4x4 Response

Terranosaurus · 11-01-2009, 13:23

I've had a few members contact me of late about 4x4 Response so I thought I'd put a post up to explain a bit more about it and maybe encourage a few people to join their local group.

What is 4x4 Response

4x4 Response is a national network of volunteers with well maintained and equipped 4 wheel drive vehicles who are experienced in off road driving.

The 4x4 Response Network is able to provide a specialist logistics solution to local authorities, voluntary aid organisations and emergency services in time of emergency or other situations where there is a likelihood of danger or major disruption.

4x4 Response are able to provide "go anywhere" transport when normal methods are stretched to the limit or ordinary cars and vans are unable to cope with the conditions.

What do 4x4 Response do

Each area is different, highland areas often have to contend with bad snow and ice etc and responders are often called upon to help the emergency services etc to perform their duties in these conditions. One example is NE 4x4 Response often get called to assist in getting to drivers stranded in snow on the A66. In the floods of summer 2007 many groups were involved in evacuating buildings but also in getting key emergency service staff to work and patrolling flooded areas with the police etc. In the recovery phase following the floods, wessex 4x4 response co-ordinated a team of repsonders from all over the country who assembled to assist the red cross in providing releive to victims of the floods. esponders were called upon to help deliver trailer loads of water and other humanitarian releif.

Who can join

Every group has its own individual set up but on the whole all groups will welcome anyone with a 4x4 (some don't even require a 4x4 - just a willingness to get involved and help).

You don't need a full on winch challenge spec truck, in fact a lot of the time a standard truck with lots of seats is more useful.

You don't need to have any experience of off road driving etc, just a willingness to learn. All groups will assess and train you as required, similar training in a professional enviroment would cost £100's but will be very low cost or even free depending on the arrangements groups can make to use suitable training facilities in their area.

You don't need to be able to commit a certain number of hours etc like you might with volunteer fire service or community policing etc. 4x4 Response welcomes everyone, by having a wide variety of members they can ensure cover is always available with different people working different shifts etc

What do you need

Most teams have a kit list for responders, but its all fairly normal 4x4 gear (recovery strap, fire extinguisher, first aid kit etc) and you can gather your kit together over time. Many groups arrange bulk buys etc to lower costs or have arranged discounts with suppliers.

How much does it cost

Each group is different but most have a nominal joining few and perhaps a deposit for some gear you may be issued such as ID badges, vehicle ID and hi-viz vests etc. This money goes towards coverng admin and insurance costs etc.

How often do 4x4 Response get called.

On a national basis callouts are fairly common but it varies greatly from group to group, and cannot really be predicted.

What else

Most groups also have a thriving social side too, with regular meets, training days and green laning trips etc theres often something to do, a bit like any other 4x4 club except they also have a very serious side when necessary.

How to get involved

Most areas now have a group, though there are exceptions, but if you and some like minded friends would like to start a group in an area not covered the national network will give you as much help as they can.

Have a look on the national network site and see where you're local group is. They may have a website of their own and most allow peole to join their forums etc to see what's what before actualy joining up. So find out whats what on line and maybe go along to a meeting and have a chat to the existing members.

Some useful links

4x4 Response National Network website

National Register of 4x4 Response Groups

National Network Forum

Terranosaurus · 11-01-2009, 13:42

Just out of interest you else is already a member of a 4x4 Response Group?

I'll start a list

Terranosaurus - Humber-Yorks 4x4 Response
Dinky - Humber-Yorks 4x4 Response

zippy656 · 11-01-2009, 13:55

Im talking to Bob of Wessex thinking of joining up

daveg · 11-01-2009, 14:02

hi

I am a registered member with the northwest group, I only registered recently.unfortunatley it is a very quiet and very few members. not much chat or anything. but it is a good cause and all should support it.

dave g

Lee3197 · 11-01-2009, 19:42

Just out of interest, a guy in my DOC Section, (Matt), in is Wessex 4x4 Response. He's attended all sorts of "shouts". These guys provide a valuable, under-estimated sevice.

Lee.

zippy656 · 11-01-2009, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee3197

Just out of interest, a guy in my DOC Section, (Matt), in is Wessex 4x4 Response. He's attended all sorts of "shouts". These guys provide a valuable, under-estimated sevice.

Lee.

DOC??

Wessex is the one id be joing up with, wheres Matt based??

Zippy

PS THIS IS THE POST THAT'S GIVEN ME SAME NUMBER OF POSTS AS COSMIC..

Terranosaurus · 11-01-2009, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmic

Would love to join a group for my area but there is none,nearest is north east!! or ayrshire cotag!!
Would rather there was something for the Borders but i know our council are very anally retentive at these sort of ideas!!
They don't want to tread on the Mountain rescues toes,who have very big heads around here!!
I see you can start your own group,what is envolved in doing this??

In all honesty Steve a lot of paperwork/meetings with local councils, Police, NHS etc but it has to be done. Oh and of course recruitment.

