Just wondering if there's a British version of the thing going on in America where colledge students are signing up to go help out in New Orleans. The only thing I can think of is International Rescue - actualy RL organisation, for those who think I'm making this up - but that takes time to join and get trained. Was thinking that with your police connections you might have more idea.

Nope not heard of an organisation like that. most volunteers go through the international red cross. They assist with training and travel all over to help. From a Met police point of view we have convoy 2000 where we ship a load of staff and staff out to help with rebuilding. Not sure if they recruit outside the job though.

Oo are you a bobbie then?

Untrained volunteers are a nightmare in the first bit. Go off and get themselves hurt, or help in the wrong way.

Nope Cep I am what is known as a Communications Supervisor. I look after and run incidents when people call the police. I am safe in a control room compared to officers who are there dealing. Cricket, Cant speak for other countries but most volunteer organisations in the UK offer training and make sure that volunteers never try to do more than they are trained or able to do. For example Samaritans and Childline both counsel people in circumstances that can be stressful and delicate.

Yep, same here. After most big emergencies, hundreds of new volunteers call up the Red Cross and want to be put on a plane right now, not realizing that, in the first bit, they need trained people who won't make matters worse, and who will be able to hold themselves together long enough to get the job done. Still, I was just so frustrated to hear that people with their own boats weren't allowed in to help, because no one wanted to take resposibility for letting them in. No clues to be trampled, not a whole lot of stuff lying around to be looted, just people to be gotten off rooftops. Every person they got off a roof in the first day was one fewer dehydrated sunstroke and cholera victim three days later, one fewer person who would need resources beyond food, water and shelter. Even if they didn't want the untrained volunteers in the city, they could have used them to ferry uninjured victims or supplies, letting the trained people go where they were needed most.

The reason they dont is because if one of those people has ulterior motives (attacks a child/man/woman) then the police/authorities are to blame. Unfortunately as much as they would welcome the help because of the what if scenario they cant accept the help.

And I suppose if the volunteer got injured, he'd be able to sue someone. No perfect world, is there?

Alas no, but maybe someday......

Isnt it funny how most of the rescue stories you read, are done by bystanders?

I have heard that the bloke that Bushy put in charge was kicked out and a fire/police chief was put in charge instead, and it's strange that a lot of people rather stay where they are and die from disease and such instead of be being carried off to somewhere safe. What I have heard and see, it's a completely cockup in the first place before the hurricane hit.

Yep, a lot of people stay. But a whole lot more *wanted* to get out, and did what they were told, and were, ugh, insert non-kid-friendly word here.