4x4 Response

Jim W · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 1:17 pm Post subject: 4x4 Response

Due to recent severe weather 4x4 Response groups especialy in the East of England have been busy with callouts to various incidents.
We are all volunteers who cover England parts of Scotland and Wales and are looking for more people to join local groups and give something back to the community also to show that 4x4s can be used for more than just mud pluggin.
If anyone is Interested in joining a local group or want to know more on what we do have a look here http://www.4x4response.info/public/publicWrapper.php

gawxo · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 1:35 pm Post subject:

Jim , I heard a few pleas for 4x4 help over the radio yesterday , one was a wedding that was at risk !!!.

Well done to those who help others , lets hope it change a few minds on the help that can be given ,

I am sure the "BUZZ" that it gives is reward enough !. JP.

cynic-al · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 3:20 pm Post subject:

a worthwhile cause and if my offroader was road legal i would join.

Jim W · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 3:30 pm Post subject:

bertie_bas205 · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:43 pm Post subject:

Theres a local 4x4 responce team up here...

They are called COTAG, i give them a shout to see how i applied.....

Got a reply saying someone would get in touch..... Obviously have enough help!!!!!

Ber (tryin ti do his bit) tie.

Rich. · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:50 pm Post subject:

diff22000 · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject:

I was on standby with my local GP

smego · Articulating Joined: 08 May 2005 Odometer: 860

As I always prep and go help I thought I would join, "South East England 4x4 Response" to see if I can be of help to anyone but I find they want me to pay a joining fee in order to offer help to others? - seems very formal to me so I think I will hang fire on that one.

anyone on here a member, What does my £23 buy?

Jim W · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:56 pm Post subject:

Groups charge a membership fee for you to be covered by Insurance,supply a uniform Hi vis ID card etc its the same as most 4x4 clubs they charge a membership fee.
We as I said are all volunteers and try to get sponsorship for the above but times are hard at the moment so we have to charge membership and it also proves your willingness to assist when needed

sitrials · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:32 pm Post subject:

there is no one close enough to me to be any help to anyone though.
I live in the Stamford, Lincs and Rutland area.
We have had over 5inches of snow the past 2 days which has made the town come to a standstill.
And me wanting to drive in the snow and help people out, mine was broken on the drive, fixed now though, but after reading all insurance and health and safety guidance notes I'm unsure as to weather i wish to help anyone without being a member.
Can I create a group? or can someone recommend a group for me?

Jim W · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:03 pm Post subject:

Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have a group they can be found here http://humber-yorks.4x4response.com/faq.php

Anyone interested in a group just do a search on 4x4 response it brings up most groups.

sitrials · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:46 pm Post subject:

That site is mainly for humber area of lincs and yorkshire thats 2 hours from me!

Jim W · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:02 pm Post subject:

If theres nothing closer you could start your own group all the info can be found here http://www.4x4response.info/public/publicWrapper.php
or you can see what groups are closer.

TheClunk · Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:32 pm Post subject:

I am seriously considering putting my name down for the Wessex one.
Back in Feb, I drove around randomly and ended up helping out around half a dozen stuck vehicles in some way or another. Makes you feel good helping people.

(pete) · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:54 am Post subject:

i was heavly involved and a founding member of the hants and berks 4x4 response team (was my idea) and it took ages to get the team up to speed and get our selfs listed on the main website

any way after i attended a number of meetings and events and secured deals with certain groups i was voted off the forum and chairman positian behind my back due to not doing enough (missed one hb4x4 commity meet due to family problems)

99.9% of the group just wanted to mess around with stickers and cb radio names rather than deal with contacts and training days and stuff that needs to be in place to help

and the worst bit for me is i really want to help.... not just play around i mean help you know ferry water and equipment, doctors, nurses, recover stranded people from unaccesable places

but still i guess the masses voted for stickers so i dropped my admin etc etc on the forum a have not been back

however the group as a whole does a very grand job and i hope that the people who do make a diffence will continue to do so

chrisvitarasport94 · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:12 am Post subject:

greaty inititive;

have the Govt decided to ask for CRB checks and fingerprint/dna samples "for the protection of the public" yet?

scut44 · Guest

CRB checks etc is as it should be.
These have been statutory in Scotland for several years now.
(child protection & the general public's protection from nutters should be taken seriously IMHO.)