National can help with a lot of the general admin stuff and give examples of paperwork already being used by other groups but its the donkey work of getting in to the various organisations emergency plans that is really key, without ityou're just another 4x4 club. Of course the more 4x4 response groups there are the easier it is becoming as a recomendation from another area is worth its weight in gold. We found that once we'd "cracked" Humberside Police that other orgs in Humberside came on board and then subsequently we've made inroads in North, South and West Yorkshire, these all stemmed from the Humberside Police EPO (Emergency Planning Officer) sending emails to his counterparts on our behalf.

If you're serious you need to find half a dozen or better still a dozen others who are interested too and you need doers not talkers and people who willing to take on the paperwork etc and then approach the National Network (might be worth a post on that forum when looking for potential people to start up with)

willow · 11-01-2009, 23:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranosaurus

I've had a few members contact me of late about 4x4 Response so I thought I'd put a post up to explain a bit more about it and maybe encourage a few people to join their local group.

What is 4x4 Response

4x4 Response is a national network of volunteers with well maintained and equipped 4 wheel drive vehicles who are experienced in off road driving.

The 4x4 Response Network is able to provide a specialist logistics solution to local authorities, voluntary aid organisations and emergency services in time of emergency or other situations where there is a likelihood of danger or major disruption.

4x4 Response are able to provide "go anywhere" transport when normal methods are stretched to the limit or ordinary cars and vans are unable to cope with the conditions.

What do 4x4 Response do

Each area is different, highland areas often have to contend with bad snow and ice etc and responders are often called upon to help the emergency services etc to perform their duties in these conditions. One example is NE 4x4 Response often get called to assist in getting to drivers stranded in snow on the A66. In the floods of summer 2007 many groups were involved in evacuating buildings but also in getting key emergency service staff to work and patrolling flooded areas with the police etc. In the recovery phase following the floods, wessex 4x4 response co-ordinated a team of repsonders from all over the country who assembled to assist the red cross in providing releive to victims of the floods. esponders were called upon to help deliver trailer loads of water and other humanitarian releif.

Who can join

Every group has its own individual set up but on the whole all groups will welcome anyone with a 4x4 (some don't even require a 4x4 - just a willingness to get involved and help).

You don't need a full on winch challenge spec truck, in fact a lot of the time a standard truck with lots of seats is more useful.

You don't need to have any experience of off road driving etc, just a willingness to learn. All groups will assess and train you as required, similar training in a professional enviroment would cost £100's but will be very low cost or even free depending on the arrangements groups can make to use suitable training facilities in their area.

You don't need to be able to commit a certain number of hours etc like you might with volunteer fire service or community policing etc. 4x4 Response welcomes everyone, by having a wide variety of members they can ensure cover is always available with different people working different shifts etc

What do you need

Most teams have a kit list for responders, but its all fairly normal 4x4 gear (recovery strap, fire extinguisher, first aid kit etc) and you can gather your kit together over time. Many groups arrange bulk buys etc to lower costs or have arranged discounts with suppliers.

How much does it cost

Each group is different but most have a nominal joining few and perhaps a deposit for some gear you may be issued such as ID badges, vehicle ID and hi-viz vests etc. This money goes towards coverng admin and insurance costs etc.

How often do 4x4 Response get called.

On a national basis callouts are fairly common but it varies greatly from group to group, and cannot really be predicted.

What else

Most groups also have a thriving social side too, with regular meets, training days and green laning trips etc theres often something to do, a bit like any other 4x4 club except they also have a very serious side when necessary.

How to get involved

Most areas now have a group, though there are exceptions, but if you and some like minded friends would like to start a group in an area not covered the national network will give you as much help as they can.

Have a look on the national network site and see where you're local group is. They may have a website of their own and most allow peole to join their forums etc to see what's what before actualy joining up. So find out whats what on line and maybe go along to a meeting and have a chat to the existing members.

Some useful links

4x4 Response National Network website

National Register of 4x4 Response Groups

National Network Forum

than you fo this post
made me think
I would like to help
Norfolk?

NEDDY · 12-01-2009, 00:11

me to but I am in fife,( but some considerable Improvment to the motor and to my learning would have to be undertaken .I have the greatest respect for anyone who has the knowledge and capabilityto undertake this type of work ,(special people ).

floyd500b · 12-01-2009, 12:32

www.cotag.net

Lots of good general info there for Scotland

willow · 12-01-2009, 17:05

I've found one near me but when I went to the link it was a landrover owners club

Don't think they would want me in my terrano

but I have sent them a message asking anyway

zippy656 · 12-01-2009, 17:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by willow

I've found one near me but when I went to the link it was a landrover owners club

Don't think they would want me in my terrano

but I have sent them a message asking anyway

the one near me Wessex are happy with a Terrano..

willow · 12-01-2009, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippy656

the one near me Wessex are happy with a Terrano..

Is that a landrover owners club too Zippy?

zippy656 · 12-01-2009, 18:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by willow

Is that a landrover owners club too Zippy?

http://www.wessex4x4response.org.uk/

nope its a help line realy..

take a look there will be one closer to you too

zippy

willow · 12-01-2009, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmic

If it's a response group they will not mind what you drive as long as it's a 4x4!!

