Joseph came to the front of the room and placed his cowboy hat on a folding table to his right. “Thanks, Tanner. I, too, would like to welcome you. This group, for the most part, was handpicked. Each of you are exceptional people.” He leaned on the podium, folding his hands, very comfortable with the topic and his role as leader. “Over the last few years, the number of people requiring search and rescue has increased dramatically across the board. For example, in Utah alone, rescues are up a stunning sixty-eight percent. Why, you might ask?” Joseph shrugged. “I don’t really have an answer. To my way of thinking, society is more health conscious, information about places to visit and activities to enjoy are more readily available on social media, and this expanded interest doesn’t necessarily coincide with a greater aptitude for survival.” He laughed. “Not to belittle folks who want to get more active and physically fit, but just going down to the local outdoor gear store and buying a pile of fancy equipment doesn’t qualify you to endure what mother nature can throw at you.”
Jensen found herself nodding. Joseph was voicing some of her own concerns and observations. In spite of her resolve not to, she found herself stealing a glance at Clint. He was totally absorbed in what was being said, so she turned her attention back to Joseph.
“As the need for rescues increase, so does the need for qualified responders. This isn’t a job, guys, this is a calling. In our case, nine times out of ten there will be no financial recompense, no salary, no reward involved. Most people who require assistance don’t pay for their rescue. In many instances, there are agencies involved – the Coast Guard, the National Park Service, local sheriffs’ offices – and if that’s the case, these organizations absorb part or all of the cost. Other times it’s a network of volunteers, like our group, who are called in to help.” Joseph took a moment to meet the gaze of each person in the room, one at a time. “For those of us who feel led to invest our time, money, and safety to perform this type of service, we do it because we understand the draw of the wild – the outdoors, the excitement. I think it has something to do with the nature of the ‘extreme’ athlete, which I… professed to be at one time.” He laughed wryly. “Before I flipped my dirt bike and paralyzed myself from the waist down.”
Jensen frowned. This was news to her. She saw some of the men nodding in understanding, others looked as confused as she did. Whatever Joseph’s story, he wasn’t paralyzed any longer.
“For people like me, the mountain face can never be sheer enough and the white water can never run fast enough. Thrill-seekers will always search for ground everyone else fears to tread. This kind of mindset is what breeds victims as well as those, like us, who will step up to lend them aid when they need it.” Holding up both hands, he seemed to call a halt to his own musings. “Bottom line, there’s a need for what we do. Now, none of us can be an expert at everything, so one of the things you need to do this weekend is zero in on what aspect of SAR speaks to you. In order to do that, we’re going to offer a variety of exercises for you to choose from. You’ve all completed the online courses and made some decent grades – for the most part…” He eyed Canyon with a shake of his head.
“Hey, school was never my forte, boss. I learn by doing, not bookwork.”
“Oh, you did fine.” Joseph gave him a grin. “You all did. We’re going to divide you into teams for training and at the end of this session you’ll be sent out on a test run. Upon completion of your mission, we’ll decide together whether this is something you’re called to do – or not.”
Jensen was listening so hard she didn’t notice Clint leaning in to speak to her until she felt his warm breath on her neck. “Admit it. You feel the same thing I do.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she whispered, keeping her eyes toward the front.
“This calling we share. Don’t you find it intriguing how much we have in common?”
“We have nothing in common. I’m a medical professional and you’re