The Isle of Wight’s readiness to cope in a crisis was given a boost this week when the local British Red Cross emergency response team took delivery of a state-of-the-art new vehicle.
The custom-built Ford Ranger was delivered to the charity’s base at Newport on Monday (19th October) where it was received by volunteers Glen Abbott and Felicity Beaumont-McInnes. The team will use it whenever they are called to the scene of a house fire, or evacuation for another emergency, to bring supplies and emotional support to people finding themselves in the middle of a crisis.
Red Cross senior ER officer Amanda Carcary said:
“This new vehicle is great news for us. It’s a big improvement – more economical, greener and better equipped with the latest technology.
“We’re really proud of our team on the Island and this is a nice reward for their commitment and dedication. They deserve to have the best gear we can give them, and it puts them in a great position to help people.”
The new all-wheel drive vehicle, which has space for 5 people, is a welcome replacement for both the a long-serving, outdated campervan and Land Rover Defender. It comes fully equipped with a range of resources including blankets, clothes, hygiene packs, baby and pet supplies, refreshments, first aid kits, a defibrillator, a fridge, a water heater, a chiller box, lighting for night-time responses and power packs for charging phones and electrical devices.
Its environmentally friendly design means that the engine charges up the internal power system, which can then run for hours without the engine idling. It also boasts the latest fuel-efficient diesel engine, which will reduce fuel consumption, emissions and costs.
Red Cross volunteer team leader Glen Abbott, a supermarket worker in his early 50s, welcomed the new delivery. He says:
“This gives us a great base to bring to the scene of a crisis. When we respond to a fire, flood or any other emergency, we will provide whatever support we can, whether it’s practical items or just the chance to process things – it’s amazing what a cup of tea, a biscuit and a chat can do!”
Glen grew up in Shanklin and travelled the world as a chef, before moving back in 2005 to care for his mother. In 2014, inspired by seeing the volunteers at the London Olympics, he “wanted to do more” with his life and joined the Red Cross as a volunteer. He now leads a team of six regular emergency response volunteers on the Island.
Glen says he enjoys being able to help people through some of their toughest times.
“Our team is willing to drop everything at a moment’s notice to respond to a ‘shout’,” he says. “If we can help somebody, alleviate their stress, let them vent, or offer them words of comfort and advice, it’s a good day.”
In the last 6 years he has responded to many different ‘shouts’ from the council or the fire and rescue service, including supporting evacuated residents during a major fire at the Cowes shipyard in 2016, and a house fire where a lady’s beloved pet dog had lost its life.
“I was glad we could wrap him in a nice blanket for her, instead of a tarp. We just try to be there for people.”
And it’s not just people in crisis who need a bit of help from Glen’s team – sometimes they end up supporting the emergency services, too.
“Sometimes firefighters need to chat or a snack. People know that the Red Cross stands for help without judgement. They know we won’t take sides, but we will listen and be a sounding board.
“The effect of listening to people, and giving them that time and attention when things feel out of control, is often that they feel some of their power over that situation returning. I think that can help a lot.”
The Isle of Wight Red Cross emergency response team is always looking for new volunteers, and Glen says he gets a lot out of the role.
“I’m a first aider at work, and the skills I learned from the Red Cross have really helped with that,” he says. “And we’re a close-knit team, we look out for each other and we meet up once a month for training.”
“It’s that sense of achievement when you’ve been out on a ‘shout’,” he goes on. “You go to bed knowing you helped someone when they needed it.”
The Red Cross would like to hear from kind, compassionate people with an interest in supporting people at the scene of a crisis. Applicants should have a full, clean driving license. The emergency response role is flexible, with quiet periods and busier periods, and full training and support is provided to volunteers.
For more information visit http://bit.ly/EmergencyIOW.
