Wessex 4×4 Response is a Registered Charity comprising unpaid volunteers dedicated to providing emergency logistics for the Category 1 & 2 organisations, in support of our communities. We operate within the Avon & Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire & Swindon Police forces’ areas. Our liaison team is active within the Local Resilience Forum in each force area and we can also support other regions under mutual aid.
Through the use of our volunteers’ own 4×4 vehicles, we can provide those logistics regardless of weather, ground conditions and location. We have included some examples below.
All of our Responders at Wessex 4×4 Response are unpaid volunteers, who are giving up their time to support their community. They are all subject to enhanced DBS checks at regular intervals, and will have gone through a variety of training courses based on their role. They will also bring a huge variety of experiences and skills from their day jobs and their previous experiences.
They will be driving their own vehicles, with a variety of vehicles in use ranging from the latest vehicles with only a few thousand miles on the clock to older vehicles that have driven the world.
Depending on the scale of the incident, we may deploy bronze or silver leaders to the incident, or embed liaison advisors into your operational cell to provide a live link between your need and our operations.
If the scale and type of incident is appropriate, we can also deploy our Incident Support Unit trailers to provide onsite command and control facilities, as well as responder welfare.
As all of our responders are unpaid volunteers, when the alarm goes, they will almost certainly be in the middle of their normal life. We are not a blue light service, so our responders will typically take a few minutes to change clothes, grab kit, make a flask of tea, and ensure the children have been handed off to someone else before they get moving.
Our record is 6 minutes from first contact with our control team, raising the job, getting availability, tasking responders to the first vehicle marking as en-route, but is more typically around 20-30 minutes.
As a member, you’ll join a dedicated group of volunteers who are passionate about serving their community during times of emergency.
You’ll have the opportunity to support local authorities, emergency services, SAR teams and other volunteer agencies. Whether it’s transporting essential personnel or delivering supplies, your efforts will make a real difference in people’s lives.
Develop your leadership, management, public speaking, and more!
We understand that everyone has different availability. As a volunteer, you can contribute as much or as little time as you can afford.
As a member, you’ll receive your PPE, ID cards, and stickers. These items signify your affiliation with our charity and enable you to carry out your duties with professionalism and confidence.
If you have a Community Event, anything from a Festival, a Carnival or a County Show planned in 2026!, please do talk to us about any transport, marshalling, road closures or other logistics capabilities that you may need. Events we…
True Team Work was out in force yesterday at a Joint Search Exercise involving Wiltshire Search and Rescue, Dorset Search and Rescue with Wessex 4×4 Response providing support with logistics for the day. The training took place on Salisbury Plain…
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue have faced a significant challenge battling two large heath fires in South Dorset, specifically at Holt Heath near Wimborne and Newtown Heath near Swanage. Responders from Wessex 4×4 Response swiftly mobilized to aid the…
