rreschran

In the past years, I've helped build 9x houses with Habitat for Humanity and church groups via Corazon de Mission Mexico. It's a really great cause and an awesome feeling when you'e there to witness someone being handed the keys to their very first house. Congratulations to you Rosales for earning the efforts of your sweat and labor.

... to that ... I personally believe that NO service calls are performed on highway shoulders, but quickly removed off-the-highway to a designated drop location of someplace off the highway. Highway response should not include the newly hired or inexperienced tow operator who is not trained in the dangers of highway response (minimally with TIM training). R.

MRIDE ... welcome to TowForce. Your profile doesn't indicate where you hail from. The next American Towman Show is in Atlantic City NJ on the dates of 4 through 7 December. For information visit www.atexposition.com. You can find dates times and locations of the three AT shows there. Hope you can attend. R.

I carefully re-read the injured Ranger's comment that said, “Not only did I change her tire and give her gas, I actually sat there 15-20 minutes listening to her tell me everything that happened in her day,” Not to second guess the Ranger injured in this incident, but his total time on-scene could have been longer than 30 to 45-minutes to change the tire, add the gas, and then listen to the motorist's story about her day. If there are any lessons to be learned here ... when working in a proverbial war zone, it's really important that towers limit their exposure by completing their roadside task and getting off the should in as little time as necessary. Accordingly, California Freeway Service Patrol guidelines under Motorist Contacts, it suggest, "If a vehicle cannot be repaired within 10 minutes, the operator shall inform the motorist that the vehicle can be towed to a designated drop location where he or she can summon additional assistance." I interpret this statement to indicate that towers should recognize the exposure danger and move the vehicle to a safer location that's anywhere other than the shoulder of the highway. I'm thankful the tower wasn't killed. R.

This tow truck is equipped with a huge sign board and plenty of reflective cones as an example of what all tow trucks should be outfitted with. However, I personally believe that changing tires and trying to service disabled vehicles on highway shoulders is a dangerous practice and only increases the tow operator's exposure as well as that of their roadside customer ... load em' up and get em'gone when it takes 10-minutes or more to provide service. R.

When AAA is all about customer service and making sure their members are, "100-percent satisfied", this tower went above and beyond to help these members. Perhaps his employer should re-evaluate the company's dismissal policy? Although a bit unorthodox-ed ... Michael served the customer and I'm sure they didn't care what uniform he was wearing. Besides, his under-skivvies had more coverage than anything you'll see on a sunny day at the European Riviera. If his actions were done in good faith, I say good for you Michael for your actions. If the news account is accurate, I say shame on your employer. R.

It was great to see everyone and catch-up on those hot topics. Thanks to Steve and Doc for another great tow show. Perhaps we'll see you in Atlantic City? Best Regards. Randy

It could be an agency requirement. The CHP says towers cannot photo any sdene without prior permission from the officer on scene. It's not an unreasonable policy. R.

Based on the climbing number of tow truck and flatbed carrier accidents, I invite you to attend, American Towman's Brian Riker and his seminar on, "Defensive Driving and Driving Professionalism". Fact: Tow trucks and solo crashes and incidents are oftentimes the fault of the tow truck driver. Come and learn how tow trucks respond to panic stops, conditions while loaded, why the use of wearing a seat-belt is important, including other driver caused behaviors that result in tow operator fatality. Brian's seminar is must see information and something you should present at your company's next safety meeting. See you there in a couple of days at the American Towman Dallas Tow Exposition, August 17th, 2019 at 0800 Room Appaloosa 2. R.

Hi All ... I'm headed to the tow show in Dallas where this year, I'm teaching my seminar, "From the Dispatch Office", focusing on the importance of good dispatching. Dispatchers are those behind the scenes office heroes who make tow action happen, but the wrong dispatcher can harm a company's productivity, morale, efficiency and total operations. I invite you to be part of this light-hearted presentation designated to salute all dispatchers this Saturday, August 17th, at 10 AM, Room: Appaloosa 1. I look forward to seeing you there. R.

Hi All ... I'm looking forward to seeing you in Dallas. I'm teaching a seminar on the importance of building an advanced warning area for tow operators serving the highways. When reading tow operator fatalities, one of the most mention associated factor in white-line fatalities is because towers FAIL to identify their roadside work zone. This photo presentation shows what steps and techniques are helpful and why they are necessary in making your presence more visible beyond turning on the tow truck's overhead lights. I invite you to attend my seminar on Friday, August 16th at 10 AM in Room: Appaloosa 1. See you there.

The reality in any traffic stop is ... you never know if a motorist is planning to kill you. Christine and I pray for the fast and complete recovery of the two surviving officers as well as the officer who lost his life. R

I'm surprised to see no one responded to this question. Having documented more than 900+ tow operator fatalities since 1934, I believe that the greatest cause for operator fatality is towers are working the white-line side. But remember, the fatality numbers have climbed at the invent of cell-phones and an increase in distracted, intoxicated and drug-related vehicle operations. The number mentioned (60) is an average only. Also note, when state law require that four point tie-down and safety chains must be applied to towed and transported vehicles, state law puts the operator in harm's way. The message of white-line safetyvfor all towers to fully understand and practice, but somehow not practiced, just like cops that walk and stand on the white line to make traffic stops. I think the best training to instill that safety message is by taking a free TIM course. R

With all of that rain in the Pacific Northwest, you've got Holmes trees all over the place. Great job and thanks for sharing. R.

These are all magazine quality photo's guys ... thanks for sharing. R.

Christine and I sendour condolences in the tragic loss of this tower, his family and the company he worked for. R.

