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View the photos The following was received on July 31st
"Bob, finally got 2 minutes to take some time out to let you know by e- mail the great work 4x4 response are doing for us. We will follow up with something more formal obviously. For now it must be said that these guys have been an exceptional support. We would never have shifted the litreage we have in this operation, helping THE MOST vulnerable victims of the floods in Gloucs if it were not for the increased capacity your vehicles offer us, but more importantly the hard work, flexibility and sheer enthusiasm all your crews without exception have shown. Nothing has been too much trouble, and the hours worked have been significantly in excess of normal expectations. Please pass on this e- mail to all concerned with my heartfelt thanks-more to follow. I look forward to our continued working relationship together over coming days.
Keep in touch,
Gareth Morgan |
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Thursday 28th July,
At 08:52 Thursday 27/07/07 a call was received by Wessex 4x4 Response from The Red Cross at Warmley requesting four vehicles to attend the Red Cross distribution centre at Quedgley.
As only four
vehicles were required a limited call-out was sent via SMS to 7 members who had
already indicated that they were willing to attend if needed; requesting that
they advise if available. The first responses indicated that Alan (R22), John
(R35) Matt (R03), and Myself (R01) were available. Tom (R36) as called to
double crew with Matt as a radio operator.
A brief
E-mail was sent to all other members notifying them that there was an initial
response in progress. Because of the travel time and anticipated delays, it was
felt unlikely that additional units would be required before Friday. Units were
on route by 10:00 Matt (R03) then advised that he was unavailable due to
unforeseen family matters. He was however willing to take on the control and
inform role.
Adam (R42)
was asked to respond in lieu of R03.
All units
arrived at Quedgley between 12.00 & 12.30 Alan, (R22) had additionally
called Andy (R27) to double crew/ assist as needed.
Having
reported to the Red Cross the four vehicles were loaded with 2,300 litre of
water and 2 boxes of WAG BAGS -toilet bags for use in the absence of other
facilities. With two guides from the local Rotarians these were all delivered
in convoy to an elderly persons home in Bishopstone Rd Gloucester.
Upon
return to the distribution centre vehicles were reloaded in preparation for
other tasks, the crews then assisted with the unloading of supply vehicles.
Before being retasked. This included Adam (R42) assisting to re-supply
Tewkesbury Abbey
In excess
of 4000 litres, was carried by our vehicles on Thursday.
During
this time Matt (03) was busy updating other members and requesting additional
support for future days perhaps not realising how long the operation would
last.
Friday 27th July,
Additional units on scene to assist due to unavailability of
Adam (R42) and Bob (R01) who was now co-ordinating a unified response from
Wessex and neighbouring teams from his home office. Tom & John (R35/36) had
stayed on site overnight . Darren and a colleague from Gloucestershire 4x4
Response arrived on site at approximately 09:00 with a trailer Ross (R41)
arrived on site at approximately 11:00 with a large trailer Closely followed by
Mel (R10).
Andy and Alan (R22/R27) arrived on site at approximately
12:00 having with a large trailer
All units were double crewed and thanks to the use of
trailers delivering even higher quantities of water.
Several units again remained in the area over-night,
meanwhile additional and replacement units and trailers had indicated their
availability for tomorrow (Saturday) through to next Tuesday. Some for single
days and some for extended periods the incident was now upgraded to an
operation with it�s own unique identification, �Operation Aquarius�. An online
spreadsheet was created allowing Red Cross personnel at Quedgley and Warmley to
see how many vehicles could be anticipated. This is located at www.wessex4x4response.org.uk/Floodstaff.htm
At this time it was still not possible to say how long the
incident would continue. Severe weather was now forecast for Saturday evening
into Sunday.
Saturday
28th July,
Continuing
reports indicated that the operation was by no means over and was likely to
extend beyond the weekend of 4/5 August, several E-mails had been received from
Ross (R41) containing photos. These have now been posted to the website.
www.wessex4x4response.org.uk/Gflood.htm
For most of the day there have been at least seven 4x4 Response vehicles from G4x4R & W4x4R operating from the Quedgley distribution centre. At the time of writing the actual total carried has not been confirmed but is in excess of 25,000 litres is believed to have been carried up until Saturday. Contact has been made with several Powys members and we anticipate that for the next week there will be between four and six vehicles on site from various teams. The Duty Roster is being maintained on line to ensure visibility for all those looking to attend.
Contact has been made with several teams further afield should the incident prove both on-going and beyond the resources of those teams already attending. The weather forecast continues to indicate that additional heavy rain can be expected tonight.
Sunday 29th July
As dawn broke it was clear that although there had been some rain it was by no means as severe as anticipated
Units from
Wessex 4x4 Response Association, Gloucester 4x4 Response & Powys 4x4
Response are continuing to assist the Red Cross at Quedgley, with offers of
assistance coming in from as far away as Humber-Yorks 4x4 Response who have
offered 2 possibly 3 double crewed vehicles.
The latest
figures indicate that 4x4 Response vehicles have delivered in excess of 35,000
litres of water and several hundred five-day food packs plus a large quantity
of hygiene packs.
Monday 30th July
A mixed team of Wessex & Powys 4x4 Response vehicles concentrated primarily on small drops today, providing some 11,000 litres of water & packs of food to individual households. Humber-Yorks 4x4 Response have confirmed that 2 vehicles will be joining the effort for several days from early Wednesday morning
Tuesday 31st July
Members
of the two teams were fully integrated into the delivery system and transported
in excess of 16,000 litres to various institutions. The following was received
from the Red Cross Transport Co-ordinator.
"...finally got 2 minutes to take some time out to let you know by e- mail
the great work 4x4 response are doing for us. We will follow up with something
more formal obviously. For now it must be said that these guys have been an
exceptional support. We would never have shifted the litreage we have in this
operation, helping THE MOST vulnerable victims of the floods in Gloucs if it
were not for the increased capacity your vehicles offer us, but more
importantly yhe hard work, flexibility and sheer enthusiasm all your crews
without exception have shown. Nothing has been too much trouble, and the hours
worked have been significantly in excess of normal expectations. Please pass on
this e- mail to all concerned with my heartfelt thanks-more to follow. I look
forward to our continued working relationship together over coming days. Keep
in touch,"
by this time 4x4 Response members had transported in excess of 80,000 litres.
Wednesday 01st August
Operations continued throughout
Wednesday with members of Humber-Yorks,
Powys and Wessex 4x4 Response teams
operating as an integrated unit providing transport for the British Red Cross
in the Gloucester & Cheltenham Area. Some 13,000 litres of water and
various food packs were delivered.
Thursday 02nd August
By 08:00 there were seven 4x4
Response vehicles on site. The first mission of the day saw 7,500 litres of
water 150 food packs and 96 hygiene packs delivered in one drop.
By the end of the day some 15,000
litres plus a large quantity of food and hygiene packs had been delivered, by members of Powys, Humber-Yorks and the various Wessex 4x4 Response teams.
Friday 03rd August
Saturday 04th August
A final stand-down was sent to all members and all teams at 19:00 also posted on the National 4x4 Response forum (http://www.4x4response.net/nationalforum/index.php) thanking everyone for their help. Some of the statistics give an idea of the size of this operation, 39 members in total were involved, driving nearly 4,000 miles to deliver approximately 150,000 litres (150 tonnes) of water several hundred 5 day food parcels and a similar number of hygiene packs