shropshire/ staffordshire
 

hi im from shifnal in shropshire not to far from north wales or staffordshire, looked a while ago to see if there was anything in this area wehich i dont think there is

i drive a modified discovery and also have a classic series 3

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Hi Simon and welcome

There is a New group just started in North Wales if you are interested contact Andy Richards who is team co-ordinator for the North Wales group andydoors@hotmail.co.uk, he will sort you out.

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Hi Simon,



A new tream is in the process of forming to cover Staffordshire & Shropshire, probably to be called West Midlands 4x4 Response -- drop me an E-mail for contact details.

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

I was about to reply to Simon that if he waited a few minutes a new group would pop up on his doorstep and sure enough not one but two have. At this rate we will have covered the whole of the UK by the weekend :roll:

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

[quote name="robin-baldwin"]I was about to reply to Simon that if he waited a few minutes a new group would pop up on his doorstep and sure enough not one but two have. At this rate we will have covered the whole of the UK by the weekend :roll:[/quote]



many a true word :roll: :roll:

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

What ever your doing guys, keep up the good work.

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

[quote name="BobWessex"]Hi Simon,



A new tream is in the process of forming to cover Staffordshire & Shropshire, probably to be called West Midlands 4x4 Response -- drop me an E-mail for contact details.[/quote]





Who? What? Where? When?





How did I miss that ??? :D





Unless, of course, you mean the (short) discussion on the CRAG forums about starting a group. I just suggested they had the discussion on here - makes much more sense!!

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Hi Tim,



That would be the discussion I've had with a couple of guys about setting up a team. One asking about setting up a team in Shropshire and the other re Staffordshire-- It made sense for them to talk to each other and combine forces.



I've asked Andre & John to log on and update folks with where things are.

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

I think there's quite a few people in the area, so it may be worth trying to get them all together...maybe just by starting a 'possible new group' thread and inviting people to post their interest.



There's at least 4 people talking about it on the CRAG forum, and it's been mentioned on here often.

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

so how does this all work then once the group has set up, do we need special training, looking at the equipment list on wales response i cary all the equipment all the time anyway and alot more junk, in the disco



would there be local meetings



thanks si

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Hi Si



what you carry depends pretty much on what you're being called to, for instance if the vehicle is full of kit you can't carry the gear to set up a rest centre (no room). Conversely if you've been called out due to heavy snow, waffle boards, maps, coffee, food, warm clothing etc are all needed.



I always advise members in Wessex to carry what is likely to be needed but not what isn't likely to be. i.e. if going to an incident on the M5 in summer would you carry the same as if you were going to remote villages in winter. Also of course the more that you carry the more the vehicle weighs so the more fuel it uses,



Again depending on what you are doing the chances are that you already do the "special training", primarily we do on-road driving etc.



Different teams have different views on what training, qualifications etc are required, which may well be dictated by your 'user bodies'. For instance Someret CCU requires a minimum three years experience of driving and no more than 6 penalty points.



I would suggest that as a minimum your application form and annual renewal should require a declaration that members have a licence to drive the type of vehicle, and that the insurance policy permits voluntary use. Some teams insist on seeing the licence.

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Si



A lot of the answers are on the website:



http://www.4x4response.info/public/p...=formANewGroup



But feel free to ask questions:



As Bob says, there are suggested equipment lists that most of us use and will vary due to season or task but yes it is what most greenlaners or off roaders might carry anyway.



As he also say, training is a mixed bag as there is nothing specific out there for 4x4 response itself, given the wide range of tasks we can get asked to carry out. However there are lots of areas of training that can be very useful.



Off road skills is the obvious one but much of our potential use is in fact on-road.



Recovery or winch training is another but these are tasks we don't really promote ourselves as doing, although in reality can end up being asked to do.



First Aid training is also good, more for yourself and being aware of how to operate around casualties as we don't exist to replace the Ambulance Trusts, Red Cross, St Johns etc.



Amateur radio training is common, again we are not here to replace Raynet but many groups are using AR to provide enhanced and resilient communications.



We have many IAM members amongst our numbers, so Advanced Driving is another useful skill.



