4x4 Response Wales News Items 12/02/2010

Cwmbran Recruitment Evening 4th March 2010

The next recruitment and information evening will be held at The Three Blackbirds, Llantarnam, Cwmbran, NP44 3AY (OS Grid Ref ST301 924) on 4th March at 7:30pm. The evening is aimed at any 4x4 owners willing to make themselves and their vehicles available to the Emergency Planning Service during severe adverse weather and/or local emergency.

The Group was kept very busy across Wales in the recent heavy snow undertaking over 100 callouts in support of Emergency Services, Hospitals, and Social Care.

It is proposed to hold a monthly meeting in the area once the core local group is formed and training will be organised for new members to bring them up to basic Responder requirements as soon as possible.

Responder Callouts

The group was put on standby by the Powys Emergency Planning Officer over the holiday period to provide logistical support during the period of heavy snow and ice. Several volunteers were tasked with providing transportation for care workers in the Rhayader and Llanidloes areas and one member provided transport for nursing staff at Carmarthen Hospital.

The Group has again been put on standby at 1330 on 4th Jan pending a severe weather forecast for Wales.

New Membership and training update

Membership of the Group is now up to 94 members spread across Wales and the Borders of which over 50% have completed basic Responder Training. The Group is always looking for new volunteers and a recruitment evening will be held shortly in the Gwent area and also in the Wrexham area.

The Group will be holding a Responder Training weekend in the Llandovery area over the weekend of 23/24 Jan which will include Off Road Driving, Basic Vehicle Recovery Techniques, Basic First Aid and a Navigation Exercise. The Group will also be arranging for the assessment of some if it’s members to NPTC standard over that weekend.

Would your Club or Group be interested in finding out more about 4x4 Response Wales?

The Group has put together formal presentation outlining the activities and benefits of membership and demonstrating how members are being equipped to support their local communities during severe weather and other local emergencies.

If you know of a club or organisation that would like to find out more about the Group then please get in touch: info@4x4responsewales.org

NPTC Off Road Driving Instructors

Six of the Groups senior members have successfully completed NPTC Off Road Driving Assessments including a Winching module. These members will now be responsible for delivering Off Road Driver Training for other Group members to bring them up to the standard required for NPTC assessment. The training took place in September and the Group are very grateful for the support provided by Llanerchindda Farm, FCW and Wild Trackers Off Road Training specialists

LANTRA Winching & Vehicle Recovery Instructors

The Group has nine members who have completed a LANTRA Safe Winching and Vehicle Recovery Assessment and these members are now able to provide Winching Training and Demonstrations to other Group members and partners.

Red Cross Off Road Driving Experience
2009 the Group organised an Off Road Driving Experience programme aimed at building the competence and confidence of 24 Red Cross employees and volunteers. The Group set up and marshalled a course and provided guidance to the Red Cross Group in using the new Land Rover 110s ion a variety or terrains and conditions.