Responding to a Call-Out (RB324)

...I might be willing to respond on something like the Northridge quake, where there is no damage in my area. However I am not about to leave my home unprotected, without gas, electricity, water or telephone if there is looting and civil unrest and the police are stretched so thin that they cannot adequately cope."

Comments: In an emergency, our first concern is rightly that of our family or other personal priority. There are and can be instances where it is inappropriate to respond to any aspect of a call-out. There are those, however, who have prepared their families in what to do and how to cope so that they can respond to a duty station and stay as long as needed (with adequate rest periods interspersed as appropriate.) Such people will literally go around almost any barrier to respond to the local need if that is expected of them and they have been trained for that response level. Essentially it depends on our personal situation, perspective and preparedness; physical as well as mental. It's our choice!

It may not be possible to make preparations for every eventuality, but it starts with our personal view point. There is no "right" or "wrong" perspective or reaction. Each must chose. Experience does show that there are those whose dedication is at such a level that the concerns expressed are transcended by their own choice. It depends on ones personal priorities. There are instances of response in face of total personal loss, as well as all conditions in between. Again: it's your choice. Whatever you chose is right for you.