Public Services in SHTF

[Ripon83]

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/01/136864398/after-suicide-calif-town-reviews-emergency-policies

Don't worry the policies have now been updated. The fire department won't stand by and watch you die like they did this guy. You can all feel better and safe now.

[tacticalcity]

Why are you expecting somebody to "save" you to begin with? Why are you not finding ways to save yourself? This is real life brother. Not a Hollywood movie.

With this particular incident what the story does not tell you is...

1) The man was committing suicide.
2) The fire department do not have the proper equipment and or training to attempt water rescues.

The also do not tell you that the court has ruled that police officers (and other public officials) cannot be held liable if the fail to save you. In fact, they do not even need to make an attempt. So if you call 911 because somebody is breaking into your home, and they are too busy to send a car...well that is just too darn bad. Never mind that the odds the police could ever get there in time, even if they do respond, are not in your favor.

Two great quotes instantly pop into my mind when people talk about their dependence upon police, firemen, and others in general...

1) The lord helps those who help themselves.
2) Arm yourself for no one else here will save you.

The concept that the only person looking out for me, is me really hit home with me when I was 19. I was assigned to the middle east. While taking a tour of the ancient city of Petra in Jordan, I traded my watch for hand made wallet. This trade was made at the request of the merchant, a young man roughly my age. While walking out the narrow corridor to exit the city, four armed me including the merchant came riding up on horseback and encircled me. My comrades, all military just kept right on walking. As did our two armed military escorts. I tried to protest. Pointing out the trade was the merchants idea, and not mine. Unarmed, outnumbered I gave them back the wallet. When asked for my watch back they laughed and rode off. There is no doubt they would have taken the wallet back with force if I had resisted any further. From that point forward I knew the only person I could depend on to protect me, was myself and that counting on friends and comrades to stick their neck out for you would only lead to disappointment, and possibly get you killed.

The upside to the event is now I have an Indiana Jones like story in a place where they shot an Indiana Jones movie. That and I am considerably more prepared and capable of looking out for myself.

[Ripon83]

Then why do we pay taxes? I understand if the cops are too busy to come to my aid. I get it if the fire trucks are all out there helping someone else. They stood by and watched the man die for over 30 minutes and DID NOTHING. A volunteer (without equipment or training) swam out and recovered the mans body by himself. Not one firemen, not two, and in fact the Alameda County Fire Dept has issued a statement noting they had "boats" and "crews" available but were not called.

My point regarding SHTF is to illustrate your point - don't count on your fire department or police department. If their union doesn't permit it - you won't be protected.