rreschran

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.

Baltimore Tow Operator Steve Tasker, shot and killed July 29, 2019. News Details.

Link:  https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/tow-truck-driver-who-contracted-with-balt-co-police-is-killed-in-nw-baltimore

Christine and I send our prayers and condolences to Mr. Tasker's family and the company he worked for. What a senseless act.

The link below is an additional account with other details.

https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/tow-truck-driver-who-contracted-with-balt-co-police-is-killed-in-nw-baltimore

Hey Brian .. SDG&E is looking to slither out from their responsibility of allegedly starting (wires down) back country fire. You're right on both fronts. Even as a USAA member for 35+ years, we've been Jacked-up. Ans, as we speak, i'm neevously watching a 150 acre fire 15-miles to our west. It's tinder dry out here and the slightest error could result in another wildfire of epic consequences.

In light of California's wildfires and to those tow companies in other fire states, have you experienced (yet) a raise in your total insurance coverage for wildfire?

My small business is situated in my home and we were just raised $6,000 ... no questions asked ... just pay up. If you haven't been HIT yet, best to start looking now as the smaller insurance companies are fastly NOT providing wild-fire coverage. Also, California Fair Plan is hugely expensive and don't even consider them unless it's your very last resort. Good Luck.   R.

Christine and I will be there ... looking forward to it.   R.

Winner winner chicken dinner ... center steering on that farm wagon means better positioning to handle a tram of horses. Good on you.

Reports from the FHP also note that the crash was partially in the Gore Point and both the tower and the customer were allegedly standing near the tow truck.

We're hoping that Marc Smith recovers completely while Christine and I send our prayers to the Schaeffer family in memory of Daniel.

Working on, in, and near gore points is a extremely dangerous process. I personally will request law enforcement to assist, but their presence still doesn't protect towers and cops from being struck as noted in the, January 2019, Michigan on-ramp crash where the tower watched a car slam his carrier as he ran into freeway lanes to avoid being killed by an errant vehicle.

Because of the 0230 time of incident and the fact that the female driver went to the hospital, reports indicate that charges are pending ... maybe suggesting those charges may be DUI related. Get well soon Marc.    R&C

OK Brian ... now yer' messin with me. The Wood electric has steering in the middle. Not on the left ... not on the right. Why in the middle? Remember our conversation?

Now that IS a shameless plug ... but training none-the-less.

Topic Originally Create on Tow411 in September of 2014.

The TIMs CHALLENGE FOR ALL Nebraska TOW PROFESSIONALS

 30 September 2014

 To The Nebraska Tow Truck Association, Membership, and ALL Professional Towers in Nebraska:

 I write to ask of you to consider the following narrative … CHALLENGE to all members of your state’s association.

In the September 2014 Issue of American Towman Magazine, I CHALLENGED all towers to attend a FREE Traffic Incident Management Course. It simply requires four hours of the driver’s time with hope and intent to change the way we towers and first responders work on America’s highway.

I write to ask that you will forward a copy of my CHALLENGE to all of your membership. This is topic specific training every tower, tow business owner and their company’s dispatcher must attend … it’s life-saving information.

FACT: Lessons learned substantiates that tow operators are injured and killed working America’s highways because they were working the traffic-side. I believe that companies don’t provide enough white-line (traffic-side) training to best prepare their employees with best on-scene practices. Unless towers firmly grasp the root causes that lead to our own mortality, we’ll continue to repeat the same bad habits that get tower’s killed.

FACT: Towers don’t like change, but change is desperately necessary. If you’ve been following the cause and effect of tow operator fatalities, you’ll also have read tow attorney Michael Mc Govern’s posts, calling for a Blue Ribbon Study or some happening that ultimately brings an end to needless tower fatalities. Accordingly, I’m promoting the motto that says … “Not me, not today!”

I recently attended the National 12-Hour Train-the-Trainer / Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Course to renew my teaching methodologies. The class was outstanding as it regards on-scene safety and survival. Available to tow owners, tow operators, dispatchers, as well as multiple disciplines working America’s highways and city incidents, is a 4-hour TIMs Course for first responders and roadside workers. I found the course’s material to be what every tower should know to fully understand that best safety practices, habits and awareness’s come from within. In my opinion, the course was the best course I’ve attended in years. And, having been in this industry better than 48-years, I’ve grown tired of tower’s bad attitudes and excuses relating to their safety.

I CHALLENGE all industry trainers to attend a Train-the-Trainer Course so to teach towers proper on-scene safety. Tow owners; it’s your responsibility to care about your driver’s longevity and survival, so sending them to a TIMs Course benefits their safety, your company’s professionalism, and your company’s vicarious liability. Towers; don’t wait for your bosses to send you to this course. Take it on your time or take time off to attend. Don’t be stuck in a routine that isn’t 110% at the top of your game. Don’t make excuses and say, “I’ve been doin’ it this way for twenty-years and nothings happened to me yet.” That’s an ignorant response and makes you being a victim closer than you think.

