Letters Of Thanks 2010

[BobWessex]

Received today from the Secretary of State, myself and the five named members met him last week

[kevin-smith]

http://www.4x4response.info/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif Thanks from the highest order!! At least the Secretary Of State knows there are many people willing to give their time to help others in their hour, or sometimes longer, of need!!

[andy powys05]

Just a shame they haven't got the time to proof read what their secretaries put on their desk to sign!!!!!



Sorry, i have my synical head on!



... and no ... i haven't checked my secretaries spelling lol



Nice to be recognised though ... we are certainly getting there!!

[TimChilde]

cynicalÂ* http://www.4x4response.info/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen.gif

[Tony Ferrari]

And don't forget on the same day that Bob was meeting the SoS, we received our best endorsement by Government to date. The Department for Communities and Local Government launced their leaflet Volunteering and neighbourliness: Helping out in severe weather (http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/1432422) Which contains the paragraph



4x4 drivers



4x4 drivers can consider joining one of the response groups located across the country. These offer a variety of services to local authorities, emergency services and other volunteer agencies. Principally this is providing reliable transport in times of severe weather (snow, gales, heavy rain and floods) and other major emergencies. This can be to transport essential personnel or supplies to areas that would be hard or impossible to reach in normal vehicles and/or in support of local authorities’ rest centres. Across the country there are at least 21 response groups. If you are interested in finding out more contact www.4x4response.info



And yes this is the revised version after we had told them they had the old website address but they still didn't get the number of groups right as there are now 30 groups.

[BobWessex]

Now has anyone noted the time that we met the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Governmentand the time that the info went up? http://www.4x4response.info/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_e_smile.gif http://www.4x4response.info/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif

[Teresa Herefordshire]

Just a shame they haven't got the time to proof read what their secretaries put on their desk to sign!!!!!



Sorry, i have my synical head on!



... and no ... i haven't checked my secretaries spelling lol



Nice to be recognised though ... we are certainly getting there!!







Now I think we're getting a litle bit pedantic! http://www.4x4response.info/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif



It's nice to read some positive press - we'll soon be back to being gas guzzlers so make the most of it!

[BobWessex]

I've just replied to this from Dorset Police



Dear Bob



Apologies for the belated nature of this contact, but could I on behalf of all within the Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole LRF, sincerely thank you, Rod and your membership once again for the sterling support that you provided us here in the county over the recent severe weather.



Such is the reputation that you and your members have achieved over the last couple of years that I assure you whenever we are threatened with the worst of what the weather can throw at us – your association is right up there within LRF (and police) considerations as one of the first ports of call.



As in previous episodes – you have not let us down and this is truly appreciated.



Given the voluntary nature of your inputs and effort it’s wholly commendable that you achieve the results that you do.



I can assure you these views are not my own and are fully supported by LRF coordinator colleagues throughout the region (copied)





It would be extremely useful for us (as a coordinating group) if there was any chance that you’d be able to supply us with a copy or précis of your operational logs and deployments across the region (Avon & Somerset, Devon & Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucester & Wilts).



It would also be beneficial if there were any feedback or debrief points that you would want to raise with us individually (in respect of LRF engagement) or collectively that we might better manage call out requests and prioritisation of tasking etc



Apologies if colleagues have already requested this from you



But please, let me finish as I started, in thanking you sincerely for all the valuable help and assistance provided



Best regards



Chief Inspector Glen Chalk



Manager: Operational & Contingency Planning Section



(LRF Coordinator)



Joint Emergency Services Building



Wimborne Rd



Poole

[Russ laye]

Sorry Bob, having a brain Fart.



Whats LRF?

[BobWessex]

LRF Local Resilience Forum, the coming together of all CAT1 responders, with input from CAT2 responders and the voluntary agencies, normally chaired by the local Police, certainly based on their operational area. During the recent snow, there was a Silver command tele-conference around 11:00 each day when the various Blue light Services PCT, Highways etc discussed their committments and available resources.



The LRFs in turn come together to create the RRF or Regional Resilience Forum.



I'm sure that Tony with his greater knowledge of the statutory side of Emergency planning can add more.

