HB1214 Establishing the volunteer search and rescue account.

[huey]

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1214.pdf

As a 35 year member of Search and Rescue in Washington State, some financial support would be welcome to the SAR community. However, as a hunter and fisherman, I find this proposal unfair in that it appears to place the burden solely on hunters and fisherman. (See section 2, paragraph 2) While I don't have the hard numbers in front of me, I am fairly comfortable stating that of those we assist thru Search and Rescue, maybe 5% to 10% are hunters or fisherman. The majority, far & away are in the hiker/climber category. If you believe the other outdoor user groups should share the burden, now is the time to drop your legislator a note stating your opinion.

[Ray]

I'd bet it's 90% hiker and climbers.

[jeepasaurusrex]

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2009-10/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1214.pdf

The idiots in Olympia want to tack on a surcharge to hunting/fishing licenses for SAR. 

[ICEMAN]

If they would just start nailing those who have needed SAR before with the invoice, maybe they wouldnt need to even try this crap.

[jeepasaurusrex]

Seems to me, 98% of all SAR missions are for dumb ass hikers.  I dont see them paying any surcharge on anything. 

[luvtohnt]

From my understanding it has always been there, that isn't one of the changes that is taking place. I have already wrote all the appropriate people and requested that all public land access permits include this surcharge, since other user groups use this service more often than hunters do.

Brandon

[Tom Tamer]

Don't most SAR guy volunteer?? I could be wrong , they do it more for the common good? Do most volunteers ask to be paid, I could see if some moron was hiking up Mt Rainier in sandals and shorts in January being held liable for the cost but for the guy who falls down a ravine have to pay to rescue? Pretty damn pathetic.

Don't we already pay State and federal taxes that in turn pay for the Coast Guard and other rescue and aid sources? Here's a concept, the Gov't prioritize their spending then I'm sure they could afford it...oh wait Obama has to stimulate the economy by buliding skate parks, condoms and revamping ACORN so he can get re-elected.

[Al Bundy]

Don't most SAR guy volunteer?? I could be wrong , they do it more for the common good? Do most volunteers ask to be paid, I could see if some moron was hiking up Mt Rainier in sandals and shorts in January being held liable for the cost but for the guy who falls down a ravine have to pay to rescue? Pretty damn pathetic.

Don't we already pay State and federal taxes that in turn pay for the Coast Guard and other rescue and aid sources? Here's a concept, the Gov't prioritize their spending then I'm sure they could afford it...oh wait Obama has to stimulate the economy by buliding skate parks, condoms and revamping ACORN so he can get re-elected.

That what I was going to say. This is for VOLUNTEER  SAR groups. Seems to me VOLUNTEERS don't usually get paid for what they do.

[robb92]

Most SAR groups are volunteer, when I was in High school I was part of SAR group in Walla Walla. They did it free of charge. Didn't cost the tax payers a dime for our service.

[Tom Tamer]

That's what I thought and most if not all don't expect or do it for payment? The only time I volunteered for anything and expected to get paid was when I joined the NAVY.

[robb92]

I would lke to see if the state or any agency keeps track of the number of SAR call outs state wide, and who were the primary users for the service. 

[FrankDown]

It is my understanding that volunteers can get reimbursed for expenses like fuel and what not for their time or efforts.  They cannot be compensated for their time.  

Since we dont, or wont be, coexisting with the hikers anylonger, why do we have to fund their safe return?

The hikers have been up in arms about the whole hunting in their forests thing lately witht he Sauk Mt incident. (well a lot of them have not everyone).

[norsepeak]

It is volunteer, however, equipment isn't free, and fuel isn't free.  In our area, our local fire dept. who works side by side with SAR does about 5 fund raisers a year to buy equipment because our annual budget barely covers insurance, fuel, power, water etc.  If we didn't have our fund raisers, we would still be using equipment from the 70's.  I agree we don't need another surcharge or fee or tax or whatever you want to call it, but come up with solutions.  Maybe get involved, donate or better yet volunteer.  You never know when YOU might need it and wouldn't it be nice to know it's there and available when you do?

[FrankDown]

Is there anything like this being added to state park fees, national forest access passes, wilderness passes, etc?

[RailRob]

here is the thing..not one bloody cent is going to touch the hands of any local fire/ems... whats the point?ohhh to fund df&w! I see... if you are worried about it learn to read a map, buy gps, dont fall off of a cliff! Do alot of people have to get rescued on the westside alot? not much over here...few years back this got lost hunting..he walked out of the woods 25 miles from where he walked in..during the winter!