Sussex 4×4 Response has been very busy providing a vital Service since not long after the snow had started to fall on Friday 18th Jan and throughout the weekend and into the start of the new week, Our Team of 130 volunteers stepped in to provide much needed support in the snow.
Sussex 4×4 Response provides vital back up transport for the staff of the NHS in Sussex, our aim is to provide a service in bad weather that is constantly available, the team consists of highly trained volunteers who give up their time and skills and the use of there 4×4 vehicles in emergencies to serve the community.
we worked very closely with emergency planning departments to safely transport Hospital/Hospice staff around the whole of Sussex from Chichester to Rye.
We have taken staff to and from Hospitals day and night and taken critical care nurses on their rounds throughout the day & night in the Snow and Ice, Running this operation was a 24hr team effort of dedicated volunteer controllers & 4×4 drivers, things have been busy but manageable and all in a days work for the volunteer team at Sussex 4×4 Response.
When most people pack up and can’t get out this is the time we are most active we enjoy our work and giving help to others.
Sussex 4×4 Response currently has nearly 130 volunteers spread across East & West Sussex that are trained, equipped and ready to respond at any time, all vehicles carry a minimal list of equipment at all times and intend to get to parts others can’t reach especially in winter.
Sussex 4×4 Response recognises that it has a great team of volunteers that it can be very proud of, and we would like to thank all of the Dispatch team and the Responders for all their hard work put in during this period you did a brilliant job.
We have already received a number of messages of appreciation from our service users including these comments:
“A huge ‘Thank you to you and all the team of volunteer drivers for providing a fantastic support for our carers over the weekend. I don’t know how we would have covered the care calls without your fantastic support”
“As always – your support was very much appreciated. Please pass on our thanks to the drivers and to the Admin team who were so helpful and worked with such good humour throughout the event.”
“Simply put, we wouldn’t have got through the weekend without you.”
Snow Report by Adam, Callsign SX027
Well the Snow had been forecast for Friday the 18th January I have to say that I was excited so I woke up at 4am and watch the snow getting closer on #uksnowmap and Met Office Hazard manager. It didn’t disappoint by 7am it was snowing hard in Chichester and soon followed right across Sussex with about 6-8 hours of heavy snow. There was approx. 12 cm of snow on the bench outside here in Chidham. The problems then became with untreated roads and the side roads of estates. Saturday and Sunday saw light snow to the North and West of the region and ice became the main problem along with some freezing fog to make things interesting. The rain started today 22 January and the ice got worse and the areas north of the Downs and Brighton and further East have had heavy snow again. It has been a real testing time for the last Five days with a couple more to come before the thaw starts at the weekend.
Anthony, Callsign SX139 Eastbourne Area
“The call out I did on Sunday was my first as I only signed up in December, So from a new person’s perspective I thought it all worked really well.
On Sunday evening I replied to a few jobs and picked up a Crowborough run.
A big thanks to those behind the laptops over the weekend. And loving the ‘team’ feel of this group.”
John, Callsign SX135 Brighton Area
“My first time responding went really well in my opinion, Dispatch worked excellently I thought, I know all too well that dispatching can be a very stressful job, and I take my hat off to anyone who takes that job on! Well done!”
For further information please see: http://www.sussex4x4response.org.uk
We are always looking for volunteer 4×4 drivers & for support members to fulfill a number of important roles within the team in Sussex if you think you would like to get involved please see our website: http://sussex4x4response.org.uk/how-to-join/
If you would like to make a donation to Sussex 4×4 Response (Registered Charity 1142557)
Any amount you could donate would be gratefully received by the Team
Please click on the Just Giving button below, Thank You.
Sussex 4×4 Response – BBC South East Today Interview 20th Jan 2013
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opl09zX8K0g]