4x4 response

Anyone a member? I've been thinking of joining but wondered what was involved?

yes as part of wessex 4x4 response.

as yet ive done nothing other than training. but i await my first shout.

dnt sigm up if u wana play hero and drag behicles out of the snow thats not what its about.

your more likly to transport water food and doctors to stranded people in adverse weather than anything else

I have no intrest in muscle flexing and landy measuring but where I live is fairly rural and I'm first aid trained and I have rope access and chainsaw skills which may prove useful. A friend of mine did operation Aquarius and delivered supplies for a few days which I would be happy to do.

What do they do about insurance? Do they cover you? What's envolved in being a member? I have emailed my local group but no reply as of yet

I just looked up the Hertfordshire 4x4 response site and you have to pay them to join. wtf??

lucifus said:

I just looked up the Hertfordshire 4x4 response site and you have to pay them to join. wtf??

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Pay to help don't think so!!

I guess they must have no shortage of helpers if they ate asking for money to join.

I think its to help pay for training days,meetings and that kind of thing. This is what im trying to find out, what is the whole package from enroling to call outs what happens

The cost per year for me is £20, this means i am covered by their 3rd party liability insurance, and pays for training days etc. Also means i get discount on my personal insurance and at many landy parts suppliers. Also discount and group only use at some payplay days.

Personally this is what happened:
Contacted them via email
They contacted me for a meeting (at pub)
I agreed to the TnC's (Dont wana be a hero)
They signed me up for a training/induction day
I got all my gear (Hiviz Jacker, Coat, Tshirt for free)
I sit back and wait for a call.

It is completely voluntary so if you are busy at work etc you can say no,
We get reembursed for fuel expenses and any accomadation if needed.
YOUR INSURANCE covers you in your car! So if you crash while driving on a shout its YOUR INSURANCE. If you injure the nurse in the back when she jumps out the back of the landy THEIR 3RD PARTY LIABILITY covers it.

Hope this clears it up.

Any more Q's im happy to answer if i can

You can also registrar with your local police as someone with a 4x4 who would be prepared to offer help and assistance.

discomania said:

You can also registrar with your local police as someone with a 4x4 who would be prepared to offer help and assistance.

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Are you covered by any insurance ?

I believe the 4x4 groups offer a great service. Obviously the basis of membership is ownership of a 4x4 for it's capability. To what standard of driving are members / drivers trained?

No driving training is given as such.

As you are only ever expected to drive within the bounds of the law and your normal driving licence, you are not their as a recovery driver or breakdown mechanic.

Simply a 4x4 taxi.

It is the drivers own decision if he/she tackles and difficult terrain I.e a flood road, snow, ice etc.

If the driver isnt comfortable and feels its beyong their capabilities they are entitled too and indeed expected too say No im not doing that.

BearDy89 said:

Simply a 4x4 taxi.

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Why not send a taxi then?

I am not trying to pick holes, I think there is a great service being offered but the vehicles are being used with the perception that they can tackle adverse weather etc... That may be the case, with appropriate training and experience, hence my question

For example if you rang for an ambulance in 3 foot snow, they would ofcourse send one, but happens when they get stuck??

You ring 4x4 responnse and they ask all their closes members if anyone is happy to (Knows they are capable) going and pick up the ambulance crew from their abandoned ambulance and take them and their kit to whereever it was they were heading.

Not sure a taxi would do that.

This is only one example of course.
There are many scenarios that 4x4 response could be used.

Major Accidents/Incidents
Evactuation
Floods
Snow

etc

BearDy89 said:

For example if you rang for an ambulance in 3 foot snow, they would ofcourse send one, but happens when they get stuck??

You ring 4x4 responnse and they ask all their closes members if anyone is happy to (Knows they are capable) going and pick up the ambulance crew from their abandoned ambulance and take them and their kit to whereever it was they were heading.

Not sure a taxi would do that.

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That's my point really.

I think ive missed your point :doh::doh:

Do you mean why are we doing things like that if we dont have professional training??

Are 4X4s that uncommon in the UK?

No not uncommon??