Tow Professional: Volume: 12, Issue: 1

HAZMAT TRAINING

SPILL CONTAINMENT Volume 12 • Issue 1 • 2023 www.towprofessional.com

EXPERT WITNESS: Drug & Alcohol Reasonable Suspicion & Compliance

INSIGHTFUL TALK: What is in store for 2023?

2023 MAKE IT YOUR YEAR!

As the current issue hits your hands, 2023 is in full swing with days passing that sometimes seem like a blur! The new year seems to be a handful already for many that I talk to. We have prepared an issue that will give you knowledge on the latest products so you can hit the ground running in 2023! Insight in this issue is from some of the top manufacturers in lighting. We will be exploring an array of products built with a passion for adding safety to our industry, clarity on the scene, and awareness to drivers of our first responders.

Hazmat recovery training and spill containment is another topic where our readers need more information. In this issue, Perry Beaty of Hazmat Responder Network explains how hazmat training can add a new revenue stream to your company. Perry also walks us through the products he engineered to assist in safe and productive hazmat spill containment.

In our “Fuel for Thought” series by DJ Harrington, we gain insight on two great shows coming up in Orlando in April: the Florida Tow Show, and the URG, United Recyclers show. Tow Professionals, we are hoping to see you at both! Dan Messina, in his latest installment of “Insightful Talk,” asks, “What’s in store for 2023?” - a deep dive into the areas and opportunities you will want to address in this new year! Jim Lewis our, “Expert Witness,” takes a sobering look into drug and alcohol compliance, and what that means to you, as an owner.

We pray that 2023 will be your best year ever! Thanks again for your readership, service, and dedication to our industry! God Bless and protect our Towers!

Darian Weaver

President & Publisher

darian@towprofessional.com

PRODUCTION

Shirley Ogburn

Editor

Clint Cabiness

Creative Director clint@dialedinmediagroup.com

Boogie Cat as Office Manager

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

David Cotsmire – Will-Burt

Kelsea Eckert – Eckert & Associates

Barbara Fausnight – Custer Products

D. J. Harrington CSP

James E . Lewis

Dan Messina

Executive and Advertising Offices

1005 Mountain Trace

Birmingham, AL 35242

Toll free: 888-802-8544

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www.towprofessional.com

Tow Professional is published nine times a year by Over The Mountain Media, Inc., 1005 Mountain Trace, Birmingham, Alabama, 35242, USA. Tow Professional is distributed free to qualified subscribers. Non-qualified subscription rates are $57.00 per year in the U.S. and Canada and $84.00 per year for foreign subscribers (surface mail). U.S. Postage paid at Birmingham, Alabama and additional mailing offices.

Darian Weaver President & Publisher, Tow Professional

Tow Professional is distributed to qualified Towing & Recovery’s Top Decision Makers. Publisher is not liable for all content (including editorial and illustrations provided by advertisers) of advertisements published and does not accept responsibility for any claims made against the publisher. It is the advertiser’s or agency’s responsibility to obtain appropriate releases on any item or individuals pictured in an advertisement. Reproduction of this magazine in whole or in part is prohibited without prior written permission from the publisher.

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Women in Trucking and Women in Law

By Michelle Cam

Both the transportation and law fields were dominated by men for many years. Both have made vast improvements in the development of women in the fields. Women In Trucking Association, “WIT”, promotes gender diversity in the transportation industry. WIT highlights the many advantages of having different perspectives in the trucking industry, including how to increase the performance for all in the business.

Obstacles like flexible work schedules and fair and inclusive corporate cultures are important to WIT to help women advance in the industry. The ability to overcome these obstacles makes room for more success. Trucking and law both benefit from gender diversity as they allow room to grow through creativity and innovations that lead to a more successful industry. Eckert & Associates, P.A. agrees with the core values that the WIT Association represents.

Attorney Kelsea Eckert started Eckert & Associates, P.A.

in 2005. Since then, her team has resolved thousands of trucking claims. To this day, E&A is still a women-majority company. We enjoy working in transportation law. We will continue to serve our trucking friends and our community.