Navigation training is one that can get overlooked due to the reliance on Sat Nav but can be an essential skill in itself.



I'm sure there's more that people might suggest.



As for meetings, many groups have monthly meets some social, some more formal and some groups have several due to their large geographic areas.



Other consideratoions for a new group are liability insurance and uniforms/PPE both of which can (or will be soon) obtained through membership of the National Network.



Regards



Tony

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

To add to my previous, identification should ALWAYS be carried, as should H/V vests/jackets depending on the weather.

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

I live in Shropshire :roll: :lol:



Paul

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

good speaking to you last night bob as im out of work at the moment ive got plenty of time to help with the set up and fundrasing, once ive spoken with the others you told me about, i think i have all the equipment i will ever need

and thanks for the advice ive spoke to a few people i know in the area and a few of them are interested

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Hi Simon, always glad to be of help, and as I say if you know a pub in/near Newport I'm sure that I can justify a visit to family one weekend soon.

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Simon, it is worth having a word with Mark Margetts of the Wales group. He will be able to help a lot. Also as a lot of the Welsh group live down the border I am sure a lot would help. Also it would be easy to join the Welsh training weekends.



Paul

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

[quote name="BobWessex"]Hi Simon, always glad to be of help, and as I say if you know a pub in/near Newport I'm sure that I can justify a visit to family one weekend soon.[/quote]



yea i know one just outside newport about 5 mins from the centre and its got a big car park still havent spoke to the other 2 yet, maybe we can get anyone intrested to go aswell



so weve got to get liability insurance , how much cover would the group need and is there any other insurance we need

who was it you said i had to contact within the local council once weve got it all started i was thinking about going to the local newspapers for advertising and i think ill be able to sort some sort of discount with roean landrover services for members when i pop in next



how did the other groups get funding or was it just from membership and how much do most groups charge



thanks si

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

[quote name="simon holland"]
[quote name="BobWessex"]Hi Simon, always glad to be of help, and as I say if you know a pub in/near Newport I'm sure that I can justify a visit to family one weekend soon.[/quote]



yea i know one just outside newport about 5 mins from the centre and its got a big car park still havent spoke to the other 2 yet, maybe we can get anyone intrested to go aswell -- sounds good to me



so weve got to get liability insurance, how much cover would the group need --- We have a national policy which you can sign up to, currently £2.10 per member, if the team joins the national network (£25/year) - so that's easily sorted- and is there any other insurance we need --- Individual members will need to ensure that they are covered for voluntary work on their vehicle policies

who was it you said i had to contact within the local council once weve got it all started -- Try the Emergency Planning Office sometimes called the Civil Contingencies Unit -- i was thinking about going to the local newspapers for advertising and i think ill be able to sort some sort of discount with roean landrover services for members when i pop in next -- Always worth a try, much will depend on who you speak to



how did the other groups get funding or was it just from membership and how much do most groups charge -- We (wessex) charge £10 per year (£20 in the first year) Most teams charge some thing but it does vary widely. One of the reasons that we charge an annual membership is to ensure that our membership lists are reasonably up to date. - you might get some local sponsorship but it does tend to be catch 22 unless you have a member with his own business. We have almost finalised a national sponsorship deal which will enable teams who are members of National Network to provide a jacket per member.



thanks si[/quote]

shropshire/ staffordshire
 

sent a message to andre about starting one in shrops ans staffs will be meeting up at some point so if anyone else is intrested get your names down and ill keep in contact with you

any help from other groups about starting up would be usefull

thanks si

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Is shropshire/ staffordshire going to cover West Midlands? I think that was suggested at some point.



If so (and probably also if not) I'm interested in a more local group - currently my nearest id Glos (though I haven't made it down there yet due to chaos at home)





I suppose I should also offer to help out with a website, as that's sort of my thing.

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

i think it will cover the west mids aswell, im meeting up with andre soon to sort out the set up of the group in the next month or so hopfully if we can get a few people interested any advice is welcome as im have not been a member of a response group before and ill keep people updated



and thanks tim for offering to help with the website ill let you know soon



thanks si

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Looking at the number of new members who have joined in the last few days from Staffordshire Shropshire and the general West Midlands area, I would say that the main thing now is to get together either face to face or on-line and see if you can form a committee. That is always the first step, if needs be the "founding committee" can step aside once others come on board.