Attending TIMs is the catalyst that makes you better anticipate those, “what-if situations”, that are danger close on every call. Take the course because you owe it to yourself, your family, your friends, and your community to come home EVERY NIGHT. If you’re as professional as you think you are, then your professionalism and long-term survive-ability demands you attend this course.

Move-Over Laws don’t work; all the lights, cops, sirens, ANSI vests and cones are simply a false sense of security. Don’t sit back and blame motorists and distracted driving for killing roadside workers, there’s something you can do about it. If you’re out there towing cars without assistance, you‘ve got to rely on YOUR best practices or you too might be killed. It’s for these reasons, I challenge all towers to attend TIMs to make you better aware of the dangers you face on-scene. Get smart and attend a FREE 4-hour Traffic Incident Management Course in your areas.

FACT: Word ARE cheap. Actions speak louder than words. Attending a FREE 4-Hour TIMs Course (in your area) will increase your chances of survival. And, when you’ve completed your course, e-mail to me a copy of your Certificate of Completion as proof that you’re TIMs smart. I’d like to know that you’re doing everything possible to keep yourself out of harm’s way … and, taking a TIMs course is the first-step in changing old mentalities and excuses that could possibly save your life. Tower Professionals; take destiny into your own hands and accept this CHALLENGE.

I’m spreading this CHALLENGE to as many Medias as I possibly can. If you haven’t attended TIMs, it’s easy to say you’re not as prepared as you might think you are. FACT:  Too many towers simply fly by the seat of their pants. Are you one of them’? If you need contact information for your state, send me an e-mail requesting the same and I will send you your TIMs coordinators to contact and find a TIMs Course nearest to you. Being TIMs trained is one huge step in decreasing needless tow operator fatalities.

I’m asking 500-towers (or more) to get TIMs trained by the end of 2014. Are you up to the CHALLENGE? Do it now and send me a copy of your certificate at ]rreschran@gmail.com

 Thank you for considering this course.
Most Sincerely
Randall C. “Randy” Resch
Operation’s Editor
American Towman Magazine
California Highway Patrol Approved Instructor
Hall of Fame Inductee #299
Writer, Seminar Presenter, Tow Business Consultation
Retired Veteran Police Officer

Great response Brian. Once again ... your comments are well accepted and tow owners should take appropriate heed. In 1984, our police cars had "spiro-graph recorders" that created data when the police car was driven with its emergency lights on, it's siren activated, sudden acceleration and speeds above 65-miles per hour. We called it, "Cop in a Can", as graphs were reviewed for inconsistent or improper vehicle operations by the cop behind the wheel. It DID have an impact on the way officers drove as a means of changing driving behaviors and response protocols. Although telematic data is frowned on by many, I too believe that there's huge value in their systems and they make for a great management tool. Accordingly, if tow operators are driving in the manner that's acceptable to state law, company policy and procedures, the operator shouldn't be worried. That goes hand-in-hand with a tow owner or safety manager that get's out from behind their desks only to follow their drivers on a periodic basis. What also works is a folded up twenty-spot that's stuffed into your driver's pocket that says ... "Thanks for your safe driving habits."     R.

I've been a huge Cobra fan forever. In November, the movie, "Ford Versus Ferrari" is coming out. If you are a fan of Carroll Shelby and the paath he created in American musclecars, I think you too will really enjoy this account of Shelby's life.    R.

Movie Trailer:    https://www.google.com/search?q=movie+ford+vs+ferrari&oq=movie+ford+versus&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l2.10791j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

As noted ... of the tips offered above, they're a generic finding that doesn't identify a root problem. And, having tracked tow operator fatalities for more than 25-years, my data suggests as many as 308 +/- tow operators were killed for a varied number of reasons ... working the white-line being the greatest cause and 146 +/- operator lives lost in industrial incidents. Based on the data researched in many years, it's my opinon that tow operators are their own worst enemy.     R.

 Electric vehicles aren't new to towing, recovery or fire-fighting ... perhaps the education of dealing with them is way behind the proverbial eight-ball. As an example... here's a pic of one I transported in 1996. Remember the make of what it was?    R.

I love TowForce for the entertainment value it brings. Thanks Ron ... my day needed a smile.   R.

For a second ... let's pretend that we're all members of a jury in a wrongful death lawsuit. During closing arguments, the plaintiff's attorney shows this video and you're asked to consider a verdict of guilty versus non-guilty. The 20-second video depicts ... forward of the carrier is a red signal light. A vehicle forward stops for the red light, a motorcyclist stops behind the vehicle, and along comes an over-loaded Ford carrier with a semi on the top deck ... brakes fade to the floor and the carrier travels another 100-feet. What is the pending result of the lawsuit? I'm not practicing law here ... but, looking at the obvious, there's an obvious answer.      R.