Florence

[Wayne M.]

Prayers to all who are confronted with this monster. It’s supposed to go pretty far inland!

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I saw some areas got 30" of rain. That equals to 3 years of rain for where I live.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

We’ve been waiting in Raleigh for the last two days. It appears to have really downgraded.

 

[Wayne M.]

It’s incredible how slow this is moving. It’s just a rain factory. Noah’s Ark proportions it seems.

 

[fest3er]

There's a high pressure ridge up the west side of the Appalachians that prevents it from going north-ish west-ish. The jet streams (upper level steering currents) were directing it southwest-ish even though it naturally wanted to go northeast; now they've changed and are pretty much blocking the storm from going anywhere. I suspect it's now going to ease north-ish, then northeast-ish up the coast, then probably head out to sea.

At least it's down to a tropical storm.

 

[GAmes]

It is a travesty that tax dollars are being used to rescue the morons who had several days of warnings.

 

[Tractorat]

They can just thank God that it quickly downgraded to a cat 1 from a 4 before it actually hit. Lots of rain, but not the wind.

 

[JR]

They can just thank God that it quickly downgraded to a cat 1 from a 4 before it actually hit. Lots of rain, but not the wind.

Unfortunately rain is responsible for more damage than wind when it comes to hurricanes when speaking averages. Not looking good for those involved in the flood zone .

 

[jgillott]

It is a travesty that tax dollars are being used to rescue the morons who had several days of warnings.

Not to mention the safety of the rescuers.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

It is a travesty that tax dollars are being used to rescue the morons who had several days of warnings.

I am a first responder and part of a swift water rescue crew and "I approve this message"

 

[jgillott]

I don't know if any of you came across this today. Possibly a little "Drama" added by the Weather Channel.

https://triblive.com/usworld/world/...orence-winds-as-2-guys-calmly-walk-behind-him

 

[Deleted member 995608]

F

I don't know if any of you came across this today. Possibly a little "Drama" added by the Weather Channel.

https://triblive.com/usworld/world/...orence-winds-as-2-guys-calmly-walk-behind-him

Fake news

 

[jgillott]

F


Fake news

Anything for ratings I guess. Shameful to take advantage of a situation like this.

 

[jhenderson]

It is my firm belief that any fire or police chief who sends rescue personnel into any life threatening situation where citizens have been previously ordered to evacuate should be immediately fired. Civilians have no right to ask someone to risk death or injury because they’re too stupid to take care of themselves. The attitude of people like this is one of the reasons I turned in my gear after 25 years as a volunteer. I finally lost my patience and cherub like demeanor when dealing with the general public.

 

[jgillott]

It is my firm belief that any fire or police chief who sends rescue personnel into any life threatening situation where citizens have been previously ordered to evacuate should be immediately fired. Civilians have no right to ask someone to risk death or injury because they’re too stupid to take care of themselves. The attitude of people like this is one of the reasons I turned in my gear after 25 years as a volunteer. I finally lost my patience and cherub like demeanor when dealing with the general public.

Trust me when I tell you that I have heard your frustrations from hundreds of Fire Fighters, EMS, and Police officers over the years. It is unfortunately a reality of our times.

I try and keep in mind that there is often an innocent person (unable to evacuate due to illness, dementia, etc.) that gets caught up in the mess. It's nearly impossible to turn your back on the innocent, even when you are frustrated by those who could have got out on their own.

The major problem comes in when the rescuer develops tunnel vision and puts themselves in eminent danger to complete a rescue. Every rescue class I have ever taught begins with a lecture on Safety First. If you can't keep yourself safe, you can't make an efficient rescue. Do they listen.....most likely not. But I hope that my words are in the back of their mind to be careful and put their safety first.

 

[Wayne M.]

I don't know if any of you came across this today. Possibly a little "Drama" added by the Weather Channel.

https://triblive.com/usworld/world/...orence-winds-as-2-guys-calmly-walk-behind-him

Yes I did see. For shame!

 

[jhenderson]

Trust me when I tell you that I have heard your frustrations from hundreds of Fire Fighters, EMS, and Police officers over the years. It is unfortunately a reality of our times.