Special Programs for Women Interested in Trucking

The Women in Trucking Association offers many scholarships and other resources to women to continue their education in trucking. “The Women in Trucking Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports ambitious students, drivers, and professionals in the trucking industry who seek to grow their skills through classroom and vocational training” (Women in Trucking Foundation, https://www. womenintruckingfoundation. org/ . Accessed 1 Sept. 2022).

WIT accepts applications twice a year – for the Spring and Fall semesters. Check out their website if you are interested in beginning or continuing your education in the industry. The foundation was founded in 2011 and is supported by donors and volunteers. The funds are used to help individuals or groups in trucking/transportation, specifically in the fields of Safety, Driving, Technical and Leadership education or training. With the help of this scholarship, people have the opportunity to further their careers in the transportation business.

Women in Trucking continues to support women in trucking. We couldn’t be prouder! Between the WIT association furthering gender diversity, accommodating obstacles for women in the field, and helping women grow in education and training–the sky’s the limit! Here at Eckert & Associates, P.A. we will strive for the same excellency with our staff to help truckers with their downtime claims

HAZMAT RESPONDER NETWORK ANNOUNCES UPCOMING TRAINING DATES AND LOCATIONS

FEBRUARY 2ND - 5TH 2023

OPELIKA, ALABAMA HOSTED BY C.P. WRECKER SERVICE

FEBRUARY 16TH - 19TH 2023

JUSTIN, TEXAS (DALLAS)

HOSTED BY NORTH TEXAS SPILL RESPONSE

FEBRUARY 23RD-26TH 2023

VICTORIA, TEXAS

HOSTED BY OMG-SOL LLC (ELMN8)

MARCH 10TH - 12TH 2023

PARKERSBURG, WV

HOSTED BY MATHENY MOTORS

VISIT HAZMAT RESPONDER NETWORK ON FACEBOOK FOR INDIVIDUAL DETAILS OR CALL 877-356-9767

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Heavy Hauling & Accident Claims

By Kelsea Eckert

It’s a well-known fact throughout the trucking industry that four wheeled vehicles are usually the at-fault party in traffic accident between semis and cars.

The Windmill Example of an Oversized Load:

Owner Operator, David, has a small but profitable trucking business. He and his wife own one heavy haul truck and trailer, designed specifically to haul oversize loads like windmill blades. Last month David and a pilot car were transporting a windmill blade across Oklahoma when a young girl in a small car ran right into the side of David’s trailer. By the grace of God, she wasn’t hurt, and neither was the cargo. But David’s heavy haul trailer was damaged enough to not be drivable until fixed.

The transfer of the windmill blade to a substitute driver’s equipment was expensive, as well as the tow of the trailer to the repair shop. While David’s truck wasn’t damaged, it wasn’t very useful without the trailer that was married to it.

Mitigation Problems for Heavy Haulers

David did everything he could to get the repairs moving quickly. While he knew the odds of finding the type of heavy haul trailer he needed were almost futile, he emailed rental

shops asking if they had the equipment he required. The answer was always “no”, but it was good David took these steps because the insurance adjuster for the young girl’s insurance company asked for proof of mitigation. David was able to forward the rejection letters from the rental companies, showing no comparable equipment was available for rent.

Crazy accidents happen, including one in 2020 between a cattle hauler and a truck carrying a wind turbine blade in Wyoming. Ice may have been a factor in that accident.

Remember to stay safe out there!

As we go into the winter season, be extra cautious of those drivers around you. While you may be a very safe driver, you and your equipment are a big target for others not paying attention.

As always, if you need a lawyer to assist you with a trucking insurance claim, choose a trucking lawyer experienced in trucking claims. We at Eckert & Associates, PA focus on trucking claims and the men and women of the trucking industry. Please call us with your next claim, and we will be happy to discuss your matter at no charge.

