4 x 4 Response group

[Mitsy]

I'm beginning to wonder if there's a 'Matt's being a grumpy git alert' on here that you two have enabled.

Ye its weird ant it, i only log in when your having a grump, unless its just most day,s anyway.Caaaaarm down only joking dude.D

[MattF]

I was semi interested in the 4x4 response but was put off when i looked into it further. Seems a bit "dads army" and the cost of fuel etc

The one thing I've always found annoying is the fact that most of the response groups charge the members a membership fee. They even suggest doing so on that parent site. That, in my book, is wrong. These people put time, effort and money in, (indirectly through fuel and equipment, etc.), to help people out for no gain for themselves, and the actual organisation charges them for the privilege. They should be finding other means to fund the team, not charging their own members.

[Albannach]

I was semi interested in the 4x4 response but was put off when i looked into it further. Seems a bit "dads army" and the cost of fuel etc

It is a bit 'Dad's Armyish', that's why I gave it a miss. The fuel cost didn't bother me that much.

[MattF]

Ye its weird ant it, i only log in when your having a grump, unless its just most day,s anyway.Caaaaarm down only joking dude.D

[MattF]

It is a bit 'Dad's Armyish'

Erm, that's pretty much because it is? They are purely a voluntary service.

[plumb bob]

It is a bit 'Dad's Armyish', that's why I gave it a miss.

Hehehe, Don't Panic

I think they'd get a new web site for the actuall outfit, but ther'd be a lot of weekends spent training and testing, just to get to the stage that the UK group would allow affiliation, so you can look at it costing each member an average of say £100 per weekend in fuel and other running costs.

Then there'll be all the recovery gear specified, and comunication equipment, and then of course the excersises every other weekend, just to keep up to spec.

It would turn out to be a very expensive hobby, much more expensive than our occasional off road activities.

[MattF]

But remember that they also generally classify members at different levels, depending upon their skills and equipment. For example, what equipment or first aid training do you require for getting a doctor to a remote dwelling? Different jobs require different skills. Plus, (and granted I've never delved into the specifics), if you do become affiliated with an emergency service, I'm sure there would be a good possibility that they themselves would possibly allow you to go on some of their training exercises, and may even possibly fund your entry, (if required), to such. At the end of the day, if you form a working partnership/relationship with them, it's in their best interests to know you can cope with any situation which may arise.

[spoofer28]

well i am a member of the RNE group and we cover all sorts of things
what we have covered
emergency doctors
rescue of cars stuck on beaches
acting as marshals for events
standby for police(when a66 was blocked with snow)
standby for hull in the floods
and yes we pay £18 pound a year membership
this is mainly for PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE when we are on call
we are a voulenteers some places will actualy give you fuel costs
and we get press coverage praising 4x4's which is rare?

[nero279]

haven't kept up with the KATER goings on but it seems to have fizzled out (again!), so here's the next attempt at getting a south east area one going http://www.southeast4x4response.org.uk/

[Guest]

well i am a member of the RNE group and we cover all sorts of things
what we have covered
emergency doctors
rescue of cars stuck on beaches
acting as marshals for events
standby for police(when a66 was blocked with snow)
standby for hull in the floods
and yes we pay £18 pound a year membership
this is mainly for PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE when we are on call
we are a voulenteers some places will actualy give you fuel costs
and we get press coverage praising 4x4's which is rare?

I'm a member of Gloucestershire 4x4 response. You are correct that there is a cost to join but then again for our joining fee we got a whole lot of kit (Hi viz wear etc) which all cost money. The cost of Public Liability insurance is another thing that doesn't come cheap.

The Gloucestershire, Wessex and Powys teams were involved a lot in helping people during the floods last year, Doctors transport, Logistics (Delivering water mainly) etc.

The National organisation is going through some major changes and improvements including a new website at www.4x4response.info and things are being looked into like Charity status, insurance etc.

It's getting a lot more professional looking now, I agree that in some ways it used to look a bit of a mess but bear in mind that these are all set up by Volunteers who have day jobs and it all takes time. We now have a national vehicle identity, national call signs/IDs.

plus for Matt the website works now works just as well in Opera or Mozilla as it does in IE.

[sv1000spilot]

I am a member of the Wessex 4X4 Response.

Most recent call out (I didn't go) was to assist with the following

http://www.4x4response.info/forum/vi...php?f=46&t=104

Following this event DSRT have invited us to join them on S&R events on Dartmoor. This can only be good for 4X4 groups as it will be positive news.

[tintin]

Nice one pilot!

Good publicity is hard to come by these days!

I am still hoping to get involved with a SE response group, looking to change jobs soon so hope to have more spare time!

Alan

[gwh200]

Nice one pilot!

Good publicity is hard to come by these days!

I am still hoping to get involved with a SE response group, looking to change jobs soon so hope to have more spare time!

Alan

tell me more dude ??

[sv1000spilot]

Doesn't take much of my time up at all. The biggest time consuming part is the forum (sound familiar??)

Given up one eve so far, to help ferry camping kit for a charity walker from one site to another. Have got to give up this sunday lunchtime as well.....













to meet up in a pub

Was offered fuel money for the ferry job, but declined the offer and gave the money to the charity.

Have been asked to take part in rescue practice with DSRT one weekend in nov, no money BUT all food provided (meant to be good as well, supplied and cooked by local WI )

[sv1000spilot]

Nice one pilot!

Good publicity is hard to come by these days!

I am still hoping to get involved with a SE response group, looking to change jobs soon so hope to have more spare time!

Alan

tell me more dude ??

Try this link www.southeast4x4response.org.