6x6 & 8x8 Emergency Response Teams

[artist1018]

Hello Everyone,

I am new here & would like to share an idea I sent out recently to some atv owners.
I would like to see a national effort in forming regional emergency response 6 & 8 wheel response teams. It's time to use our machines for more than recreation, do you agree? Think about it! Remember the snow storm, last year, that affected most of the great lake states, from lower Michigan, New York state? Some areas were several feet deep in snow. Next, there is the gulf coast area, what will they do the next time a "katrina" type hurricane hits?!?
Who else can aid & assist like we 6's & 8's? NO ONE!!
I am ex-navy, search & rescue. I have had training, it's been awhile, got out in 1979. But, I was put on stand by on 9/11.
So, here is a new member, asking for input.

Thanks,
Art

[kevin]

i think its a graet idea

[jpswift1]

Art, Im very pleased that someone has brought this up. My dad and I have always talked about how capable and useful these machines can be in disaster relief efforts. We got hit bad in Buffalo, NY with snow last year and I had volunteered to pilot some of my 6x6's to help with any emergency efforts that were needed in the area. I pulled trees that had fell down, I gave rides to stranded motorists, and I even helped yank small cars that had got stuck in the snow. These machines do tasks that 4 wheelers are not able to do and assisting in rescue efforts would also provide lots of exposure to the amphibious ATV industry.

[Mike]

Art, welcome to the forums and that is a great idea. I think that if you have a nationwide database of AATV volunteers it would be really easy to contact someone quickly in the case of a national disaster that is already in the area.

Also, even if we don't get a list of volunteers you can always report to your local red cross (or designated disaster relief area) and volunteer your AATV. Here is a list of local volunteer locations

[artist1018]

Let's get involved, not just talk!

I aplaude your efforts to promote AATV by taking a friend for a ride, however, stop at your city, township, county & state police station & take the chief for a ride. Let him see what these machines are capable of. For myself, I have already done so! Also, do not forget your fire depts. as well.
Ok, that being said, let's tell 1 of our fellow 6's & 8's about this concept & start a list, here & now, on this site!!

Good Luck & thanks for your support,

Art

P.S. for ayone who wants to talk direct, here is my phone #
(810)577-3544

[bobs]

emergency response

Join your local C.E.R.T get others with 6x6/8x8's to join. Take the training and talk up your machines. Some teams are self dispatch and others are dispatched only buy the county EMS director. I did this and belive me it was fun and the training was great and FREE. When I first brought up using my argo 8x8 (a 1982 model) it was not well recieved then the snows hit about ten days ago and are just now melting off. Care to guess who got called to bring that machine out to help get to the elderly and do wellfare checks on locals to make sure all was good. Let alone get team members into and out of areas and back to rehab for warm up and chow. With that out of the way it is a great idea to have a list. There are reports and video's of machines being used for this all over the net and a lot of fire depts,forest ranger's and SAR units have found out that this is the way to go.
bobs

[lewis]

Talked with our Rescue dept. in our areas and they all have a Argo which is great. I also informed them through their members that i am available if needed. Greater numbers get more done. Great idea on a data base.

[AAFD]

You need to find grants for many of these departments, many are strapped for cash!! There is some type of grants for the Ranger Side by Side for just this type of thing. These ATV would be great for search and rescue but a trailer is a must if you must move equipment or take some one out.

KC