Mad_jock... imagen this...
Your flying along and your engine splutters once.. but you decide not to tell anyone else about it.. it then splutters again and once more.. the next time it stops altogether.. you then end up landing badly in some farmers feild requiring medical assistance..
Would it not be better to have RFFS on a 'Standby' (i.e in there trucks awaiting for your safe, or not so safe arrival to earth) - rather than them sitting around in there rest room drinking tea??
With working in ATC, i would much rather have my crews standing by for something that could be come more than it is rather than them not.. remember pro-active responce is better than a re-active responce!!
just my views anyway...