rreschran

This is a great training video. In all my years, I've never seen both tow truck and loaded vehicle roll in opposite directions. From what I see ... it especially addresses the issues of: 1) driving a vehicle onto a carrier's deck 2) no topside safety strap(s) 3) no chock blocks against the carrier's tires 4) failing to set the carrier's emergency brake 5) the dangers of chasing a rolling tow truck. Yeah ... it's appropriate to say that the tow God's were with this guy this day. R.

Good Comments Guys ... it's because of the world of psychos that are out and about, towers in California are NOT allowed to randomly stop and check the welfare of a vehicle parked on the side of the highway ... especially at 3 AM on the highway. As in the recent case of tow operator, John Pekipaki in California, he was stabbed by a homicidal suspect who set him up, or, the 2015, Pico Rivera, California, unprovoked stabbing of AAA tower, Raymond Zaballa, who just finished a simple jump start when a transient rode-up on a bike and stabbed him in the neck for no reason. Be it robbery, a way to car-jack your tow truck, to kill you for your cell phone, or, to die at the hands of some knife wielding psycho with a penchant for killing people, I agree that there's no safe reason to stop for anyone any more. That goes for those late night calls that are questionable. R.

The potential of this happening (anywhere in the world) is possible. I've written on this subject before and share my thoughts. As described from this news post, as many as 6x persons were victim of the DUI crash including the arrested 19-year old. The article doesn't detail it, but the deceased was discovered when the tow company was about to leave the scene. I've worked these crashes as a police investigator, EMT, and tow operator noting that small victims tend to be thrown to the floor upon impact. Plus, today's modern vehicles are equipped with as many as 12x air-bags. When smaller victims are tossed to the floor-boards or under the dashboard, they may be covered with compartment debris; there's always a possibility that someone was over-looked, especially when fire and medical responders are caring for critically injured persons. Also note that at 0400 hours, it's difficult to see all details when it's till dark. And, if there's a fatality, the deceased has to wait for arrival of the Sheriff or Coroner to claim the deceased. This can be a grey-area where an accidental, "forgetting", can happen. Most fire and police departments now have protocol that requires a systematic check of a vehicle's interior to include writing on the vehicle's exterior with markings to indicate the specific space has been searched. Although we towers are typically the last to handle a demolished vehicle, it's important to take a quick look at all interior spaces before loading onto a flatbed carrier or dollies to ensure no-one is left behind. Prior to departing, push those deployed air-bags out of the way and make a cursory look, while at the same time be ready for the visual shock that an injured someone or a deceased individual is still in the car. R.

Hi All ... Just for fun I pose to you this question: One of your best drivers calls in sick, but wasn't so sick that he was seen later the same evening at a local dirt track drinking beer with a bunch of buddies. How do you as owner approach this situation while maintaining your calm? Because there are three issues here (trust, honesty and an employee working the system), what would you do to keep this employee in-check? Does it matter or not that the driver was "one of the company's best"? Verbal warning? Reprimand? Suspension? Dismissal? What is your company's sick policy? R.

I personally don't like these kinds of body-shop rollers for tow truck and carrier purposes. I've experienced a car on these kinds of accessories as a potential, dangerous roll-away, a driver who blew out his back trying to push a loaded vehicle, or, having to pay to repair a butt-dent or palm-print as a result of trying to push a vehicle from a parking spot. I also paid for a driver's injuries after a slip and fall by another spraying lubricants onto a carrier's deck. When looking at those, "what-if", scenarios they present, I prefer to use dollies and skates.Each of the examples mentioned all were either the result of a Worker's Comp claim or a small-claims suit for driver inflicted damage. R.