For more information visit: www.downtimeclaims.com

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HAAS Alert and Tome Software Announce Safety Cloud® for Android Automotive

HAAS Alert and Tome Software, now Valtech, announced the launch of Safety Cloud for Android Automotive today, debuting an end-to-end digital alerting solution for vehicles using the Android Automotive operating system (AAOS). The white-label AAOS application enables OEMs and Tier1 suppliers to test, deploy, and integrate digital alerts from roadway hazards on HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud® platform into vehicles through one of the fastest-growing automotive software platforms.

Automakers are increasingly adopting a software-defined vehicle experience, and connected services will play a key role in this new ecosystem with implications for customer experience, navigation, autonomy, and safety. Safety Cloud is one such connected service, streaming real-time hazard data from emergency vehicles, work zones, disabled vehicles, and other roadway hazards to automotive OEM cloud platforms. When a driver is approaching a roadway hazard, Safety Cloud delivers a safety message to the OEM cloud software and vehicle 20 seconds in advance, providing enough time for the driver to safely react.

In 2021, Stellantis became the first global automaker to deploy Safety Cloud alerts across its vehicle brands including Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, and Alfa Romeo. Tome, now Valtech, leveraged its expertise in automotive services and embedded software development to develop a customizable AAOS application to receive Safety Cloud messages and display digital alerts to drivers in vehicles with any AAOS-based infotainment system. The new solution streamlines the process for major automakers to deploy lifesaving digital alerts at scale. Tome, now Valtech and HAAS Alert’s integrated solution for AAOS provides automakers with the ability to unlock a true V2X experience in any cellular-connected vehicle nationwide, improving vehicle safety, enhancing motorist awareness, and reducing distracted driving.

Jeremy Agulnek, SVP Connected Vehicle of HAAS Alert, said this announcement significantly reduces the time and resources for an automotive OEM to launch digital alerting in their connected vehicles. “Car manufacturers are looking for ways to cost-effectively bring proactive safety to their customer driving experience. With many OEMs adopting Android Automotive on their next vehicle models, thanks to Tome, now Valtech’s

automotive software expertise OEMs can now implement Safety Cloud digital alerts in a fraction of the time as compared to a traditional embedded automotive software project.”

Cory Hohs, CEO of HAAS Alert, said of the announcement, “We believe it’s critical for all motorists to be able to receive safety messages through legacy and modern in-dash software, not just the cutting-edge solutions of tomorrow. After bringing Safety Cloud alerts to millions of vehicles with our first major OEM partner, we realized the need to offer OEMs a frictionless, scalable integration option that makes real-time safety and intelligence data actionable for platforms like Android Automotive. Working with veteran automotive developers at Tome Software enabled us to create a solution that meets this challenge and provides OEM’s with the ability to achieve full production rollout of Safety Cloud in a matter of days.”

Tome Software founder and CEO Jake Sigal said Tome, now Valtech, has been working with automotive and mobility suppliers for years on safety-specific embedded software projects. “As we’ve seen a spike in AAOS projects over the last two years, we believe that partnering with HAAS Alert to develop a reference digital alerting head unit application is going to dramatically accelerate improvements in roadway safety via a driver-friendly experience,” Sigal said.

Solution enables rapid testing and deployment of Safety Cloud digital alerts in vehicles with Android Automotive Operating System.

BY JAMES E. LEWIS ///

DRUGANDALCOHOLREASONABLE SUSPICIONANDCOMPLIANCE

In investigating crashes, I’ve found several issues with compliance related to drug and alcohol testing, a major program aligned with operating a commercial vehicle, existing as a motor vehicle carrier, and even as a shipper, receiver, or broker. Compliance, involving both a driver qualification file upon initial hiring of a driver, and the pre-employment, random, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing, has caused significant

issues for trucking companies – especially when exposed to a lawsuit pursuant a crash and these programs aren’t properly set up or maintained.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in their 49 CFR 382 section, outlines all responsibilities, from those of a carrier, the driver, testing facilities, and those personnel in trucking companies who are

specially trained to recognize drug or alcohol usage or abuse and have been designated “reasonable suspicion supervisors.”