I try and keep in mind that there is often an innocent person (unable to evacuate due to illness, dementia, etc.) that gets caught up in the mess. It's nearly impossible to turn your back on the innocent, even when you are frustrated by those who could have got out on their own.

The major problem comes in when the rescuer develops tunnel vision and puts themselves in eminent danger to complete a rescue. Every rescue class I have ever taught begins with a lecture on Safety First. If you can't keep yourself safe, you can't make an efficient rescue. Do they listen.....most likely not. But I hope that my words are in the back of their mind to be careful and put their safety first.

Show me just one of those “ innocent “ people on the news. You and I both know if they were there the cameras would have been 6 deep to cover the human suffering. What percentage of so called rescues involved someone who couldn’t get out on their own before the storm hit? Everyone shown so far was perfectly able to care for themselves and should have been left to do so. Even worse is the fact they’re willing to go on camera and tell the story of their stupidity. Somebody needs to explain to these jerks that winning the Darwin Award isn’t something to celebrate.

 

[jgillott]

Show me just one of those “ innocent “ people on the news. You and I both know if they were there the cameras would have been 6 deep to cover the human suffering. What percentage of so called rescues involved someone who couldn’t get out on their own before the storm hit? Everyone shown so far was perfectly able to care for themselves and should have been left to do so. Even worse is the fact they’re willing to go on camera and tell the story of their stupidity. Somebody needs to explain to these jerks that winning the Darwin Award isn’t something to celebrate.

As I said earlier, I have fielded this question 100's of times. It's actually interesting that you mentioned Darwin. That normally comes up in this subject.

When we address this subject, I always ask the question "What is the litmus test that you will use to determine if someone is worthy of a rescue?"

I get answers like "If someone was so stupid to stay, then they don't deserve to be rescued. Let them figure it out on their own" or "Well, they were probably waiting around so they could go looting, so I'm not risking my life for them" or "Darwin at its finest".

They I ask, OK how do you identify the looters from the idiots or the crackheads from the future Darwin award winners? Do we issue Red vests to the looters, blue to the idiots, green to the crackheads, and yellow to the Darwin award finalists so that you can tell from a distance who is worthy of your efforts? What if someone doesn't have a vest? How what category do you put them in? Then I ask, what if it was your kid or your mother in a bind, would you not want someone to rescue them?

Here's the simple truth, sometimes people just get themselves in a jam. It could be their fault, they could be completely innocent, or it could be somewhere in between. I am not going to be the judge as to who is worthy of saving and who isn't. I treat them all as if they were my family, those I love. It keeps my clarity in stressful situation, allows me to sleep well at night, and gives me purpose to be doing what we do.

I'll leave you with this.

Matthew 25:31-46

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ And these will go off to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”

 

[jhenderson]

Your platitudes and Biblical quotes may justify your actions in your mind, but the reality is saving those who CHOSE not to evacuate only deepens their dependency. That in turn breeds more dependent citizens. Is that your goal? If not you need to rethink why you advocate for more govt intervention in what should be personal decisions. Good intentions killed the mule. Next you’ll tell me welfare only feeds the needy.

 

[jgillott]

Your platitudes and Biblical quotes may justify your actions in your mind, but the reality is saving those who CHOSE not to evacuate only deepens their dependency. That in turn breeds more dependent citizens. Is that your goal? If not you need to rethink why you advocate for more govt intervention in what should be personal decisions. Good intentions killed the mule. Next you’ll tell me welfare only feeds the needy.

I personally want to thank you for your 25 years of service to your community. It's not many that give that much of their time to the service of others.

It was probably a good idea that you decided to hang it up. Once you start questioning your motivation for being out there, it becomes a safety issue for you and your fellow rescuers.

As far as your feelings concerning government intervention and dependency. Yes, those are major issues in our society. There is no denying. However, be careful not to allow your disdain for those who take advantage of the system to cloud your view of the purpose that so many put on the gear, or the badge on a daily basis.......To better the community and be a servant to those in need. Being there to help someone in need will always be the right thing to do no matter what poor choices put them in that situation.

Have a great rest of your Sunday.