• What is Rover Rescue?

Suffolk Rover Rescue is comprised of a group of volunteers within the Suffolk Land Rover Owners Club Ltd., who are prepared to use their own vehicles to provide assistance to the emergency services and the community in times of severe weather or disaster.

• What are its aims?

The group was formed in 1998, to provide a group of volunteers with well maintained and equipped Land Rover vehicles able to respond to emergencies and situations likely to create danger or disruption to members of the public. A close liaison has been formed with the Suffolk County Council Emergency Planning Department, the Emergency Services, the Suffolk Voluntary Organisation Group ( SVOG ) and Rover Rescue Groups in Norfolk and Essex. The aim is to provide assistance to the normal emergency services or other SVOG members when they are stretched to the limit or 4-wheel drive vehicles would be an advantage.

• Training

Regular training sessions are held to ensure members of the group acquire the skills needed for their own safety and those likely to be required while  providing assistance at an incident.

They are as follows:-

•     On and Off-Road driving skills.

•     Vehicle recovery. ( Self recovery of members within the group )

•     Basic vehicle maintenance.

•     Map reading and navigation.

•     Basic first aid.

•     Communication procedures.

•     Team building.

Prospective members may already hold formal qualifications or have the experience required to carry out the tasks that the group may be asked to undertake. Prior to being placed on the call-out list each new member’s ability is assessed by the SRR management committee and any training considered necessary arranged. When placed on the call-out list, a fluorescent waistcoat marked “Rover Rescue”, an ID card and vehicle signs are available to provide easy identification at the scene of an incident.

• The People and their Vehicles

The members come from all backgrounds and walks of life, some with professional or leisure qualifications including paramedics, pilots, cave rescue, small and high speed boat coxswains, engineers, mechanics and many others.  They share their expertise and experience to help with training within the group and all have one thing in common, a love of Land Rover vehicles.  These range from early Series 1’s to the latest Range Rover, Discovery, Freelander and include some ex-military examples.  All are equipped to a minimum standard considered adequate for operation in severe weather conditions or rough terrain.  In addition , some have specialist equipment relevant to the profession or leisure interests of the owner.

All have made a commitment to turn out at short notice to provide assistance when requested.

• For further information contact:-

 Peter Bickley (Click for email)