As I investigate these crashes and some of the most important factors in the documents and evidence obtained from the motor vehicle carrier are the driver qualification file (FMCSA 49 CFR 391.51) and drug and alcohol compliance program (49 CFR 382). Said bluntly, if the driver qualification file isn’t complete and properly maintained, and the company doesn’t have a solid drug and alcohol testing program, a driver for that company should not be operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on public roadways. Backing that notion up a few steps, if a crash occurred, and the driver wasn’t even supposed to be driving...well, that’s how nuclear verdicts happen under the Reptile Theory.

There are two elements to a “solid” drug and alcohol testing program – pre-employment drug screening is completed in accordance with 49 CFR and a random testing program is in place. Every trucking company must either maintain their own random testing program or

join a consortium for testing – many smaller companies join these consortiums where their employees are drawn from a larger pool for random testing.

In a real-world example, I worked as a terminal manager for a major trucking company several years back. As part of my duties, I attended classes and training that designated me as a Certified Drug and Alcohol Testing Technician and a Certified Drug and Alcohol Reasonable Suspicion Testing Supervisor. Several times per week, our company would select drivers and shop employees to be randomly tested for drugs, alcohol, or both. Then my staff and I would administer and supervise those tests. There is a very specific protocol for these tests as outlined in 49 CFR 382 Part 40. These random tests are to be conducted in a truly random fashion – select a number of employees from the entire group without pattern or prejudice, and the tests are announced in a surprise fashion – many times, a driver will receive instruction to go to a terminal and see the safety manager or operations manager, and only at that time are they informed of a random drug or alcohol test.

Pictured: Barbour’s Towing of Raleigh, North Carolina

BY JAMES E. LEWIS ///

One of the primary duties as a terminal manager involved the training I had received to recognize someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol and direct immediate testing. I also leaned on my experience as a military policeman in encountering people who were intoxicated or high

and used that knowledge to help apply the elements learned in the 49 CFR classes. On one occasion at my Oklahoma terminal, I was on a “walkabout,” coined from the movie Crocodile Dundee, where when I had a slack period, I would walk around the terminal and the shop, engaging

employees, checking their readiness for duty, attitudes, and also inspecting the facilities for damage or needed updates. I encountered a male driver in the laundry room and spoke with him, but the driver moved away from me, clinging to a wall. I knew the driver’s truck was in the shop for a brief inspection and there was a load ready and waiting in the yard. The driver was smart to do his laundry while he had this hour or two to wait – the driver had started his duty day. Per his logs, he would be leaving as soon as his truck was ready. However, as I continued to press the conversation, I detected the odor of alcohol emanating from the driver’s breath. I had the driver accompany me to my office where I called in one of the trainers as a witness, and an alcohol test was administered. The driver had obviously been drinking, as the test confirmed a .18% alcohol level in the saliva test. I notified my corporate human resources manager and was directed to supervise a urinalysis. The results of the urinalysis supported the alcohol saliva test, and the driver was terminated.

A common myth of reasonable suspicion testing is that another employee or customer can report someone for being intoxicated or high, and that can trigger a reasonable suspicion test – that’s simply not true. Only someone trained and certified as a reasonable suspicion supervisor can direct an alcohol or drug test upon witnessing the actions and surrounding elements of the driver/ employee personally.

A new development in this arena is the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse governed by 49 CFR 382.701. All commercial drivers must enroll in the clearinghouse and give their identifying data while all companies

hiring drivers must make an inquiry to the clearinghouse prior to hiring a driver. The company must also make annual inquiries to the clearinghouse for each of their drivers. This clearinghouse system adds to the system already in place where a company potentially hiring a driver makes written inquiries to the companies the driver has worked for in the past three years. The clearinghouse, though, takes several elements of potential fraud and apathy out of the equation – someone could falsify the written form stating that a driver did not fail a drug or alcohol test; and it also overrides the issue where a potential employer could not or would not contact a previous employer.

