Dear Members & Friends of Islamabad Jeep Club
IJC has done it again!
Masha Allah, we all know the “helping hand” effort put in by IJCian with various friends n groups, be it for the IDPs or the flood relief work. All the member of IJC have always been involved personally, contributing time, finances and vehicular support to the best of their ability.
The work of IFRC and PRCS also does not require highlighting, with their international origin, support, resources and donors, they have been very much at the forefront in any relief work not just in Pakistan but all across the world.
IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) and PRCS (Pakistan Red Cross Society) had approached IJC a few weeks ago to seek help in training of 4X4 driving techniques for their drivers. A few of their senior office bearers joined us during our routine Offroad outing n barbeque a fortnight ago. They were very much impressed by the disciplined and coordinated driving styles adapted by IJC, and requested for us to impart this training to their whole group of drivers of 4X4 vehicles.
On Saturday 23 rd April IJC Trained IFRC / PRCS at Islamabad. It was a day long event.
As usual IJC was ever ready to help others. A thorough plan was discussed and arranged with IFRSC/PRCS. IFRC had initially arranged for the drivers to have theoretical intructions by vdos. For practical experience of various terrains and how to handle the vehicle in such circumstances was arranged by IJC. Obviously the learning of any skill is a continual experience, however to make sure that the drivers have some idea of what they could come across and how to handle it, different terrains had to be selected. After finalizing the area where several different obstacles could be managed, the work of IJC started. All members gave full support with their precious time and expertise. A lot of effort was put in to create a realistic terrain which these drivers would come across in the line of their work.
The obstacles were mainly divided into three portions. First was handling steep ascents and decents, 2nd was driving on 25+ degree side slopes (specially slippery grassy slopes) and finally water / mud crossings. About 55-60 may be more people came from the IFRC / PCRS on the training day. Out of these 45 were drivers from all over the country, the rest were support staff , seniour office bearers etc.
Initially general 4X4 intructions, basics do’s n don’t as well as important safety measures not to ignored were described to the whole gathering by the IJC President and General Secretary, The drivers were than divided into 3 groups of 15 each. Each group was supervised by 4-5 IJC members. In the first instance a demo was done in front of all drivers for each individual obstacle / terrain to show how that particular difficult terrain should be approached for crossing attempt. IFRC drivers had brought along 8 of their TLC for the training purpose, The TLCs were essentially all 70 series, with the usual three varieties, of 2 door pickup, 5 door Wagons and the 2 door long wheel base hard top people carriers. Many were equipped with winches, Steel bumpers etc. For each obstacle attempt by individual driver, an IJC member accompanied them in the passenger seat as a navigator, passing on instructions as necessary. There were two outside marshalls guiding through all important aspects of the obstacle / terrain, with hand signals.
The whole process of getting each driver to cross individual drivers through all terrains was a time consuming process, but was accomplished with excellent results. All the drivers appeared anxious at the start, like one would before any exam. But as the day progressed, they grew in confidence and relaxed. Obviously most of them had not come across such tricky terrains before, but they learned quickly. Great emphasis was attached to the fact that when approached correctly, many a terrains can be crossed safely.
Getting your hand dirty was a term truly utilized in the water / mud crossing section where a more appropriate description was getting your hands feet n clothes dirty! There was plenty opportunity to experience winching, pulling with tow straps, high lift jack use etc.
After a nice lunch arranged by IFRC / PCRS, certificates were distributed to all drivers by both IFRC as well as IJC. The Head of Delegation and Secretary General of IFRC gave a very warm hearted thanks to IJC members individually for their time, expertise and a very professionally arranged training program for their drivers. Afterwards all IJC members were given certificate of appreciation as well.
All IJC members need a special mention here for their tireless work during the whole training program. Some worked more than others, but no name will be individualized here!
God Bless All.
All IJC Members
This write up is from IFRC
" DRIVER TRAINING
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES & PAKISTAN RED CRESCENT SOCIETY
From Wednesday April 20 through Saturday April 23, 2011, various sectors of Pakistan society, including a strong showing of professionals from the Islamabad Jeep Club,came together to conduct training for drivers of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
As employees of the Red Cross Red Crescent, drivers often find themselves in somewhat precarious situations. Weather plays a large role, and often leaves roadways or paths full of mud and water. Natural disasters and conflict can block roadways, forcing drivers to navigate their way through unfamiliar surroundings. It is therefore vital that drivers aretrained on how to properly manoeuvre through any situation in which they find themselves.
The four day programme began with two days of in-class sessions, during which more than 40 drivers were introduced to concepts such as use of the VHF and HF radio communication systems, road safety, security, first aid and fire fighting drills. Facilitators included those from inside the Red Cross Red Crescent, as well as those from the Pakistan Motorway Police, the Islamabad Fire Brigadeand the Islamabad Jeep Club.
The course then shifted outside for two days, to allow drivers to practice their newly learned skills. At theNational Highway Authority driving track training institute, participants practiced their judgment skills, reversing skillsand how to properly navigate in close quarters.
A large group of members from the Islamabad Jeep Club was on hand for the final day of training at the International Islamic University. It was here that drivers practiced their off-road skills such as how to make best use of 4x4vehicles, navigation skills, hill and slope driving and gear selection. Drivers navigated vehicles up tricky slopes, through watery mud-holes and around dangerous curves. They were also shown how to use winches and how to free a vehicle stuck in the mud.
This was an excellent opportunity for the drivers to implement the various features of the 4x4 vehicles in exercises which simulated the difficult terrains they couldface in the field. Under the expert guidance of the Islamabad Jeep Club enthusiasts, the drivers were given free rein to put their skills to the test and to improve on their expertise. "