F.E.A.T.
Fourwheel
Emergency Assistance
Team
HISTORY
FEAT’S story actually began during one of the worst storms in
recent memory, Christmas Eve, 1982. During this storm the city called
for volunteer 4x4 drivers and their vehicles to help people who found
themselves in trouble. The storm hit so hard, so fast, and the snow
was so deep that people were stranded at work, or unable to get to
a doctor. Essential personnel (doctors, nurses, firemen, policemen)
found themselves unable to report to work.
The Office of Emergency Preparedness hurriedly set up a system where
volunteer four-wheelers could call in and leave their number and the
people in need would call in and leave their number. Operators would
then attempt to link up the two.
It was a massive undertaking. Considering the haste in which it was
implemented, the system worked surprisingly well. But the system was
also awkward, slow to initiate, and generated a lot of chaos.
TODAY
FEAT is a program of the Colorado Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs,
Inc. (CoA4WDCI). FEAT volunteers need not be a member of an association
club but have a 4x4 vehicle and have a strong desire to provide a
public assistance to Denver’s emergency services personnel.
The FEAT volunteer must sign-up using an application available on
the CoA4WDCI’s web site, www.hightrails.org. They must have
a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle, be at least 21 years old, have a valid
drivers license and no DUI or felony convictions.
We have a newly signed 3-year Statement of Understanding (SOU) with
Denver’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM). The OEM is providing
3 positions in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) for FEAT dispatchers;
each position includes 4 telephone lines, phone headsets, and a laptop
computer.
We do 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
to the general public.
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.
ACTIVATION
When the local weather forecast is for 6 inches or more of snowfall
I send a FEAT ALERT email to our 100 plus volunteer drivers telling
them to stand-by and make sure their 4x4 is full of gas, their cell
phone is charged, they have paper and pencil (pens have a tendency
to freeze), bring water, extra boots and pants, tire chains etc. When
the OEM opens the EOC and they activate FEAT, our dispatchers’
head for the OEM (located in the basement of the City and County building)
and we start contacting drivers.
During the March 2003 massive storm (over 90 inches of snow in the
foothills and 3 and 4 foot snowfalls in the Denver metro area), Al
Fink and myself spent four 16-hour days as FEAT dispatchers. During
this period we had 90 volunteer drivers that provided over 200 trips
to 190 persons plus hauling material for the Red Cross to set up an
emergency shelter center at East High school. Besides transporting
police, fire, doctors and nurses, we hauled health care people to
care for the quadriplegic patients that needed urine bags emptied
and were able to pick-up and deliver several critical medical prescriptions
for snow-bound seniors. Al and I literally had information on drivers
and riders written on scrap pieces of paper and often had to consult
with each other to find a driver to match a rider’s request.
It was almost organized chaos!!
During the post review with OEM I approached them with the idea
of adding our FEAT drivers into the city’s software tracking
system. Since then, the city has developed a special software package
just for FEAT dispatchers. It will be ready for use this snow season.
Upon activation by the OEM, I input the driver database (on an Excel
spreadsheet) into the new FEAT software system and we start calling
drivers to ascertain their status. When we receive a call for a ride,
we input the rider’s information, i.e., name, address, phone
numbers, and ZIP. The computer will identify the nearest driver using
ZIP codes or a zone to match with the rider request. (I have the metro
are divided into 6 zones and within each zone I have identified all
zip codes.) We then call the driver and give them the information.
The driver will call the rider and they determine a pick-up time and
get directions, if necessary.
When the ride is completed the driver calls the dispatcher; they
are requested to either stay in-place in case we need them for another
ride (i.e., shift changes) or assign them another rider.
This is now a real-time process that keeps track of all drivers and
requests are at all times and we have a positive control over our
dispatching.
In June of every year, we have an evaluation with the OEM personnel.
We may refine and adjust the process as necessary. We anticipate extending
our SOU every 3 years.
OTHER FEATs
The Trailridge Runners 4x4 Club of Longmont have an SOU with the United
Presbyterian Hospital in Longmont to provide FEAT services.
FEAT is now providing emergency services to Jefferson County’s
(OEM) and is identified as Jeffco Emergency Services FEAT. This service
will not be used during snow emergencies, but could include moving
supplies and personnel to firefighters using our 4wheel drive vehicles
or assisting in floods, or other services in which Jeffco may need
help during an emergency.
June 2007 - FEAT is now providing services to Colorado Springs.
