Pete, I understand and respect you totaly. In our concept of work each individual team member has to be able to work away from the team on his (or her) own to coordinate and lead locals and volunteers. Yes the equipment is there for the rescue and I need it week long not for a single incident but much more.

I expect my fellow man to be ready and equipped personally to work independently in isolated environments for long times. Equipment dicipline is essential.

I always stock and carry extra gear for team members. If they need gear they have to replace it from me not from someone else.

This may seem a little bit like Gestapo to you but I have learnt it the hard way that the road to hell is paved with stones of good intentions. My primary duty is to take my men back home alive and believe me it is really hard when the dead are carried on damper trucks around you.

Burak
Istanbul