Hey Jack ... send our prayers and support to the driver asking for his quck recovery. We're there in spirit from Southern California. R&C

With this week being Slow Down Move-Over Week, Ron and Chris provide this article of what NOT to do when it comes to tow operator safety. Not to pick a fight, but this picture is worth one-thousand words. Although staged for this story, I know the value of a photo especially in courtroom settings where a motorist may be on-trial for a tow operator's death. Playing the Devil's Advocate here, in this one, single photo, if this photo was the focus on tow operator safety, it clearly sends the message of incompetence by showing: 1) The tower is working, standing, walking on the traffic-side 2) He's standing in an active lane of travel (turn lane) 3) His back is to traffic 4) There are no cones, flares, triangles, etc, to identify an active work-zone or indicate advanced emergency notice 5) If that other truck is a tow truck there as a blocker truck, there's no value in its position Tow operators tend to be their own worst enemy. It's understandable that the towing and recovery industry is a dangerous occupation, but to put one's self in harms way doesn't reflect lessons learned from more than 300-highway related fatalities through the years. While the location shown may not be a super-highway, SDMO laws aren't enforcement on city streets, but the dangers are still very much the same. This photo and its narrative may fully entertain the motoring public, but should send a different survival message to every tower reading it. I don't like tow truck driver stories where tower's tell about how they were hit by a mirror, or almost run over, especially the statements that claim, "I was nearly hit five times." What that says to me is ... "I was a dope five times where I, Me, Myself, stood where I shouldn't have been standing." Tow operator safety begins in the mind and attitude of every tower, not with SDMO programs, laws and narrative like this one published in the Orange County Register. The culture of operator safety needs to change, especially in California where rotation towers and FSP providers are still changing tires. To that, the pictures shown in the original article depict a bleak representation of the reason operators are continually killed. Consider this rant my personal opinion, but the industry's fatality history since 1934 doesn't lie. The fatality numbers should be decreasing, not increasing in the upward count. And, bye the way, California LEADS the industry in highway and shoulder related fatalities ... go figure. R.

All tow companies and tow operator's alike should support the National Move-Over Law. I salute those tow owners who make it their company's priority to get involved in requiring solid training and company policy that represents white-line safety in a proactive manner. In more than 30-years, I've compiled a list that confirms and documents more than 300-highway related operator strikes resulting in fatality. This number doesn't represent the number of operators hit or injured. I also believe that American Towman's Spirit Ride was a huge success in helping to bring awareness of SDMO to communities across America. And, committing to Tow First and NOT changing tires on the highways is helping to reduce operator fatalities. As for the questions asked above, I say, "Yes", to three out of four as my entire career has revolved around tow operator and first-responder safety, but I'm not a member of any state association. I believe all towers ... members or not, should fully support and hold-up SDMO in the best interests of their individual survival. One DOESN'T have to be a member of an association to do so. Accordingly, if you witness a tower haphazardly standing on the white-line, it's your responsibility to say something to them. If they bark back at you, at least you've made an attempt to make them aware of their careless ways. As it regards all towers, ... the life you save MAY be your own. R

Hi All ... I'm pleased to share with you that my research article regarding the December 1954 death of, Canadian Tow Operator, Edgar Arthur Pilon, was published in American Towman's September 2019 issue just out. From my research, I believe that Mr. Pilon's death to be the 5th oldest, known tow truck operator fatality ever recorded and the oldest operator fatality in Canada's towing and recovery industry. After lengthy and repeated attempts to locate any surviving family, I was contacted by Mr. Pilon's son Richard where we worked together to build this story. As this eight month project was nearing its completion, I submitted the article and its information to the International Towing & Recovery Museum requesting that Mr. Pilon's name be added to the Wall of the Fallen. Prior to my making contact with the Pilon children, none of them knew that the towing and recovery industry had a museum or a Wall of the Fallen for tow operators killed in the line of duty. On October 12th, 2019, Mr. Pilon's name will posthumously be added to the Wall of the Fallen in Chattanooga. Additionally, Mr. Pilon's children are driving from Lancaster, Ontario, Canada, to meet up with Christine and I to witness their father's name being added to the Wall. I'm extremely honored and happy that this project brings recognition to Mr. Pilon who gave his life in the service of perfect strangers nearly 65-years ago. R The article can be seen at American Towman's Tow Industry Week digital edition @ http://digital.olivesoftware.com/olive/odn/americantowman/default.aspx Pages 30 to 32.

I'm looking forward to seeing Jamie inducted into this year's International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame on October 12th. Congratulations Jamie on your induction. Best Regards, R.

