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The Big Freeze 2010

Request for Logistical Support from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary
23 December 2009   5 members to police stations, various locations
24 December 2009   1 member 04.30am call out
6 January 2010   7 members to police stations, various locations
12 January 2010  6 members to police stations, various locations

Request for Logistical Support from other Agencies
Between 5 January and 13 January 2010
We had 24 members active, plus three who enrolled immediately to work in Truro area totalling 27 members.
There were over 100 callouts, resulting in multiple journeys taking nurses and carers to their patients and clients throughout Devon and Cornwall.
Logistical support was provided for adult and community services within Devon and Cornwall e.g. staff to care homes.
During this time we also helped patients and staff reach Barnstaple, Bideford, Derriford, Royal Cornwall and Royal Devon & Exeter Hospitals and delivered emergency medication to isolated rural addresses.
We provided assistance to South West Ambulance Service Trust.
The first calls on 5 January were to take staff to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. Four members from Plymouth undertook the operation and three stayed overnight to work from 0600am the next day. These four members alone covered almost 900 miles between them. The active territory ranged from Penzance to Barnstaple and Bideford then across to Torbay.
There were over 20 new member enquiries, three of whom enrolled immediately to work in Truro area as previously mentioned.
One of these new members spent some time taking the Chairman of Cornwall County Council out to visit vulnerable people.

We also helped to free stranded motorists on the A38/A380 Haldon Hill, moving countless stranded vehicles and lorries including a stranded petrol tanker.
Our Big Freeze activities have been covered by BBC Spotlight, ITV Westcountry News and Radio Cornwall.
Dave Harris
Chairman Devon and Cornwall 4x4 Response

2010 has already been a busy year for us and more details will follow soon Previous Activity December 2009. The British Red Cross (RC) had offered to provide first aid training in return for the off road driver training we gave them in September. Twenty two members from across the region took part in the training at the RC offices in Exeter and were treated to a most interesting, engaging and informative practical day’s instruction. Everyone, even already experienced First Aiders claimed the course had enhanced their knowledge. RC offered us more training and said they would appreciate further off road training later in 2010. All participants will be receiving a credit card sized certificate. November 2009 17 members took part in a huge exercise at Okehampton Camp on Dartmoor. This was jointly run by the Police and the Dartmoor Search and Rescue groups to test out procedures and activities involved in rescuing over 100 participants lost in the Ten Tors Challenge. More than 500 people were involved and we were tasked to take BBC and ITV crews around the site. Our role was to carry casualties and searchers to their respective areas and bring them back at the close of play. Easier than it sounds with conditions being typically wet and cold. It was felt that the exercise achieved its objectives and D&C4x4 performed well. It is intended to hold training exercises of our own to develop and refine our own operations. September 2009 Provide basic offroad driver training day for the Dartmoor Rescue Group (DRG), Exmoor Search and Rescue (Exmoor SRT), Cornwall Search and Rescue (Cornwall SRT) and the British Red Cross. July 2009 Supporting Royal Marines in their Chara Challenge, charity fund raising 30 mile walk, across Dartmoor. March 2009 Honiton & Crediton– Assisting Police in heavy snow. February 2009 Honiton, Haldon Hill, Dartmoor  – Assisting Police and motorists in heavy snow; transporting prison staff to and from the gaol. November 2008 Okehampton Camp – Supporting Police and Dartmoor rescue group in large training and recovery exercise. October 2008 Ottery St. Mary – Assisting Police and Fire Crew in the severe floods

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