Looking at their gallery its all landrovers still it is a response group so I will start a trend

still waiting for a reply

Would like to do the training sounds like a good thing to do

Thanks

11-01-2009, 13:23	#1
Terranosaurus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: YORKSHIRE Vehicle: 2001 2.7 TDi T2 SWB Posts: 4,077	4x4 Response I've had a few members contact me of late about 4x4 Response so I thought I'd put a post up to explain a bit more about it and maybe encourage a few people to join their local group. What is 4x4 Response 4x4 Response is a national network of volunteers with well maintained and equipped 4 wheel drive vehicles who are experienced in off road driving. The 4x4 Response Network is able to provide a specialist logistics solution to local authorities, voluntary aid organisations and emergency services in time of emergency or other situations where there is a likelihood of danger or major disruption. 4x4 Response are able to provide "go anywhere" transport when normal methods are stretched to the limit or ordinary cars and vans are unable to cope with the conditions. What do 4x4 Response do Each area is different, highland areas often have to contend with bad snow and ice etc and responders are often called upon to help the emergency services etc to perform their duties in these conditions. One example is NE 4x4 Response often get called to assist in getting to drivers stranded in snow on the A66. In the floods of summer 2007 many groups were involved in evacuating buildings but also in getting key emergency service staff to work and patrolling flooded areas with the police etc. In the recovery phase following the floods, wessex 4x4 response co-ordinated a team of repsonders from all over the country who assembled to assist the red cross in providing releive to victims of the floods. esponders were called upon to help deliver trailer loads of water and other humanitarian releif. Who can join Every group has its own individual set up but on the whole all groups will welcome anyone with a 4x4 (some don't even require a 4x4 - just a willingness to get involved and help). You don't need a full on winch challenge spec truck, in fact a lot of the time a standard truck with lots of seats is more useful. You don't need to have any experience of off road driving etc, just a willingness to learn. All groups will assess and train you as required, similar training in a professional enviroment would cost £100's but will be very low cost or even free depending on the arrangements groups can make to use suitable training facilities in their area. You don't need to be able to commit a certain number of hours etc like you might with volunteer fire service or community policing etc. 4x4 Response welcomes everyone, by having a wide variety of members they can ensure cover is always available with different people working different shifts etc What do you need Most teams have a kit list for responders, but its all fairly normal 4x4 gear (recovery strap, fire extinguisher, first aid kit etc) and you can gather your kit together over time. Many groups arrange bulk buys etc to lower costs or have arranged discounts with suppliers. How much does it cost Each group is different but most have a nominal joining few and perhaps a deposit for some gear you may be issued such as ID badges, vehicle ID and hi-viz vests etc. This money goes towards coverng admin and insurance costs etc. How often do 4x4 Response get called. On a national basis callouts are fairly common but it varies greatly from group to group, and cannot really be predicted. What else Most groups also have a thriving social side too, with regular meets, training days and green laning trips etc theres often something to do, a bit like any other 4x4 club except they also have a very serious side when necessary. How to get involved Most areas now have a group, though there are exceptions, but if you and some like minded friends would like to start a group in an area not covered the national network will give you as much help as they can. Have a look on the national network site and see where you're local group is. They may have a website of their own and most allow peole to join their forums etc to see what's what before actualy joining up. So find out whats what on line and maybe go along to a meeting and have a chat to the existing members. Some useful links 4x4 Response National Network website National Register of 4x4 Response Groups National Network Forum

11-01-2009, 13:42	#2
Terranosaurus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: YORKSHIRE Vehicle: 2001 2.7 TDi T2 SWB Posts: 4,077	Just out of interest you else is already a member of a 4x4 Response Group? I'll start a list Terranosaurus - Humber-Yorks 4x4 Response Dinky - Humber-Yorks 4x4 Response

11-01-2009, 13:55	#3
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,137	Im talking to Bob of Wessex thinking of joining up

11-01-2009, 14:02	#4
daveg Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: north west Vehicle: nissan terrano 2.7td lwb Posts: 119	hi I am a registered member with the northwest group, I only registered recently.unfortunatley it is a very quiet and very few members. not much chat or anything. but it is a good cause and all should support it. dave g

11-01-2009, 19:42	#5
Lee3197 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Devon Vehicle: 1995 Maverick LWB 2.7 Tdi Posts: 343	Just out of interest, a guy in my DOC Section, (Matt), in is Wessex 4x4 Response. He's attended all sorts of "shouts". These guys provide a valuable, under-estimated sevice. Lee.

12-01-2009, 00:11	#9
NEDDY Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Scotland Vehicle: Maverick Posts: 200	me to but I am in fife,( but some considerable Improvment to the motor and to my learning would have to be undertaken .I have the greatest respect for anyone who has the knowledge and capabilityto undertake this type of work ,(special people ).

12-01-2009, 12:32	#10
floyd500b Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 553	www.cotag.net Lots of good general info there for Scotland

12-01-2009, 17:05	#11
willow Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Norfolk East Vehicle: terrano11 1995 TD Posts: 1,955	I've found one near me but when I went to the link it was a landrover owners club Don't think they would want me in my terrano but I have sent them a message asking anyway