One final part of the drug and alcohol testing system is the post-accident or incident testing scenario. A company is required to mandate a test for a driver involved in a Department of Transportation (DOT) recordable crash

– those involving injuries, fatalities, or the disablement of either vehicle. 49 CFR 382.303 dictates that any driver receiving a citation after a crash or incident must be tested for alcohol within eight hours of receiving the citation. The driver must be tested for controlled substances within 32 hours. The exception to this rule is that any driver involved in a fatal accident, whether cited or not, must be tested under these two parameters.

All of the “chapters” from the FMCSA drug and alcohol program are examined after a driver has been involved in a crash. Records are subpoenaed. If the driver qualification file isn’t complete; if pre-employment testing wasn’t completed; if a random testing program isn’t in place; and if post-accident testing wasn’t completed, a trucking company firmly holds their share of liability in the crash.

Whatisinstorefor2023?

When I started TowTrax, I knew I had a great idea that would change the industry. I had a strong developer, and a few good people to help me with the tow companies. I knew I needed a big investor to help me get this off the ground. Other companies had investors willing to give over $50 million. I held a meeting at my office building and invited all the tenants to come and see a demo of my product. I had 22 people in the room, and at the end of the meeting I had three major investors who were willing to invest in TowTrax.

Well, it’s the start of a new year and only god knows what is ahead for us. A recap of 2022 put challenges in front of us like

1. Covid – When Covid hit it hurt a lot of businesses. Businesses were closing, people had to wear masks, and birthday parties and other social events were canceled. You could not even visit your family for the holidays. We are told that the covid is over, but there are

other pandemics out that could affect our business.

2. Gas Prices – When Biden took office the first thing he did was kill the Canadian pipe line. We started to buy our oil from other countries which had a big impact on the gas prices. I can’t tell you how many times I told myself, boy am I glad I sold my company. Gas prices went down when there was voting for a new congress. Now that the elections are over gas prices are starting to go up again.

3. Poor economy – For what ever reason our economy took a dive. People stopped driving because they could not afford gas. Vacations were put on hold, businesses refused work because of the distance they had to travel. There are at least ten other reasons why the consumer stopped traveling which affected our industry. My business works with motor clubs, and we were told their tows are down 30% because people don’t want to travel.

DAN MESSINA

4. Less Travel – Not only are the consumers not traveling, but private business is also traveling less because of the gas prices.

5. No price increases – Ask your self when the last time your customers, or cities gave you an increase. If garages are not getting cars to work on for what ever reason, they cut back on tows you performed for them. I can’t tell you when the city of Dallas gave tow companies an increase. Not only have they not given increases, but they gave the city pound to a private tow company to operate.

6. No Trucks – Tow trucks were hard to find in 2022. Manufactures were taking 9 to 12 months to build a new truck and used trucks were even harder to find. Finding parts to build new trucks were hard to find. Then there was a shipping problem once the builder found the parts.

7. No Parts – If you had a truck and it broke your truck could be down for a long time waiting for parts. Shipping was a big problem because of truck strikes and other countries that made chips for trucks stopped making the chips. Our government played a big part of

our problems for 2022.

8. No Drivers – Not only was this a problem in 2022, but it will be an ongoing problem for a long time. When the covid hit the government paid people to stay at home. This included drivers and dispatchers. When it was time to come back to work your employees decided to stay at home. They found out you can make more money staying at home and being paid by the government. What did this create, a pay increase for everyone. Minimum wage was increased, and owners of businesses found they had to pay a minimum of $20 dollars an hour and in many cases a signing bonus just to get them to come to work. The attitude of the new working person changed. They wanted to work from home, they wanted to work their own hours and they wanted other benefits. None of these things were in the owner of a business budget. They took the loss and made adjustments just to open the doors again.

After reading this I did not realize how depressing 2022 was. Read the list of problems for 2022 and tell me if you think they will change. Now it time to look at

BY DAN MESSINA

2023. I think our number one problem will be finding drivers. You have owners of businesses that want to turn the company, but the millennials of today have their own ideas on what they want to do in future. Make videos and sell them. They can work from home and work when they want. If they don’t make any money, they don’t care because they are living at home and dad will pay their way.