My data counts 41-tow operators killed so far in the line-of-duty for this year with almost five-full months left in the year. last night around 9:15 PM, another tow truck operator was killed in Louisiana. Christine and I send pur prayer and sympathy to this tower's family and his company. R. Tow operator, Lloyd Moore Jr., (65) was attempting to load a disabled vehicle onto his wrecker on the shoulder of I-20 when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. https://www.knoe.com/content/news/Wrecker-driver-hit-and-killed-on-shoulder-of-I-20-516494101.html https://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/crime/2019/08/03/wrecker-driver-hit-killed-unknown-car-interstate-20/1910783001/ Details are limited and a toxicology report is pending. At this rate of five tow operators being killed per month in 209, we're on the way to reaching the average of 60-operators killed.

Here's praying for Darrell Simpson speedy recovery. R.

I can only imagine the mental stresses he, his family, and Jacob's Towing are having. Christine and I send to Todd our prayers and support wishing him a full and speedy recovery. And, that includes him having the intestinal fortitude to return to work if that's his and his family's decision. R.

Thanks Ron for providing the link to the USCCA site and your's is a very good recommendation for sure. You're right about the world we live in, especially after Steve Tasker was gunned down in Baltimore last Monday as the result of a possible street robbery. Perhaps the best defense for any shooting is whether or not the action is justifiable and that the shooter is properly trained and permitted to do so. Even still ... the family of the deceased may file a wrongful death suit because there are plenty of ambulance chasers awaiting the opportunity. R.

Hi All ... I've been following this Vegas shooting since it came out. Interesting. I'm wondering if any insurance representative or insurance expert on this Tow Force site can clarify if there exists any form of insurance to cover on-the-job, or on-the-job site shootings, whether justified or not? What happens if a tow employee shoots and kills someone robbing the company on auction day hoping to liberate auction proceeds? OK ... so the shooting is deemed justifiable but results in a civil suit by the family of the deceased. What if someone pulls a gun on a driver who has a valid CCW permit and the shooting is questionable versus justified? If the driver's shooting is deemed, "on-the-job", will there be any insurance coverage specific to shootings? What if during a PPI, a tow truck driver a punches and involved party, they fall to the pavement and they split their head and dies three-days later? Now what? I know too many towers who carry, both legally and illegally based on the dangerous nature of their work. I ask this question based on having recorded as many as 117 tow operator shootings or other violent acts since 1934. Ive recorded all kinds of reasons ... during repos in action, PPIs, road rage, during attempted auto theft and especially robberies. Aside from the police investigation, what happens when the tow company and tow employee is sued in civil court after-the-fact? If the deceased family wins in court ... is there insurance coverage? What about company policy and procedures for no carry? A company can have a written policy, but if an employee is involved in a gun related incident outside of the no carry policy anyway, is there insurance to cover the employee's actions? That's is a tough one. As a former Crimes Against Persons investigator, I know the police side, but what about insurance coverage for a civil action after-the-fact? I think this is a reasonable question based on the violent climate of the towing and recovery industry. Are there any insurance reps willing to provide some clarification or guidance? R.

Perhaps the value of a chock block (misssed by everyone bye the way) could have prevented this roll-away. It's an easy practice, but one not typically employed. R.

I saw this post a bit late ... but comment that this happens frequently (here) in San Diego with smaller sized school busses for churches and schools. The bad-guys shimmy under the bus, poke a hole in the tank and let it run into some kind of basin. With diesel already at $4 plue per gallon, this kind of theft is an easy way to refuel.

Hi Brian ... this topic of PTSD is one we've discussed before. It's my opinion that tow owners HIDE from training and the reality of PTSD as a way to avoid potential Worker's Compensation claims. Having presented three tow show seminars in Vegas, Dallas and Baltimore on the topic of PTSP, less than 100-hundred total attendees came to learn about PTSD. That's an indication of how owners don't care about PTSD. I agree that towers should have some from of PTSD recognition, but since there are no requirements (like in much of what those industry does) very few make an effort to Self-educate. I think the state of Texas is one that requires towers to participate in "continuing education" as means to better educate their responders. But, in states like California, fire departments DON'T wash blood and ground fluids down the gutter because of downstream considerations. As far as limiting exposure, I personally feel that's a week excuse to limit a fire crew to one-incident of trauma when they respond to hundreds of trauma related incidents in a calendar year. Not sending a engine company to do a "wash down" keeps the fire engine "In-service' for other emergencies and paramedic runs. Bringing a contractor out to do the work may be the way of the future, but these scenarios are chance happenings and fuel for any soft-hearted tree-hugger to bring before the 5 o'clock news. Just for fun ... California OSHA requires permits, licensing and training for individuals whose business it is to clean crime scenes. Here's a link to show what training is required by OSHA. Does it fit into the towing and recovery industry? Who knows? I don't believe it's the tower's responsibility. Here's the link: https://smallbusiness.chron.com/permits-certificates-licenses-required-start-crimescene-cleaning-service-24517.html

Hi All ... This may be in the wrong place, but, Christine and I are sending our prayers and sympath to Cindy Julian in the memory of Philip Julian's passing two-years ago. Cindy and Philip werean active participants in the towing and recovery industry, especially in Tennessee. Philip's presence on Tow 411 will not be forgotten. Philip had plenty to say and was a great voice for the Tennessee association. After his passing, Cindy called me to tell me that she was selling the business. If any of you know Cindy, would you please tell her we're thinking of her. So ... in the memory of Philip Julian ... we miss you and haven't forgotten you.