It's called taxes. Just as it has been said in this thread. The real cost is obscured by the fact that some of these rescuers receive a salary for being at work. That salary pays for their training and preparedness in the event that they are needed. Some are volunteers as well. Of course there is the fuel for the chopper and things like that. We all pay for that same service provided every day by our law enforcement officers to be there when rescue is needed. Similar to driving a car and getting in an accident, police and fire are there for us when we need them. I know it isn't the same as people making bad decisions wandering off into the woods.... or is it? People who drive dangerously and end up wrapped around a pole due to negligence and or alcohol consumption are in the same category. Are these people charged? Probably not. We all foot the bill for stupidity every day, it's called living in a society. My thought is it aint changin anytime soon. So the only option is to dig a snow cave in the Northwest territory if you don't like it.