I think its time for the industry to come together and start creating our own methods for training new drivers. I thought about starting a trade school and educating the following;

1. People coming out of jail. The ones with minor offenses.

2. The homeless or unemployed.

3. Unemployed or homeless military.

4. The unemployed that want to work, they just need some training.

I think there are plenty of opportunities to find drivers we just have to work on our own program. I think the customer base we get tows from will change drastically. I will use motor clubs as an example. I know how you all feel about motor clubs, bit the fact they generate over 30

million opportunities each year. They are cutting back on trade shows, so you can discuss prices or sign up with them. They will find other means for finding a tow truck through new software that is being created.

In Dallas, the city pound was turned over to a private tow company, so they may control tows that you get or don’t get. There are companies out there buying up dispatch software products. This will have an impact on your business and cost you money you were not planning on spending. I haven’t looked at insurance yet, but I’m sure it will be hard to find and when you do their prices will be high.

I’m sure there are some positives thing taking place in the industry, but no one wants to share them. There are at least 5 major tow shows a year and I think its time we come together as an industry and discuss things we can do as a group that will help all of us. I’d be willing to lead this group if we could find 10 tow companies that want to help me. I’m easy enough to find, so give me a call and tell me what you think.

Be safe and good luck in 2023

OVER ONE – LOSE NONE!

Our mission is to:

• Evoke the public conscious to understand they are the most powerful source to define life and death on our Nation’s highways.

• To educate and make them aware they need to make a life change so first responders can live theirs!

• To unite all common industry first responders to train, educate and motivate the public we serve to just

OUTSIDE EXHIBITS: THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY INSIDE EXHIBITS: FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, 9 A.M. – 6 P.M.

2023 FLORIDA TOW SHOW® SCHEDULE

As of January 26, 2023

THURSDAY, APRIL 13

12 pm – 5 pm Registration Open Convention Lobby

5:30 pm – 7 pm State Association Presidents Reception

7 pm Jerr-Dan Event

Big Lot

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

8:30 am – 5 pm Registration Open

Convention Lobby

8:45 am – 12 pm

WreckMaster Light/Medium-Duty Recovery Class

Sabal A, B, C Learn how to stay safe on scene, prevent property damage claims, calculate resistance, calculate anchor ability, use snatch blocks, perform basic winching techniques, applying your new knowledge of resistance to rigging and equipment and earn customer confidence.

9 am – 9:45 am Advance PPI to a Comprehensive Parking Management Service

Sago 4 Offer: both Permitting AND Enforcement residents and managers

10 am – 10:45 am

Jim Shellhaas, Ranger SST

What Google Wants from You

Sago 4 Learn what the current demands are to rank well in search, advertise efficiently, earn reviews and increase your cash call leads throughout your service area.

Dennis Wencel, Lift Marketing Group

11 am – 11:45 am Don’t Just Manage Your Business, Optimize It

Sago 4 Running a profitable towing and roadside business is not easy. Optimizing your businesses, how to spot and fix problems.

Presented by Traxero

1 pm – 3 pm Florida Lien and Title Workshop

Seville DHSMV Carole Jean Jordan

1 pm – 1:45 pm Finding Qualified Drivers & Mechanics in 2023

Sago 4 Hiring drivers and mechanics is increasingly difficult. Find new employees faster within weeks, not months!

Presented by David Ostrov, Whiterail Recruits

2 pm – 3 pm Tricks of the Trade

Sago 1 Learn how to neutralize locks of all kinds, vehicles, padlocks. You will be amazed, ladies don’t be afraid to attend, everyone will be entertained.

Steve Young, Sponsored by AutoLock Solutions

7 pm Miller Event

Big Lot

SATURDAY, APRIL 15

8:30 pm – 2 pm Registration Open Convention Lobby

9 am – 12 pm EV Driver Training

Sabal A, B, C The rEVolution is upon us with electric vehicles – what a tower needs to know.

