Back in 2004, a small group of like-minded 4×4 owners got together in a small backroom of their local pub. Their mission was to look into the feasibility of developing a 4×4 Response team which would operate throughout the North East area of Scotland.

Those individuals all shared a desire to use their 4×4 vehicles in order to help their local community in times of need. It was immediately decided that to ensure success, it would be necessary to set a high degree of proficiency in all aspects of their activities. This desire to operate to a high standard has become the group’s mantra to this day.​

A distinctive name was needed. All agreed that “Community Off-road Transport Action Group (COTAG)” fitted the bill. From that small group, the team has now blossomed into the well-respected organisation now recognised as: COTAG 4×4 Response.

The Team

COTAG is registered as a Scottish Charity, and all members, from the newest recruit to the Chief Executive, are unpaid volunteers, giving selflessly of their time to serve their North East community. All funding comes from public and corporate sources and is needed to pay for training and equipment. The organisation is made up of over 30 responders and operations controllers, all committed and highly trained volunteers. Supported by a mobile operations control unit and using the most up-to-date communication equipment, they respond to approximately 80 requests for assistance per year. Each volunteer provides their own road-legal 4×4 vehicle along with their fuel.  COTAG provides comprehensive PPE and ancillary equipment, such as mobile and handheld radios. All COTAG volunteers are vetted by Police Scotland via their NPPV scheme.

What they do

COTAG 4 x 4 Response provides 4 x 4 logistical assistance during times of adverse weather and when other means of transportation find difficulty in proceeding. Primarily they provide support to all Category 1 Responders, NHS Grampian and local councils and operate throughout the North East of Scotland. The team have several Memorandums of Understanding in place in order to provide a formal structure to these arrangements. 

COTAG activities include transportation of people and/or materials in severe weather, e.g. movement of NHS Staff or patients to/from remote locations, or delivery of key materials such as medicine, food and fuel. Transportation and distribution of flood defence materials e.g. sand bags. Vehicle traction assist or relocation to safety. Establish and maintain effective radio communication for community-run events over rough terrain and provide logistical safety support by manning checkpoints and providing radio communications.

Training

To become a Volunteer Responder, a full training programme must be completed and includes Off-road driving, advanced driving, First Aid, Navigation and RSGB VHF radio qualification. COTAG are very fortunate to have their own 360-acre dedicated training ground provided by a generous local land owner and train every month throughout the year.

Assisting the community:

Over the years, COTAG have been able to assist during various weather events, including severe and localised flooding, providing logistical support and transporting flood retention materials.

Heavy snow events occur most years during a north east of Scotland winter. COTAG vehicles are frequently seen working hard during such conditions. Being a predominantly rural area, critical care staffing of the two main hospitals would be quite challenging without the teams help with moving staff members to and from rural locations.

COTAG have also been called to assist emergency services, including Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

COTAG Volunteers have frequently been commended on their professionalism and willingness to assist when most of us would prefer to stay indoors in front of a warm fire.

Volunteering to join the organisation, can provide great satisfaction and allows the responder to put something back into their community. If you require more information on COTAG or wish to donate or volunteer, please visit their website at www.cotag.scot

This article has been produced by a Drivers Domain UK Tutor, Alan Gray – who is a COTAG 4×4 driver and provides a number of our driving courses in the Highlands.