Well that’s one way of looking at it but Response Groups are not there to provide a cheap alternative to these services. However in conditions where these services can no longer operate, a Response Group can take over if they usually provide an essential need. As mundane as the duties may sound, they become vitally important in times of need. If you are thinking of volunteering for the glory, then forget about it, this is not what it is all about. In the 2007 floods for instance, several Groups turned out to deliver water supplies, food and hygiene packs to vulnerable groups like residents of old peoples homes, cut off to normal transport. They could also transport Doctors for the out of hours GP services. All tasks that couldn’t have been done by the Civil Authorities, as they often simply don’t have the necessary vehicles or drivers. It also allows them to concentrate on their primary duties.