Presented by Matt Bowman, Energy Security Agency

9 am – 2 pm Lil’ Towers Event

Veranda Event Room Sponsored by Allstate Roadside

9 am – 9:45 am PPI: Permitting AND Enforcement – Residential and Day Lots

Sago 4 New solutions expand opportunities for PPI providers to include commercial properties

Jim Shellhaas, Ranger SST

10 am – 12 pm Florida Lien and Title Workshop

Seville DHSMV Carole Jean Jordan

10 am – 10:45 am What Google Wants from You

Sago 4 Learn what the current demands are to rank well in search, advertise efficiently, earn reviews and increase your cash call leads throughout your service area.

Dennis Wencel, Lift Marketing Group

11:45 am – 1 pm Women of the Towing Industry Luncheon

Sabal D, E, F, G Presented by PWOF – Women’s Division

Sponsored by GEICO

1 pm – 1:45 pm Towing Technology 101

Sago 4 Technology is everywhere and changing constantly. Staying on top of the latest and greatest, the evolution of technology space and how it has changed the game.

Presented by Traxero

1 pm – 1:45 pm Finding Qualified Drivers & Mechanics in 2023

Sago 4 Hiring drivers & mechanics is increasingly difficult. Find new employees faster within weeks, not months!

David Ostrov, Whiterail Recruits

1 pm – 3 pm Lockout Class

Sago 1 Steve Young, Sponsored by AutoLock Solutions

2 pm – 2:45 pm Captives, How to Turn Your Insurance Program into a Profit Center

Sago 4 A discussion on a captive and understanding the income streams within a captive insurance program

3 pm – 3:45 pm

Don Blood, Brown & Brown Insurance

Mental Fitness in a 24/7 World

Physical fitness gets the hype, mental fitness is just as important for a healthy life. Learn some tips and tricks to gain mental clarity.

Presented by Michelle Sukow

D.J. HARRINGTON CSP ///

TwoShowsforTowersinApril

That’s right! Not, one but two opportunities are coming down the road for towers. Both are happening in the month of April. First, we have the Florida Tow Show, April 13th – 15th, convening at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace. That might be a mouthful to say, but there’s a full spread about the FTS in the Tow Professional magazine. As all of us know, it is one of the best tow shows in the United States. More towers from all over the world will come to this show, including people throughout the scope of Europe just to say they attended this great event.

While at the Florida Tow Show, you will hear from a very gifted speaker who owns her own towing company in the state of Wisconsin. Don’t miss this talk, 3:00 to 3:45pm. This will be one of the best 45 minute segments that will make you say you’re glad you attended. The speaker I am

referencing is none other than Michelle Sukow. I have made a living as a professional speaker and know that Michelle is a person you’ll want to hear. She knows the industry, whether it’s good, bad, or ugly. I promise that you’ll learn a lot listening to Michelle Sukow. In case you’re wondering, I will be attending. Michelle has two podcasts, one is Tow-Tally She Said, the other is the Michelle Sukow podcast. There is also another class on the same day that you need to attend.

Also, on Saturday, the 15th, don’t miss “EV Driver Training”. Towers, the revolution is upon us with electric vehicles. This training class will inform towers what they need to know. Presented by Energy Security Agency, they are the same group that was hired by Qatar to train the World Cup. They are presenting from 9AM to Noon. Matt Bowman is the presenter.

Another don’t miss opportunity is Brian Riker who will be speaking at the All-State Tent on Friday and Saturday morning. You don’t want to miss a true gift to this industry, “Your DOT GUY”, Brian Riker, information coming from a tower’s tower. Brian also has a great podcast called, “Your DOT Guy”.

Now, what’s the other show for towers in April? Two weeks after the Florida Tow Show is the United Recyclers Group, better known as the Annual URG Training Conference, also being held in Orlando, Florida on April 27th-29th at the Hyatt Regency, Grand Cypress. With changes in the economy, more and more tow owners are looking for a new profit center and are welcoming extra income from the auto recycling business. And it’s working quite well for them too. You might recognize Stepps Towing who also owns a recycling center. Lots of towers are looking into the recycling business, so don’t miss hearing how recycling can add to your profit line.

