Unfortunately, being a solo responder isn't the cushy number some think. For one thing, you have to carry all the equipment in yourself, that's the response bag, the oxygen bag, sometimes also the entonox bag, the Lifepak 12, and any other equipment the call sounds as though it might need. With a two man crew you can split the load - when it's just one of you, it wouldn't be the first time I've been loaded down with gear and arrived puffing and panting - and I consider myself reasonably fit. And solos are being sent to everything now, including some assist only calls.