Forum Home

Archived material => Get Well Wishes => Topic started by: bre346 on April 15, 2012, 11:24:22 AM

Title: New knowledge
Post by: bre346 on April 15, 2012, 11:24:22 AM
I learned me somethin' yesterday. I cain't do that no mo.
 
I responded to a call for volunteers to help search for an alzheimer patient. My squad was assigned three acres of high grass and brush. after ten minutes of lifting my feet over grass and hidden logs and falling again and again, I had to be helped up and out of the place. Someone brought me back to my car where I sat a while before creeping home and collapsing in the recliner. I had been no help at all. Well, shoot, I guess all good things have to come to an end.
Title: Re: New knowledge
Post by: b5.5dan on April 15, 2012, 01:27:35 PM
You helped by going out! Seriously, with your experience you should be delegating. That's what it's all about!
Title: Re: New knowledge
Post by: Rodolfo Fierro on April 15, 2012, 03:35:17 PM
Somebody should stay behind just in case the missing person shows up to see what all of the excitement is about.  Pace yourself.
Title: Re: New knowledge
Post by: b5.5dan on April 15, 2012, 04:18:46 PM
Somebody should stay behind just in case the missing person shows up to see what all of the excitement is about.  Pace yourself.
This is good advice. Secure the base of operations and send those with less value as irreplaceable information sources out into the brush. They can play in the grass anytime, but you are vital to the mission!

It reminds me of a joke. A young bull and an older, wiser bull are standing atop a grassy knoll looking down at a field full of cows. The younger bull says "Hey! Let's run down there and"... Well, this is a family-friendly forum...  :grin:
Title: Re: New knowledge
Post by: bre346 on April 15, 2012, 07:41:26 PM
Yeah, thanks.
I have had some training as an Incident Commander, but they already had a loose organization that was working. I'd have been more formal about planning. They  had already been searching for 30 hours.
I heard the lady was found this morning in a drain area near the railroad. People in a helicopter saw her dog and followed that to her. She's alive and safe again. And it has been raining since.
Now that I've had a pat on the back I may go again, but I will be more selective about what I do.
Title: Re: New knowledge
Post by: CZ04FT on April 15, 2012, 07:57:34 PM
We're all just glad that you are safe and unhurt. We know you'll continue to make a contribution and support your community. That's who you are.
Title: Re: New knowledge
Post by: chfields on April 15, 2012, 08:28:50 PM
Glad you are ok and that they found the lady alive, that is great news....
Title: Re: New knowledge
Post by: GhostWarrior on April 16, 2012, 11:33:13 AM
          You know as an incident commander or even a rank and file volunteer, I somehow have a feeling that you have been to your share of ERT and S&R's, which means you have seen folks from all ages at one time or another doing what they can. Basically the hold point is getting more folks into the field during an S&R so anyone that can search, searches, and those that can't stay back at the base camp and help out. Taking water to folks, directing new comers to the person they need to speak to. I have rarely seen a S&R at lasted 30 hrs. not to have folks come out with food or something to drink for the volunteers, then either stay or go back for another batch of whatever. We always needed folks to ride on the thrill seekers that come to gawk and not help.


       Yep I totally understand your frustration and sadness that you can't get out there and "man up" as they say. Hell I can't do that either anymore, but I still go with my gear, and I do whatever I can do around the base so that others that can search do so. I can't remember the last time I ever participated in an ERT or S&R that someone didn't get hurt and need some sort of medical aid, and sometimes there simply wasn't an EMT person or vehicle around.


        And even if they are stupid enough to turn down any help you provide then you know that you went out to help, and not just sit around to watch it on TV or do nothing. Maybe it's just me, but no matter who I'm taking to whether Service folks or volunteers, I thank them for what they did. They sometimes tell me that they were only cooks, or Mech, or paper pushers or whatever. I make a point of telling them that's not the point. The point is that they stepped up to the plate and did what they were asked to do or what they could do, and that’s what I'm thanking them for. Their service, and sometimes just those words will make folks glad they showed up or did/do what they were asked to do. Those folks are as special to me as the folks in the actuall search parties or the front lines. It's a royal drag finding out you got to old or to hurt to do what you used to do or want to do, Been there, done that, suffered the embarrassment. Still I go gear in hand and at the least offer or simply pitch in if there is no one obvious to ask or they appear too busy to interrupt.


        So cut the woe is me garage Sailor and show up the next time something happens. Big town or small there is never enough folks to do the job, I would think you of all folks would know that. I figured since you got called out to help that whatever S&R or ERT group called you, knows you so even if they aren't asking you to come and lead the way they are asking you to come and help anyway you can.
 
        You have got to be one of the ornress cusses I have ever met, sort of suprises me, you talking that way pilgram. :cool:
 
Title: Re: New knowledge
Post by: bre346 on April 16, 2012, 05:37:48 PM
Yessir, Smoke. I'm hearing it from my team leader too.
OK, I'll answer the phone, suit up and go.
Title: Re: New knowledge
Post by: GhostWarrior on April 16, 2012, 09:20:52 PM
Very well Sailor carry on. And Gods speed and followning Seas.
Title: Re: New knowledge
Post by: bre346 on April 21, 2012, 11:53:46 AM
Yes, God speed, fair winds and following seas.
Thanks, I love that.