shropshire/ staffordshire

[Bob Hatcher]

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.