10/13/2026
DEEMI as well will not charge, those lost, missing and at risk or injured deserve benefience, its the basis of what we have been doing for 35 years.
WHY DOESN’T NORTH SHORE RESCUE CHARGE FOR RESCUES?
Whenever we post about a rescue, we inevitably see comments suggesting that the people we rescue should have to pay for it.
It’s an understandable reaction. Search and rescue operations can be expensive, and when someone appears to have made poor decisions, it’s easy to think they should be responsible for the cost.
But there are some very important reasons why we believe search and rescue should remain free.
1. Charging for rescues could cost lives.
This is the single biggest reason.
Imagine you’re lost, injured, or stranded in the mountains. It’s getting dark, the temperature is dropping, and you’re trying to decide whether to call for help.
Now imagine knowing that making that call could result in a bill for thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars.
Some people will hesitate. Some will try to get themselves out of trouble. Others may wait until their situation becomes desperate.
A rescue that could have been relatively straightforward in daylight can become significantly more dangerous after dark or when weather deteriorates.
We want people to call for help early, not when it’s too late.
2. Who decides what’s negligent?
We often hear the suggestion that we should only charge people who have been reckless or negligent.
But who makes that determination?
Is hiking without a headlamp negligent? What about getting caught in unexpected weather? Taking the wrong trail? Underestimating how long a hike will take?
Where do we draw the line between an honest mistake, poor judgment, and negligence?
To make those decisions fairly, someone would need to investigate the circumstances, establish criteria, determine responsibility, and potentially defend those decisions in court.
That means lawyers, disputes, appeals, and significant administrative costs.
And those costs could easily outweigh whatever money might be recovered.
3. Collecting money isn’t free.
North Shore Rescue is a volunteer organization. Our members dedicate thousands of hours to helping people in need.
Charging for rescues would require an entirely new administrative system.
Someone would need to calculate rescue costs, issue invoices, track payments, follow up on unpaid bills, handle disputes, and potentially pursue collections.
What happens when someone can’t afford to pay? Do we send their bill to collections? Take them to court?
All of that takes time, money, and resources that could otherwise support search and rescue operations.
4. Nobody plans to need rescuing.
The vast majority of people we rescue never expected to find themselves in trouble.
Accidents happen. Weather changes. Equipment fails. People get injured. Even experienced and well-prepared outdoor enthusiasts can find themselves needing assistance.
Yes, some people make poor decisions. And yes, some rescues are preventable.
But making mistakes shouldn’t mean someone has to weigh their financial future against calling for help.
5. Our priority is saving lives, not assigning blame.
Our volunteers don’t head into the mountains to judge how someone got into trouble.
We go because someone needs help.
We absolutely believe in personal responsibility, preparation, proper equipment, and making good decisions in the backcountry. Public education and prevention are a huge part of what we do.
But when something goes wrong, we want people to know they can call for help without worrying about receiving a bill.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Charging for rescues might sound like a simple way to recover costs or encourage better decisions.
In reality, it creates serious problems: delayed calls for help, potentially more dangerous rescues, complicated judgments about negligence, and an expensive system to administer and enforce payments.
We believe the best approach is to invest in prevention, education, and a strong volunteer search and rescue system.
If you’re in trouble in the backcountry, call for help. Call early. Don’t wait until your situation becomes an emergency.
Our mission is to save lives. And we believe keeping search and rescue free helps us do exactly that.
- JB
