rreschran

I've learned that incidents like these are unfortunate, tragic and happen all the time; especially on New Year's Eve. Reminder ... roadside customers should be situated somewhere safe and not allowed to wander. They should be seated in the tow truck's cab with their seatbelt on, behind the guard rail (if able to do so), up the embankment, or other place of safety where they won't become victim of a pedestrian strike. It's sad that the tow operator must have 100-percent focus on loading a vehicle quickly while at the same time having to babysit the customer. Get them secured first, and then work "fast as hell" to limit the possibility of you being struck. Although the tower was simply "doing his job", I have no doubt the tow company will be sued.

While the recovery seems "cool to see", I believe it's an example of what not to do. With the road closed, a conventional forward roll seems more appropriate. Adding to Mr. Ed's comment, should the cable have snapped due to shock load, the truck was in free mode to roll away with no 4x4s initially blocking the tires. Worse yet, the tower realized he flipped the truck atop a burning flare. If there were the slightest fuel, an explosion would have ensued.

Oh yeah ... I forgot to mention the legalities of refusing to transport an guide dog or service animal relating to the American Disabilities Act. Tow companies should be familiar with the peculiarities of ADA laws regarding transporting animals.

During my law enforcement career, I dealt with cars and owners who had dogs, cats, macaw birds, a cage of rats, and a pet large python. People travel with all kinds of animals in their cars. Here's an arrest photo of several small, Shetland ponies stuffed in the back of an old van during an arrest in Germany. Our department policy required animal control to take custody of said animals. I don't believe tow companies should be responsible to care for someone else's animal. It relieves the tow company the responsibility of transporting the animal, avoiding its escape, and being stuck with the animal should the owner fail to pick the animal up. Not every tow company would be so kind. Kudos to you Big for caring for the animals.

Christine and I send prayers to this young man's family and the company he worked for.

Open Enrollment time is fastly approaching for California Highway Patrol rotation providers. Here’s my open invitation to Southern California tow operators serving the CHP as on-highway providers. This two-day, "hands-on", safety course provides tow & recovery techniques specific to on-highway situations. Learn strategies important to operator safety and survival as well as tow and recovery techniques needed to serve law enforcement. If you’re a California tow operator serving the CHP, this class qualifies for your new or update certificate, however, any tower is welcome to attend. Note: You don’t have to belong to any association to attend this class. Instructed by a retired California police officer and TIMs instructor approved 24-years by California's highway patrol and the law enforcement community. Cost per driver is $375 both days, visitors pay own expenses. This class in nearly full so don’t wait. For further information send Email to rreschran@gmail.com. Thank you.

Hi All ... can anyone please post the names of this year's Hall of Fame nominations? Thanks in advance.

Today, February 23, 2024, is the seven-year anniversary in the loss of my friend Fred Griffith, who was struck and killed on a San Diego freeway, by a four-time convicted DUI, hit n run motorist. As Fred was applying air at the white-line side of a commercial trash truck, the DUI driver threaded nearly stopped bumper to bumper traffic on the shoulder only to strike Fred. Rest in Peace, Fred ... I miss you. And, not the be forgotten, Galveston, Texas tow operator, Gary Wayne DuBose, was killed this day as he worked to load a vehicle on a shoulder. On, February 23, 1941, tow owner, Benjamin A. "Ben" Ruechel, was working a prior crash in Duarte, California, when a female motorist drove onto the shoulder and pinned him. He died of his injuries. Christine and I send our prayers to son’s Michael, David and Joe and to the families of Gary Dubose and Ben Ruechel.

Still checking in.

Hi All … Just a message to say, ‘Thanks”, to the towers who attended this weekend’s CHP Tow Operator’s Safety Course. The class was awesome and to think I get paid to play, I mean, “Work” at these events. Out of nowhere, Todd Leiss and John Sullivan, of, TIM Heros”, walked into the classroom, “unexpected.” Myself and class participants were treated to an impromptu speech from two of the most respected names regarding the industry’s Slow-Down Move-Over program. And … they didn’t even charge us ! ! We all signed Todd’s banner and heard from them first-hand the dangers we tower’s face. My guys really appreciated their presentation and the fact that Todd and John travelled nearly 2,600 miles (from Pennsylvania) to make their surprise appearance. Now THAT’S door-to-door service. Thanks again Todd and John for making our’s a special training event that only supports the work we do.

Eric ... you're a stand-up guy and someone I'm proud to call my friend.

Thanks Ed for your longtime contributions on the tow forums. Happy New Year.

