain rescue team refuse a call-out?
    « Reply #20 on: 14:29:19, 25/07/18 »
    Well said. Far more Brits fall into that category than immigrants  O0
    Where there's a will ...

    Dyffryn Ardudwy

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    Re: So....why might a mountain rescue team refuse a call-out?
    « Reply #21 on: 14:35:09, 25/07/18 »
    I totally agree, benefits are handed out, even to people who have shown little effort to find work, and its an unfortunate fact that in certain areas of the Uk, families are better off on benefits than looking for work.

    You and I are paying them to lounge about, when they could be given work.

    I am not saying get rid of the safety net, as certain people cannot work due to disability, but there are thousands who scrounge off the state, paid by us who work hard.

    Off topic i know, but i had to get it off my chest, seeing people milk the welfare state makes my blood boil.

     

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