When it is made clear that the current situation will lead to certain death, and the way to safety is revealed, remaining where you are is no longer an option.

For first responders, searching is second nature. When the call comes — “Structure fire with persons trapped!” or “Amber Alert — a child missing!” — we instantly move. We steady ourselves, focus, and go to work with one mission: search hard for the lost. These are the calls we train for, the ones that define our purpose.