I know I'm going to get roasted for saying this, but here goes...
I think REACT got a bad rap a few years back by a few bad apples. The organization has teams across the US, each providing different levels of service to their communities.
REACT teams across the US are working on integrating into the NIMS system used by FEMA so they can be called upon by EMs to help with disasters.
Local REACT teams provide valuable support, assisting with search and rescue efforts, crowd and traffic control, portable lighting towers, and more.
I know of teams that have donated tens of thousands of dollars worth of manpower to local municipalities. Some teams are called to assist their communities on a daily basis.
Just because a few people thought being on REACT gave them the right to put flashy lights on their cars and be whackers, doesn't mean the group is useless.
When it comes down to it, REACT volunteers are out there with the first responders, risking their lives and property just the same, to help the community.
We've all seen the videos of VFFs abusing their lights and sirens, heard about police impersonators almost weekly. How often have you heard of REACT members doing this stuff?
I just ask that people stop lumping all REACT teams together. Each team has it's own duties, it's own policies, and it's own group of dedicated volunteers. Each team has it's own agreements with local, state, and federal law enforcement, emergency managers, and local governments. I just don't understand why this community can't get behind these people just the same as they do with first responders.
As for the "uardrail Angels", they are probably going about their mission the wrong way. But who are we to judge them? We should try to educate them, give them advice, and help them figure out how they can better serve their communities. Who knows, maybe they have some sort of agreement with their local LE to help with this stuff...
