Terranosaurus
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2006
- Messages
- 3,991
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
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
