F.E.A.T. - FOUR-WHEEL
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
TEAM
Join FEAT through our membership application. |
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Q: |
What is FEAT? |
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A: |
FEAT is a volunteer group of owners of four-wheel-drive vehicles
that is associated with the Colorado Association of 4 Wheel Drive
Clubs, Inc. |
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Q: |
What does FEAT do? |
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A: |
FEAT provides supplemental, emergency transportation in the Denver
Metro area when snowstorms or other disasters require the use of
four-wheel-drive vehicles. FEAT’s first priority is to get
essential City of Denver’s emergency services employees to
and from work at hospitals, fire and police stations, and emergency
agencies. |
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Q: |
Who are the members of FEAT? |
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A: |
The majority of FEAT members belong to local four-wheel-drive
clubs, although this is not required for membership in FEAT. All
members of FEAT are required to fill out a membership application
before being accepted. |
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Q: |
Why is it preferable to use FEAT rather than to put out a general
call for four-wheel-drive volunteers through the media? |
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A: |
FEAT drivers are prescreened drivers who are individually assigned
and their assignments recorded. |
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Q: |
What types of transportation does FEAT provide? |
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A: |
FEAT provides supplemental, emergency transportation to assist
during emergencies when other transportation is not available. FEAT
transports essential emergency personnel needed to provide critical
services. |
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Q: |
What does FEAT not provide? |
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A: |
It does not transport critical or injured patients; nor does FEAT
have the capability to transport non-essential employees. (i.e.
those not necessary to prevent a danger to health or safety). The
FEAT organization does not run a taxi service or provide convenience
transportation. Newly developed software developed by the City of
Denver will allow dispatchers to take advance notice of requests
for a specific pickup time. |
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Q: |
How does FEAT operate? |
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A: |
When the Denver Office of Emergency Management (OEM) advises
FEAT of a possible weather emergency, FEAT members are placed
on placed “stand-by” status via email. When FEAT is
activated, the FEAT volunteer dispatchers will start phoning driver
volunteers to determine their status. The software will select
a driver closest to the address of the requestor and the dispatcher
will provide the information to the driver. The driver will call
the requestor for specific information and to establish a pick-up
time.
When the ride is completed, the driver calls the dispatcher
for reassignment. If a large amount of assistance is needed, volunteers
may be assigned to work directly with the institution requesting
assistance. These requests are handled on a case-by-case basis
and depend on the number of volunteers available. Medical personnel
receive top priority for these requests.
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Q: |
How many volunteers does FEAT have available? |
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A: |
The number available varies from event to event but in general,
the greater the need, the more volunteers will be available. FEAT
has over one hundred registered volunteers. |
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Q: |
When does FEAT go into operations? |
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A: |
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) in each area will activate
FEAT when snow conditions are severe enough that public transportation
(taxi or bus) is not available and two- wheel-drive vehicles are
being advised to stay off the streets. |
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Q: |
What is the cost of FEAT service? |
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A: |
There is no charge for assistance from FEAT. Members are strictly
volunteers who furnish their vehicles, gas, and time to help the
community. They may take donations for FEAT operations but are prohibited
from receiving personal gratuities. |
