here is a link to a very good story in the New Yorker magazine about SAR in Iceland.
they keep really busy with all the tourist's from Europe who wander off into the mountains or drive off the back roads.
just local folks getting together to help out.
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/09/life-is-rescues

Enjoyed that thoroughly. Thanks!

Great, interesting article. It is the US system on steroids....

Really great article.

What struck me, having grown up in a small town, was how their regard, support and affection for the rescue folks was like how we supported and held in regard our local (fully volunteer, no government) fire department. If you were member of the fire department, you were automatically highly respected member of the community.

Excellent share, thank you.

Don't know if this deserves another thread (please make it so if it does) but here is an article about a volunteer EMS service half a world away from Iceland, in one of the toughest countries in the world. It only takes a few to make a huge difference:
http://warisboring.com/articles/ride-laos-blood-soaked-streets-with-these-bad-ass-rescuers/

A rather sobering article. I am a firm believer in volunteerism in many forms, like SAR, but there is a need for full time, professional groups in areas like urban EMS and fire fighting. Volunteers can only do so much.