Some groups are highly trained & the minimum entry requirements are very high.
ie, First Aid, Mountain Leadership, past experience,ex mountain rescue/military,radio operators etc.

So its not just mickey mouse when you need qualifucations. in
Advanced motoring (roads),off-road driving, winch & self recovery,winter survival,navigation,VHF radio.
There is a lot of applicants.
george

www.cotag.net
www.cotag.net/about/about01.php

.

weld-werx · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:03 am Post subject:

Who actually runs these groups, is it a government initiative?

scut44 · Guest

Some groups like Raynet are essential for local & national disasters,
These groups are relied on by police forces etc, because of there hopless radio networks & lack of suitable vehicles etc.
www.raynet-uk.net

In event of 'civil unrest',riots,the breakdown of public order in the event of
a nation disaster etc.
Its more than likely they will be used for communications etc. by the Government.
So groups like these are supported by the Government & Government agencies.
We dont have enough Military/TA support left in the country,& we dont have a proper Home Guard/Civil Defence Group to provide communications,in the event of total power cuts etc.
george

Jim W · Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:46 am Post subject:

RichardD · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:47 pm Post subject:

George
I have contacted COTAG 3 times and not had a response, It is a brilliant idea that can be let down by organisers that do not have enough courtesy to acknowledge said applicants.

I'm with Bertie on this one - we have a real need for a 4x4 response in Ayrshire right now and I have an ideal vehicle for the job which is sat, nice and dry in its garage. Shame but that's how it is .....

RichardD · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:52 pm Post subject:

scut44 · Guest

Richard,
are you reffering to failures in Scotland with the Disclosured System, & have something in mind?
There are always failures in all sorts of things being set up, not always a reason not to have something & hope the procedures can improve

Or is this a genarisation on the English & UK system as a whole.
www.disclosuresscotland.co.uk
www.crbs.org.uk

RE
Nutters, they are certainly not people under the mental health system, they have certificates saying they can be out in the community often.
Thats more than the general public has.
It can be 'reformed criminals' through the jcourts/ail system tho.
They appear free to have 'paid for their crime.'

No the nutters are sometimes someone that thinks buying a 4x4 & mud tyres makes them a rescuer of people in Blizzard conditions.
Without further skills or training.
(a CB & stickers.)
Maybe OK for driving some one to a wedding.
Not so good for delivering a baby on a country road.
A flask of hot water is good tho.
You can watch the doctor deliver the baby while you have a cup of tea

A bit like buying crampons & a rucksack and thinking you can join the Mountain Rescue Team.
They will always encourage people to help.
Fund raising is always required.
george

terence · Guest

i have always said , well intentioned and in many cases highly professional.

because they draw their membership from people who where trained by the military, police and ambulances and fire and rescue services.

the rest as george says tend to be urban cowboys with muddy tyres and no idea.

, a lot of very skilled people however get overlooked because a few of these organisations are basically clubs, with unique funding oportunities....

i have alwasy maintained this stuff should be left to the professionals.

no harm in running a doctor to a patient, or driving through small floods that would swamp an ordinary car , but if i was trapped halfway up shehallion with a broken back id hate to think some wally with a burned out pajero and a cb handle "thistle whistle "was my only hope...... Laughing

. · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:41 pm Post subject:

I hope to start one in NI in the new year

terence · Guest

Jim W · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 5:37 pm Post subject:

Jim W · Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:00 pm Post subject:

scut44 · Guest

Jim W / Richard
If you contact Rab Bark, please let him know there are folk on the SLROC forum trying to contact him about him trying to set up the
'Strathclyde 4x4 Response Team'

COTAG in this bumf,
say that they have a team in Ayrshire already.
(they arnt good at updating their site,
in the same way they dont appear to have time to reply to people.)

"thats not unusual" as Tom Jones said.
www.cotag.net/cotag-moray/moray01.php
bottom of the page.
& the contact is the same Rab Bark i believe/was told.
Robert @ COTAG-AYRSHIRE

george

Graham H · Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject:

Hi Jim, thanks for the link. I have just contacted the national group to find out if there's anything in the Warwickshire area.

Many thanks,

Graham