FAQ's
Are there any qualifications or other criteria that I need to join?
What is the commitment?
There is no binding commitment. All our members are volunteers, which means that you can give as much time, or as little time, as you can afford with no obligation at any time to individually respond to any callout.
As a group we are available 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year, each responder only need contribute what fits with their other life commitments. If a member can only contribute a few times a year, that's still valuable, as every deployment undertaken is one more that may otherwise not have been covered. Our system works on the basis of having sufficient numbers of members, that there will always be a percentage that will be available at any time, whatever the time of day, week or year.
Do I get paid? Will it cost me anything?
Our Charity is made up entirely of unpaid volunteers, who give their time and use of their own 4x4 vehicles, to help the emergency services, local authorities and health services in emergency situations, where their normal transport is unable to cope because of the weather or terrain, or their transport resources are depleted due to other concurrent incidents.
Members will receive free training in how we operate and what to do when called out, and will be able to claim for any fuel expenditure incurred when deployed. We do ask for a small annual membership fee of £30. This is to cover the equipment issued and administrative costs.
Most of our partners, such as the NHS, Home Oxygen Service and care providers, cover mileage so this helps to ensure our volunteers are not out of pocket. This is not always the case when on callouts but you will be informed should there be no reimbursement prior to accepting a tasking.
Do I need a tooled up truck?
No. There is a place for all types of all wheel drive vehicles in this 4x4 Response group. Some of our members have competition standard 4x4 vehicles fitted with mud tyres, winches, CB and Amateur Radio and any number of 'toys'. Others have standard unmodified family 4x4 saloon cars which don't stand out in a supermarket car park. Each vehicle type has it's uses, as comfort for a passenger on a hard packed snow road is as important for some incidents as the ability to cross a ploughed field would be in others.
95% of our callouts are on public roads, if you have a 4x4, whatever it's make, we have a role for it. We also have plenty of roles available for those wishing to become members who perhaps don't even own a vehicle, from essential controller roles and committee support.
What is the training like?
We run a variety of training events throughout the year at our dedicated off-road training areas. All our off-road training is done with permission on private land and is non-damaging to our vehicles. We are always seeking to improve access to such sites and have a varied number of training areas throughout the highlands that allow our members to train and gain skills in different environments and terrain. The ability to be able to drive off the beaten track through beautiful areas is a huge privilege that our members enjoy.
Training events are not compulsory but they are a highlight on our social calendar for meeting and bonding with the team you will be working with during a group deployment. To become an operational member you will need to attend some specific training days that provide the necessary sign off for certain taskings.
How do I join?
To start the process of joining our group, please get in touch with our Membership Secretary Stuart by filling out the contact form on the "How to Join" page, alternatively email: Membership@highland4x4response.com.
Please allow a minimum of two weeks for your application to be processed, we are all volunteers after all! If you haven't had a reply after a couple of weeks, it is possible an email has got lost in a spam trap. Please feel free to get in touch via the contact us form or alternatively message us through our Facebook page to check on progress.
- For Operational Responder roles, you must own a fully road legal 4x4 or AWD vehicle. (You do NOT need a vehicle for all roles).
- We ask that all members are willing to undergo a formal identity check and vetting check (PVG). We do this because, amongst other reasons, many of our deployments will find us transporting vulnerable people.
- Before being deployed operationally, we require you to attend a training day, in order to familiarise you with our operating procedures, and give you information on how to act when deployed.
- We also have a huge need for non-operational members to help us in many different support roles, for example: Fundraisers, or Controllers to manage the deployments and liaise with our service users; or perhaps you may have other qualifications, skills or experience that may bring a huge benefit of our charity.
- Last and not least, it's good to have some enthusiasm and a willingness to help others in difficult situations (you probably wouldn't be reading this page if you didn't).
What is the commitment?
There is no binding commitment. All our members are volunteers, which means that you can give as much time, or as little time, as you can afford with no obligation at any time to individually respond to any callout.
As a group we are available 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year, each responder only need contribute what fits with their other life commitments. If a member can only contribute a few times a year, that's still valuable, as every deployment undertaken is one more that may otherwise not have been covered. Our system works on the basis of having sufficient numbers of members, that there will always be a percentage that will be available at any time, whatever the time of day, week or year.
Do I get paid? Will it cost me anything?
Our Charity is made up entirely of unpaid volunteers, who give their time and use of their own 4x4 vehicles, to help the emergency services, local authorities and health services in emergency situations, where their normal transport is unable to cope because of the weather or terrain, or their transport resources are depleted due to other concurrent incidents.
Members will receive free training in how we operate and what to do when called out, and will be able to claim for any fuel expenditure incurred when deployed. We do ask for a small annual membership fee of £30. This is to cover the equipment issued and administrative costs.
Most of our partners, such as the NHS, Home Oxygen Service and care providers, cover mileage so this helps to ensure our volunteers are not out of pocket. This is not always the case when on callouts but you will be informed should there be no reimbursement prior to accepting a tasking.
Do I need a tooled up truck?
No. There is a place for all types of all wheel drive vehicles in this 4x4 Response group. Some of our members have competition standard 4x4 vehicles fitted with mud tyres, winches, CB and Amateur Radio and any number of 'toys'. Others have standard unmodified family 4x4 saloon cars which don't stand out in a supermarket car park. Each vehicle type has it's uses, as comfort for a passenger on a hard packed snow road is as important for some incidents as the ability to cross a ploughed field would be in others.
95% of our callouts are on public roads, if you have a 4x4, whatever it's make, we have a role for it. We also have plenty of roles available for those wishing to become members who perhaps don't even own a vehicle, from essential controller roles and committee support.
What is the training like?
We run a variety of training events throughout the year at our dedicated off-road training areas. All our off-road training is done with permission on private land and is non-damaging to our vehicles. We are always seeking to improve access to such sites and have a varied number of training areas throughout the highlands that allow our members to train and gain skills in different environments and terrain. The ability to be able to drive off the beaten track through beautiful areas is a huge privilege that our members enjoy.
Training events are not compulsory but they are a highlight on our social calendar for meeting and bonding with the team you will be working with during a group deployment. To become an operational member you will need to attend some specific training days that provide the necessary sign off for certain taskings.
How do I join?
To start the process of joining our group, please get in touch with our Membership Secretary Stuart by filling out the contact form on the "How to Join" page, alternatively email: Membership@highland4x4response.com.
Please allow a minimum of two weeks for your application to be processed, we are all volunteers after all! If you haven't had a reply after a couple of weeks, it is possible an email has got lost in a spam trap. Please feel free to get in touch via the contact us form or alternatively message us through our Facebook page to check on progress.