Just my guess John ... by the heavy metal box, I-beam booms, IR looking headlights, ammo can looking box in the back, and the heavy lugged, military tires on all wheels. It looks vintage military to me. I base that guess on a similar relic sitting on-site at Ellis Towing in Bardstown, Kentucky years back. Like everything the military spec'd, it always was overbuilt to meet the rigors of military recovery. If the folks at Ellis are on this site, perhaps they can add some details. It was pouring rain when I was there and there was no-one around on a Saturday. Thanks for sharing John. R.

What an incredible impact. Christine and I send our prayers to Patric's family and the company he worked for. R&C

Christine and I too will be in Chattanooga for HOF and WOF events. I'm looking forward to see in you John. R.

Hi John ... semi retired? What's that. Thanks for your comments as they are in-line with what others I've talked with. The purpose of the criminal record bureau is consistent with what most agencies require here in the states. As always ... it's great to see you and perhaps I'll see you in Atlantic City? Best Regards. R.

Hey there tow bosses ... This isn't a new topic, but one that reflects the here and now climate of the towing and recovery industry. I personally believe in second chances for former incarcerated individuals and believe they are fit for service after serving time. Having employed and managed numerous tow truck drivers with a former bad history, I've had really good luck with these individual. Yeah ... there were a few players, but they were moved on for obvious reasons. Unfortunately, the law enforcement community oftentimes doesn't see it that way. I'm seeking opinions or pro-active comments. I'm really interested to hear your comments by answering and or all of the following: Do you have criteria for allowing someone a second chance? Would you/have you considered hiring a convicted felon who has served time, but not for crimes of violence, auto theft, or sexual predation? Have you worked with the Dept. of Corrections or individual parole officer in the past? As a former inmate now released, are they assigned and approved by law enforcement in your community? Any comments are welcome for a research project I'm working on. Thanks ... R

... the premise is simple ... never ask an employee to do anything that they wouldn't do themselves. Steve is a stand-up guy and leads by example.

These are the kind of news stories that do a whole lotta' good for the industry's reputation. Kudos to Twin Cities Auto for waiving their fees. R

Hey Ben ... Can you mention the app? What are they using?

No worries for sure. We had a fair turn-out for the Advanced Warning seminar and a huge turn-out for the dispatcher seminar. I was quite pleased as to how many dispatchers and owners attended. And, thanks for the message ... perhaps I'll see you in Atlantic City? Best Regards. R.

I'm highly entertained by stories of tow operator response via the use of scanners, especially in Texas and New York. Having reviewed numerous (big city) law enforcement contracts, I've found no mention of use of scanners for either legitimate of illegitimate tow response, but that doesn't mean it's not written somewhere. Perhaps that's because there's huge liability for a police agency to require the use that supports, "quick response"? Many cities still use the old, "tossed chip system", for tow operators responding to calls for services they hear over police scanners. I personally think this kind of "dispatch" response is archaic and a dangerous process by agencies that sanction tower's speed to the scene in hopes of getting their chip selected. It doesn't make sense to me that some law enforcement agencies allow this practice while expecting the tow company's vicarious liability. However, for towers that use scanners to respond, if scanners are a tactical way to aide in getting business, I understand the thought process. Any Thoughts? R.

None of my sources have heard of a Tennessee fatal as of yet ... I'm hoping it's not true. R.

Thanks for sharing John. I really like the high-level of professionalism as depicted in the pictures of all parties involved. Best Regards. R.

We send our prayers to Mr. Wilson's family and company he worked for. R&C

As a beat cop years back, I responded to a call of a car crash in a busy beach area intersection. No car crash, but a gigantic rolling toolbox that decided to eject from the carrier that it was riding on top. Toolboxes are risky moves and every precaution (that includes extra padding) is necessary. The tower spent much of the afternoon chasing sockets and wrenches after re-loading the destroyed box. R.

When I had my tow company in the Sierra's, our feral cats would climb into the tow truck's engine compartment to sleep on the warm engine. On one occasion, I heard the cat scream when I started the truck's engine, only to open the hood and see the cat captured with its fur caught in the alternator belt. I immediately cut the belt and the cat dropped to the floor and took off into the garage. I followed its bloody trail and found the cat badly hurt. With the aide of a heavy blanket, I snagged the cat and took her to the Vet. Long story short, another feral did the same thing at the end of winter. My kids appropriately names my tow truck, "The Kitty Gobbler". R.