We were pleased to meet 6 lovely people at Mickey's Diner this week who came to find out what we do, ask questions and decide whether they wish to join us. A detailed chat ensued, information given along with application form detail. We are expecting at least 4 to follow through and join us as volunteers once the Kent Police vetting procedure has been processed. Our next Meet n Greet will be on 9 July 2025, time and venue to be confirmed.
We are delighted that two of our members recently achieved the Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work plus Forestry (RQF) qualification. With thanks to SC First Aid Training for running the course.
This month we held our monthly meeting at the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance facility where our members were fully briefed on the life saving service provided by the air ambulance team to our south east communities. We were also able to view one of the service's road response vehicles. A huge thank you to the air ambulance team for giving us their valuable time to explain what they do.
Kent Police made a request to South East 4x4 Response for support to Yalding Community during the extreme flooding that took place following recent rainfall. Over 48 hours South East 4x4 Response volunteers manned the road blocks to advise drivers about the flooding until the waters subsided. There were some incidents where drivers decided to drive through the flooding regardless with vehicles becoming stranded. Some of our team were able to pull the vehicles clear to ensure the routes remained open for those with suitable vehicles. A big thank you to those members of the Yalding community who offered tea, coffee and sustenance also the occasional use of much needed facilities.
Kent Police requested assistance from South East 4x4 Response overnight to localised overnight snow in the Sevenoaks area. Responders assisted the police with the location and transport of "missing" drivers and stood by to ensure the successful recovery of damaged vehicles. Responders also offered traction assistance to vehicles which had become stranded owing to the slippery conditions.
Following a call from Kent Search and Rescue (KSAR) for assistance with transport, two of our Responder teams provided 4x4 support for KSAR volunteer search teams looking for a vulnerable person during the afternoon and evening of New Year's Eve.
South East 4x4 Response volunteers were called to help a bearded elderly gentlemen who was stranded in his delivery vehicle in a snowy, forested area. Our members helped push his sleigh out of the snow as his reindeer were exhausted. Hopefully all parcels were delivered on time. Merry Christmas to all our followers!
Santa has had support from South East 4x4 Response volunteers in both Borough Green and Sittingbourne with transport and sleigh rounds to see the children.
Two of our chainsaw teams were out over night in strong winds and driving rain during Storm Darragh, removing trees blocking roads in different parts of the county, in response to Kent Police requests.
Our trained chainsaw and chainsaw support responders braved Storm Bert on a particularly dark wet windy night to remove a tree blocking a road in Edenbridge, having been called out by Kent Police. A second tree was removed on the following morning by one of our chainsaw responders with the support of Kent Police.
