January 24, 2019 - 1125 views
Volunteer 4x4 drivers from a Welsh charity have joined forces with local Police to help with transportation at short notice during times of adverse weather.
Under a newly-signed agreement, members of 4x4 Response Wales will volunteer to help support officers and staff at major incidents – such as flooding and heavy snow.
Roles could include taking key staff to work such as doctors, nurses and carers; delivering supplies such as food and medication to families or patients in remote areas; providing transport for police officers and local authorities in severe weather and during emergencies and supporting rescue organisations in severe weather and in difficult terrain.
Inspector Craig Jones of the Force’s Operational Planning Team said: “The 4x4 Response Wales Team could be of great help in an emergency. They will allow us to help more people by reducing the logistical problems that can be caused by extreme weather conditions, especially in more rural areas.
“It must be stressed, 4x4 Response Wales are not there to replace existing emergency service vehicles, but rather to complement them in times of high demand or where resources have become stretched.”
Deputy Chief Constable Richard Debicki said: “Volunteers from 4x4 Response Wales have the experience and expertise to control these vehicles when conditions can be especially tricky. This is a fantastic resource which is available to us and I am extremely grateful to them for their continued support.”
Mark Margetts, a trustee of 4x4 Response Wales added: “Through this agreement we are pleased to be able to provide support from our large pool of well-trained volunteer drivers and their vehicles to assist the north Wales community in times of need.”
4x4 Response Wales is a charity that provides regular training and assessment of responders and their vehicles to ensure that they are sufficiently competent to provide assistance and support safely when required, and make them available across Wales where needed.
The Welsh organisation forms part of the national UK 4x4 Network, in which members agree to respond in severe weather, flooding, or other emergencies. In an emergency, officers will contact the charity’s coordinators who will mobilise the volunteers.
