Read on Twitter
"B.C. has a comprehensive network of highly-skilled search and rescue teams, but most of it is volunteer-run."
What's the "but" for here?
BC teams are professional, and are among the best in the world, providing a service that no paid group could equal. https://beta.ctvnews.ca/local/british-columbia/2020/12/12/1_5228783.html
What's the "but" for here?
BC teams are professional, and are among the best in the world, providing a service that no paid group could equal. https://beta.ctvnews.ca/local/british-columbia/2020/12/12/1_5228783.html
Our organization needs to avoid this "but we're just volunteers" messaging at all costs.
For decades the strategy has always been "call us early, don't hesitate" but then we introduce confounding facts that make people think twice.
For decades the strategy has always been "call us early, don't hesitate" but then we introduce confounding facts that make people think twice.
I know the goal of the above article is to implore people to be more careful but, respectfully, it doesn't work.
Everyone we rescue already thinks they are "being careful"
Hyping the risk we take to rescue people introduces reluctance to call us in the people who do listen.
Everyone we rescue already thinks they are "being careful"
Hyping the risk we take to rescue people introduces reluctance to call us in the people who do listen.
Like seriously, do you see fire safety professionals saying "don't light fires, look how tired our firefighters are. Think of the risk they take when running into your house"
Absolutely not.
Backcountry safety needs to concentrate on information NOT guilting people.
Absolutely not.
Backcountry safety needs to concentrate on information NOT guilting people.
The fact is, every volunteer is there by choice. Unlike a job, they can quit or even refuse an "order" AT ANY TIME.
We love rescuing people and our system has NEVER been "stressed to the limit"
We provide a service that is as fast as comprehensive as any in the world
We love rescuing people and our system has NEVER been "stressed to the limit"
We provide a service that is as fast as comprehensive as any in the world
In summary:
ANY message that highlights the risk to searchers creates a reluctance to call SAR and questions our ability to respond
ANY message that we're "just volunteers" questions our skill level and creates reluctance to call SAR
ANY message that highlights the risk to searchers creates a reluctance to call SAR and questions our ability to respond
ANY message that we're "just volunteers" questions our skill level and creates reluctance to call SAR
GUILT-based messaging is not effective
DO:
* highlight the risk to the public
* stress the need to be prepared
* reinforce that SAR is FREE
* stress the need to call early
* validate that we're highly skilled, professional and some of the best in the world.
DO:
* highlight the risk to the public
* stress the need to be prepared
* reinforce that SAR is FREE
* stress the need to call early
* validate that we're highly skilled, professional and some of the best in the world.
