The Northern Ireland 4x4 Response Network. Volunteers needed

[TheHeretic]

Saw this organisation trying to get up and running in Northern Ireland, and thought I would post here to see if there was any interest. i have poked Garlick with a pointy stick, and he never shouted angry things, so going ahead and posting details!

The Northern IrelNd 4x4 Response Network said:

The Northern Ireland 4X4 Response Network is currently recruiting volunteers and will have it's official launch in the coming months. The NI 4X4 Response Network has been set up to provide a pool of 4X4 vehicles and drivers to assist the emergency services and community in times of adverse weather and disaster. Working alongside the Red Cross we form a part of Northern Ireland’s contingency planning.

Membership is welcomed from all areas of Northern Ireland and all types of 4X4 along with all driver capabilities. Full training will be provided and Members and their vehicles are catorgorised to ensure that Members and vehicles are only tasked to those duties within their capabilities.

Duties can range from transporting health service and Red Cross personnel in times of adverse weather to transporting NI Fire and Rescue personnel and equipment to inaccessible areas such as areas of gorse or forest fire.

All Members are covered by third party liability insurance whilst on calls provided by the Red Cross. Members will be re-imbursed for mileage and out of pocket expenses whilst on calls along with other benefits currently being negotiated.

We don’t ask for any commitment other than to be contactable when an incident occurs. If Members are not available, there is no pressure to respond.

We can also make our vehicles for non emergency tasks for which we will make a small charge towards the running cost of the NI 4X4 Response Network.

Their website is http://www.4x4response-ni.co.uk/, and it looks like it could be a very good thing to be involved with. They have the support of the Red Cross.



Thanks for reading.

[anonymous-user]

Worthy cause and very public spirited, but I know of at least one constabulary who are actively distancing themsevles from this kind of set up.

[cailean]

Crossflow Kid said:

Worthy cause and very public spirited, but I know of at least one constabulary who are actively distancing themsevles from this kind of set up.

Do you know why? These response networks operate around the UK and I thought they do a great job.

[mrdelmonti]

Crossflow Kid said:

Worthy cause and very public spirited, but I know of at least one constabulary who are actively distancing themsevles from this kind of set up.

I have been and still know a lot of members of Northants4x4 Response, they have a good relationship with the council and the police.

Not sure why they would want to distance themselves.

[anonymous-user]

cailean said:

Do you know why? These response networks operate around the UK and I thought they do a great job.

I think it stemmed from the state of some the vehicles turning up, and their owners come to think of it.
That, and the very extensive "training" that was given in a supermarket car park for half an hour one evening.

[Turbodiesel1690]

Interesting, I hadn't heard about this, may sign up although I'm out of Ulster most weeks Mon-Thur. Could do weekends though

[Art0ir]

Worthy cause definitely. I remember the a lot of the guys on the ITOCUK forums were very involved in this kind of thing, particularly during the bad weather. Never realised there was a Northern Irish equivalent.

[TheHeretic]

They have recently had an MoU signed with the Red Cross, so according to the chap doing it, "all systems go!"

[Zelda Pinwheel]

I'm quite involved with the Hampshire & Berkshire 4x4 Response group, both on the committee and as a responder. If anyone has any questions please fire away and I'll do my best to answer.