Another terminology war we've lost

[O2HeN2]

"First responders"

Dammit, they're "Second responders". After all, who supplies "FIRST aid"? Does your "First Aid Kit" sit next to your bleeding friend until the ambulance arrives? No!

Your first aid kit is used by the first responder -- the person at the scene, AKA you, until the second responders arrive.

You as first responder use your fire extinguisher until the second responders arrive.

And you as first responder use your gun until the second responders arrive.

Referring to the police, fire and medics as "First responders" only plays into the narrative of 'You don't need guns, that's what the "first responder's" job is!'.

OK, been meaning to get that off my chest for some time, and hearing it [mis]used on the news last night several times finally fired me up.

O2

[merl]

Not so much. There are professional first responders and everyone else who can also respond if they choose. The others not being pros doesn't diminish their efforts or necessity.

[O2HeN2]

I don't care how professional you are, you ain't there first. I (as in citizen-at-the-injury/fire/crime) am.

O2

[Sharpienads]

Eh, I understand what you're saying, however I don't believe that has anything to do with guns. I would still consider fire, police, ems, etc first responders regardless of what people at the scene of an incident did. I don't really think one has anything to do with the other. Agree to disagree, I guess.

But to the bigger point, I do think we (meaning people with at least half a brain) are outnumbered by them (people who either choose not to or are just incapable of thinking for themselves) are losing a terminology war.

[akumadiavolo]

But you are not "responding" to it because you are not being called to the scene from elsewhere. You may be the first to react because you are there, but you are not "responding" as the word is used in this case.

[Monky]

But you are not "responding" to it because you are not being called to the scene from elsewhere. You may be the first to react because you are there, but you are not "responding" as the word is used in this case.

Well someone beat me to it..

On the rant scale.. pretty weak 02.. Kind of sound like a kid who didn't get a trophy..

[ZERO THEORY]

If we're going to play semantics, I would suggest that if you're already there, you are a participant, victim, or witness. Responder implies that they are responding to a request or order to investigate.

[KevDen2005]

If we're going to play semantics, I would suggest that if you're already there, you are a participant, victim, or witness. Responder implies that they are responding to a request or order to investigate.

I don't like this game anymore

[Monky]

I don't like this game anymore

I'd imagine the OP doesn't either


Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.

[davsel]

If we're going to play semantics, I would suggest that if you're already there, you are a participant, victim, or witness. Responder implies that they are responding to a request or order to investigate.

I'll add:
If you are there with a gun, you are a suspect.