Exciting news!!  We have been given a Divisional Commander’s Certificate of Merit by Detective Chief Superintendent, Angela Chapman, for the support South East 4x4 Response provided during the search for a 16 year old boy in November 2024.  Well done to those members of the teams who were out over two weekends providing transport during the extensive search.

Kent Police requested support with moving a burnt out vehicle along a byway last night. Two responders attended the scene to drag the burnt out vehicle to a point where the recovery truck could remove the vehicle.

Chief Inspector Andy Brittenden presenting our chairman, David and our Quartermaster, Mark with 10 trauma kits kindly donated by Kent Police. These kits are a vital resource for our chainsaw operatives and trailers during the winter storm season.

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.

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.

South East 4x4 Response teams were out most of the weekend supporting Kent Search and Rescue (KSAR) along with Kent Police, looking for a missing person in the vicinity of the Sittingbourne area. Transport was provided for the many KSAR search teams along with the search dogs, to and from woodland areas. All were extremely grateful to the Salvation Army who provided sustenance and to the Red Lion in Milstead who were happy for us to use their facilities - a great team spirit from many agencies.

A wonderful morning supporting Chatham Remembrance Parade. Our members along with members from Kent Search and Rescue volunteered their time to manage road closures to keep the parade safe on behalf of Medway Council.

Saturday saw our team of South East 4x4 Response Chainsaw Operatives take part in an "experience gaining" exercise.  Leeds Castle, provided a woodland area with fallen trees and other challenges. The team tackled a number of these fallen trees, all simulating what they might come across on Kent highways following stormy weather and a Kent Police call out. 

They were set the task of assessing each scenario from a health and safety aspect and working out which was the best and safest way to clear each tree. These were trees which had fallen straight onto the floor thus simulating a blocked road. Smaller trees caught on bushes, or other obstacles, simulated the way trees might hang over a roadway.  It was a great morning for the members to get their hands dirty and to practise the skills they have been taught during their City and Guilds accredited training course. 

We have a dedicated volunteer team of trained and qualified Chainsaw Responders who are ready to keep our Kent roads open when requested to do so by Kent Police.