[okreallywtf]

I'm not sure why you got downvoted, perhaps downvoters would chime in?

I get that local organizations deal with some situations better than some large, clumsy bureaucracy but I tend to agree with wnissen, if this continues as trend relying on a patchwork of individuals (heroic as they may be).

I wish there was a non-military or less-military domestic version of this, I've considered joining the national guard for this reason but I'm don't trust that I wouldn't end up fighting and dying in a pointless war. If there was another volunteer force that was devoted to humanitarian issues and search and rescue I would be all for it.

[sokoloff]

Isn't that about the Red Cross? (which has its own issues around funding efficiency)

Or the Civil Air Patrol? Or (less military, not non-military) US Coast Guard?

[briandear]

The Red Cross doesn’t do rescues. They come in after the fact generally to both help people and plan their next fundraiser. It still takes time to deploy people.

[cat199]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_defense_force#Active_sta...

Not entirely non-military, but typically IIRC military aspects are almost entirely defense only.. so for example barring a USA invasion, or perhaps a complete depletion of the entire national guard system, you're not going to war.

https://tmd.texas.gov/news

clearly involved in this case.

[justin66]

> I wish there was a non-military or less-military domestic version of this, I've considered joining the national guard for this reason but I'm don't trust that I wouldn't end up fighting and dying in a pointless war. If there was another volunteer force that was devoted to humanitarian issues and search and rescue I would be all for it.

You're basically describing the Coast Guard. I believe they do hire reservists.

[krallja]

The Coast Guard is not the pacifist organization you seem to imagine it to be. They also combat smuggling, illegal migration, and terrorism. Also, they can be called to provide defense of the maritime borders of the United States. It is every bit of a military organization as the Army or Navy, even if not as well respected.

[justin66]

Your comment is full of misconceptions. I never claimed the Coast Guard was a "pacifist organization," and the person I was responding to was, when asking for a "not military or less military" option, wasn't asking for one. And I certainly respect them as much as any other branch of the armed forces. Right now, immediately after a natural disaster, I'm sure I'm not the only one.