Volunteers of the Derbyshire 4×4 emergency response unit scour the Peak District in aid of those stranded – and from walkers to the emergency services, the group helps whoever is in need.
The group does offer logistical support to emergency services, but they also work closely with the NHS and private health care staff in adverse weather conditions to make sure that those in remote places around Derbyshire are still getting the healthcare they need.
The volunteers make sure that no matter the weather they will always be able to get out and help, with kitted out 4×4 vehicles equipped with snow tyres and control room support, they will always be ready for any incident they respond to.
The group was initially founded around three years ago by a group of eight people, who were either active or retired responders who still wanted to do their bit.
Sam Vincent, 31, a trustee and secretary of the group, has been with the group since its founding. He said: “A few of us were responders in previous lives, and we just came together as we wanted to continue helping people. When we first started we had around 50 excess years of experience in being emergency responders, but we have people from a range of different backgrounds now.
“We are connected by the fact we drive 4x4s. So in terms of volunteers, we have various different roles. We wanted to do it in a way that was right and professional.
One of the responder vehicles out in the snow.
(Image: Derbyshire 4×4 Response)
“We have everything from people that work with fundraising to responder support who help with different queries or problems then we have the responders themselves. We have different levels of responders as well with some going out to emergency call outs and some helping out with carer runs.”
The group of volunteers raises money through fundraising events and by helping out with logistical support at events such as Y Not Festival which all goes back into vehicle maintenance.
While their work does entail responding to emergency call outs at all hours of the day and night, the majority of their dutires involves the responders helping nurses/carers getting from A to B.
Not all of the team is made up of responders, as the group of volunteers also has a group of control room operators who help plan the call outs and support them.
However when the weather becomes unpredictable the group are often asked by Derbyshire police to use their services to check for stranded vehicles and help those in need.
Sam continued: “We get sent out to various traffic incidents where we are in a position to help. This year when we had a bad bout of snow we helped recover an ambulance crew and their equipment from a remote location, so they can get out of there and continue their work.
“We’ve been quite busy this year with incidents at the start of the year, but we have been focusing a lot on our fundraising efforts. Overnight it tends to be more of the emergency service stuff, as we know that the police and EMAS are not funded in the way they used to be.
Some of the Derbyshire 4×4 team out with their vehicles
(Image: Derbyshire 4×4 Response)
“So they might not have the equipment to deal with some of the situations so we can help them out with that. We work with a lot of different groups, maybe from different counties as well, so we have quite a large patch.”
The group is based all around Derbyshire however they get the majority of their call outs in Ashbourne and Chesterfield. Sam also explained that when the weather is particularly bad they often offer help to Royal Derby Hospital.
Derbyshire 4×4 are always looking for more volunteers to come and join their group, so if you have a 4×4 or just want to help the group then please contact the following email address: membership@d4x4r.co.uk