Basically you will need a Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. There are lots of other roles, such as membership sec, callout controller, web master etc but they can be combined with those three "Officerships".

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Hi Everyone....



I too am one of the ones who were discussing a Shropshire group on the CRAG forum.



I live in Telford and would certainly be interested in joining a Shrops/Staffs/West Mids group.



I dont have the time to run a group but would certainly be able to offer a few hours a week to aid the running.



Send me a PM or email with any info that any one has that may be of use.



I look forward to getting involved!

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

I have merged the two Sghropshire/Staffordshire posts, so that everything is in one place. -- It is starting to look good in that area. Keep it going guys. 8-)

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

In respects of a name, West Midlands makes sense as although most people may not think of Shropshire and Staffordshire as being "West Mids" (as there is obviously a separate County of that name) they do fall in to the Government Region of West Midlands.



The region includes



Staffordshire (county Council)

Shropshire (unitary council)

Telford & Wrekin (unitary)

Stoke on Trent (unitary)

West Midlands (county)

Warwickshire (county)



As well as those areas already covered by existing groups:



Worcestershire (county) Gloucestershire & Worcestershire 4x4 Response

Herefordshire (unitary) Herefordshire 4x4 Response

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

West Mids sounds good to me...

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

It is also better when it comes to using the inititials for the national ident. :?

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

yea dont think ss would go down to well wm is a bit better

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Hey chaps



I am a member of CRAG and GLASS and live in Telford. Would be happy to get involved in something like this as and when shifts allow

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

so thats 3 from the telford area so far im waiting for a message back theres a good chance the meets will be at bridgnorth when i have found a pub with a big enough car park with a landlord that doesnt mind will make some phone calls tomorow

i think the group is going to grow quite quickly there seems to be a lot of people intrested

thanks si

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

anyone intrested in this group pm me and ill let you know a meeting point and when its going to be it will be the first for this group

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Not an issue to start with, but we may need to find another more central meeting point when we know how the membership ends up.



Bridgenorth isn't really central for WM......though it is for most of the people that have shown interest so far.





Tim.C

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

we will relook at the pub once we have more members when i know where everyone is we can sort something out



we might have to have smaller meets in the futurer as i think there could be alot of members so far 3 possibly 4 near telford 1 nr ludlow and 2 in the west mids and i havent advertised on the big forums yet just working on the paper work side at the moment

thanks si

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Simon



I think from your recent posts you're definitely volunteering for one of the 3 key posts :)





I would volunteer myself, but I'm crap with money, and hate paper work, so that rules 2 of the 3 out :D:D:D

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

[quote name="TimChilde"]Simon



I think from your recent posts you're definitely volunteering for one of the 3 key posts :)





I would volunteer myself, but I'm crap with money, and hate paper work, so that rules 2 of the 3 out :D:D:D[/quote]



as im out of work at the moment ive got plenty of time on my hands so i dont mide setting it all up if i can get enough people to volunteer as once im back at work ill only be able to put 1-2 hours into this a day at the most but for now im happy doing the paperwork im getting alot of help of bob and a few other people in other response groups about what we need and what weve got to do

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Just a heads up - had 2 guys from Warwickshire meet me at the Emergency Services Show - they were looking at setting up a team there - have pointed them at this thread - they were from WMAS so are probably an asset to you on the user side as well... Even if they are a separate team...

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Now that could be confusing :? ...



A team covering the West Midlands that is separate to the West Midlands Team.



Maybe it will have to be "Sierra, Sierra" after all :D

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

[quote name="Tony Ferrari"]Now that could be confusing :? ...



A team covering the West Midlands that is separate to the West Midlands Team.



Maybe it will have to be "Sierra, Sierra" after all :D[/quote]



Unless they form one team for the 3 counties?

Re: shropshire/ staffordshire
 

Is warwickshire not East midlands?



I know the NHS and ambulance etc have all joined to make larger teams recently!