[Tony Ferrari]

Well yes I can add more http://www.4x4response.info/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_mrgreen.gif



Chain of Command in Emergency Planning descends from Central Government with the Civil Contingencies Secretariat of the Cabinet Office. This in turn directs the Regional Resilience Forums in England and Wales who are based on the Government Offices. They in turn direct the Local Resilience Forums, "local" in the meaning of the Civil Contingencies Act is at Police Service/Constabulary Areas.



As Bob says LRFs are multi agency bodies that allow all category one responders (Blue Light Services, Local Authorities, Primary Care Trusts, Acute Hospitals, Health Protection Agency, Envoronment Agency etc) to meet and plan emergency preparedness, share information and carry out joint response, exercising and training). However not always chaired by the Police as in Hertfordshire this role falls to the County Council and in Essex to the Fire and Rescue Service.



In Scotland a very similar system operates but LRFs are known as Strategic Coordinating Groups (SCG). This can be confusing as this term is used in a different context in England and Wales, the SCG being the multi agency Gold Command that forms in a major incident.



Loads more info here if you are interested http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ukresilience.aspx

[nigel leyland]

It really excellent to know that such feedback and appreciation is being received......



......and thanks for the additional insight into the chain of command and variuos relationships. As ever excellence provided by one team will inevitably serve to raise the standing of others.....and to that end we must all be aware that imperfection on our own parts could reflect negetively on other groups!



Well done to all concerned.



Nigel.

[BobWessex]

Another couple of letters of thanks. As I have just e-mailed the guys in Wessex, they may be addressed to me but it is the hard work of the guys on the frontline that has given us the reputation that we have, not only in the Wessex area but throughout the UK

[BobWessex]

And the local press (http://www.thewestonmercury.co.uk/content/twm/news/story.aspx?brand=Westonmercury&category=news&tBrand=westonmercury&tCategory=znews&itemid=WeED28%20Jan%202010%2012%3A42%3A38%3A563) says thanks

[Tony Ferrari]

A very nice letter from Hertfordshire County Council http://www.4x4response.info/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[BobWessex]

Nice one Tony







Guys, there must be other letters. if you get them please share them, they may well be useful ammo in future negotiations

[nigel leyland]

Nice one Tony







Guys, there must be other letters. if you get them please share them, they may well be useful ammo in future negotiations





I can assure you Bob, the day we get a letter like that we'll be shouting about it, a favourable email wouldn't go amiss!....excellent press coverage that one.....well done again to all concerned.



Nigel.

[BobWessex]

Not sure wehether this should go under 2009 or 2010.

Either way although it has my name on it, it is the result of all the hard work by the guys in Wessex 4x4 Response

[DavePrice]

Dear Bob, Well done to you all. It must feel very nice to get acknowledgements of the good work. Dave Price,

[BobWessex]

It is indeed and I think that more will follow around the country. If a team gets recognition locally that same recognition can be used by teams having problems i.e. "look what your colleagues gave our colleagues"

[robin-baldwin]

Congrats Bob and Team,

Well deserved recognition

[Dave White]

Very clear recognition - nice - guess they don't give those out casually!

[Tony Ferrari]

Nice one Bob, or is it Sir Bob yet?

:D:D:D

[BobWessex]

:p:p


You can call me sir if you want. :rolleyes:

[Patrick Molloy]

Bob, congratulations to you and Wessex 4x4
Its great and good publicity too for the organisation. Well Done.

[Simon Bentley]

Just to bump this thread back up to the top.

I've started compiling a document bringing all these letters together for use when contacting national goverment etc. If anyone has any more they are willing to share please post them or email them direct to myself

simon.bentley@4x4response.info

thanks

Simon

[John M]

This one came to us yesterday



Obviously, for a very new team, we are rather happy!

[WessexMario]

We have some more letters posted here, from the snow & ice in Feb 2009 :)
http://www.wessex4x4response.org.uk/reports/200902.Alabaster/alabasterLOT.htm
.

[robin-baldwin]

This one came to us yesterday



Obviously, for a very new team, we are rather happy!

Ciongrats John & team, absolutely excellent and a real boost for a new team.