Sad ... call it another motorist who failed too SDMO. Like it or not, it's suggested the tower was on the dangerous traffic side, "just doing his job." I too send my prayers to the tower's family and the company he worked for, but hence another tow operator fatality that might have been prevented. No, I'm not insensitive to the tower's tragic death, but I'm numb to the shocking reality that; towers get complacent and oftentimes put themselves in harm's way. Ticket be damned, I've learned to not complete that perfect four-point tie-down, but load vehicles from the NTS and get off the highway to complete total tie-down. My motto? "Stay alive to fight the cite!"

It breaks my heart to hear Josh's father speak of how this fatality devastated his family and those who knew him. I can't imagine the pain they are going through and to hear him speak of "forgiveness" ... that's an admirable trait. I don't know if I could do the same. Christine and I send our prayers to them.

Steve and Miss Doreen ... you're right. These on-highway strikes are all too frequent. Here's my recount of recent fatalities. Nov. 18 Florida Saturday Nov. 04 Michigan Saturday Oct. 21 Missouri Saturday Oct. 21 No. Africa Saturday Oct. 18 Georgia Thursday Oct. 04 Virginia Sunday Christine and I send our prayers to the towers family and the company he worked. R.

Keep pushing for change John. It took forever, but Canada towers got it do. Looking forward to seeing you in Baltimore. R. ... got it done. Freakin fat fingers.

Canada was successful in changing its lighting that added blue to its sequence. It should be standard for vehicles serving the highways. If it takes a permit and additional training to qualify for their use, so be it. Thanks Sam for your efforts.

Hi John ... Looking forward to seeing you and Aileen as well as the other international towers.

Christine and I'll be there. I'm teaching two seminars ... one with Brian Riker. Lookin' forward to it Ron. R.

Good work Johnny Cortes.

To. Listen to this 911 call sends chills down my spine. I feel that Tyler saved his life by three important factors; above all he remained calm, he was able to tell his location, and he had his cellphone in his possession. Of all the freak situations towers get in to, this is one where lessons can be learned. God bless you Tyler, Christine and I pray for your fast recovery.

Randall Resch - American Towman Magazine + Randall Resch Training

From Southern California, we're watching the national news regarding wildfires raging across Canada. In any event, heed the warnings of your fire officials and law enforcement when it's time to evacuate. Having had to evacuate three times in wildfires behind our property last year, staying behind can be a fatal mistake. Make ready that "to go box" that includes important papers, your work computer and whatever is within grab-and-go reach when evacuation orders are given. Don't risk your life or that of your family by staying behind. Doing so also makes fire responders potential victims when they have to try and rescue those who choose to stay behind. Be Safe and aware. Christine and I send our prayers to the Canadian provinces and territories, as well as Canadian tow companies and their families with hopes they stay safe and out of the fire's path. R&C

Wildfires burn 6 million acres a year on average in Canada. But this year’s total has already surpassed more than 9 million. From Southern California, we're watching the national news regarding wildfires raging across Canada. In any event, heed the warnings of your fire officials and law enforcement when it's time to evacuate. Having had to evacuate three times in wildfires behind our property last year, staying behind can be a fatal mistake. Make ready that "to go box" that includes important papers, your work computer, and whatever is within grab-and-go reach when evacuation orders are given. Don't risk your life or that of your family by staying behind. Doing so also makes fire responders potential victims when they have to try and rescue those who choose to stay behind. Be Safe and aware. Christine and I send our prayers to the Canadian provinces and territories, as well as Canadian tow companies and their families with hopes they stay safe and out of the fire's path. R&C

This happens quite often ! ! ! From researching article data and dating back to 1964, topic, 263x injured or deceased individuals have been found in towed or impounded vehicles. Note: Another news segment stated doors to the SUV were open on both sides. Because the SUV allegedly was a stolen vehicle, perhaps it was thought that both driver and passenger ran from the scene ... a reasonable assumption. So, as a stolen recovery, in my mind, law enforcement has responsibility of conducting inventory as a process of impound. It's unfortunate that towers are oftentimes blamed for someone not discovered within, but in this case, it was towed to a city impound yard where, "check in and inventory practices" will be questioned. Article: American Towman Managzine, February 2022, "No Victims Left Behind." For towers on-scene, a cursory look inside crashed vehicles (especially on lower floor spaces) by opening doors if they can be opened. One question that certainly will be scrutinized, if the teen was discovered alive at the scene, might he have survived this crash? I'd be interested in learning the outcome of the investigation.