Go to www.u-r-g.com to learn more about URG, their conference and find out why towers are looking into the car they sell for $400 or maybe $500 is worth $3200 to $3700 parted out. Wondering how a tower can get involved in recycling too? Answer to be revealed with my next article about RECYCLING in this great publication.

Proper way of writing invoices

Are you still writing your RECOVERY invoice on a TOW slip? That’s a thing of the past.

Accident scene

clean up

Are you leaving car debris and oil behind at the accident scene? You can be liable for this even YEARS later. We show you how to make site remediation profitable not an expense.

Keeping the paper trail

Learn how to properly document the scene from start to finish so you will have all the info you need back at the office.

Billing on property damage liability insurance only

Have you heard that

Before ending this article, I need to make an announcement. Tow Professional magazine and podcast would like to say “Thank You” to all our state associations for all the wonderful things they do for our industry. All state Executive Directors and their Board Members are invited to a Hospitality Reception being held at the Florida Tow Show. We will keep you posted on the “Thank You” Reception in a future issue of the Tow Professional and on the podcast. It is a small way to thank leaders in our industry who give up lots of their time, talents, and treasure to help develop our state associations. We are proud of these people and the work they do and just want to say, “Thank you”.

In the meantime, don’t forget to make your plans now to hear Michelle Sukow, Matt Bowman and Brian Riker at the Florida Tow Show and recycling at the Annual URG Training Conference. Give me a call at 770-301-4122 if you want to know more about either show for towers or about the Thank You Reception.

See you next time or on the next Tow Professional podcast.

Bene ting for the families of our fallen

If each company in the industry gave just $5 when a tragedy occurs, we could generously support the families of our fallen in so many new ways.

Can you give $5 when a tower dies?

Help us support those left behind by the dangers of our profession.

The Survivor Fund

The “Survivor Fund” was created in 2006 to complement the International Towing and Recovery Museum’s Wall of the Fallen. This fund was established to help those families who have lost a loved one in the line of service.

A Survivor Fund committee was formed of people from all over the United States from the towing industry. The committee is given the information regarding the fallen and the application is processed within 24 hours of receipt. Once the decision is made, a check is sent right away to the family to assist with immediate nancial issues during this tragic time in their lives.

Company owners, family members, or friends can submit the application for bene ts on behalf of the family of the deceased. The application can be found on the website at www.thesurvivorfund.com and can be submitted by mail, fax, or e-mail.

Fourteen years of service to the towing and recovery industry worldwide

Managed by industry professionals

Pledges replenish funds and allow payout growth

$7,500 bene t, $9,500 for museum members

Immediate funds to help at the time of tragedy

Funded by donations only

Hundreds of families supported

Tiered system allows payout increases based on reserves

Hundreds of thousands of dollars paid out to date

Survivor Fund Continuing Support

To ensure the longevity of these bene ts as we work to build a perpetual fund, we are asking each person, company and organization in the industry to participate in supporting the Survivor Fund and these families when a tragedy occurs. Your pledge to become a Survivor Fund Continuing Support Partner represents a commitment to our industry.

As a Continuing Support Partner, you will receive an e-mail from the Survivor Fund when a tragedy occurs and meets the governing guidelines of the Survivor Fund for disbursement. As always, the ITRHFM Survivor Fund will handle direct payment to the families. We will simply solicit your contribution in the pledged amount to replenish and build our fund after each approved payout. The e-mail you receive will provide information on the current tragedy as well as information on how to remit the payment to honor your pledge.

www.thesurvivorfund.com/pledge

support our industry.

TOWING & RECOVERY + HAZMAT, “I DON’T KNOW”

TOWING & RECOVERY + HAZMAT, “I DON’T KNOW” - A familiar phrase in this industry is, “ I don’t know”! That can’t pass as an excuse in this day and age because of all the available resources found on the internet. By simply typing a

subject in the search bar, multiple answers show up. This gives quick remedies and directions for several topics of various questions we may have. There are a couple of categories for people that use this phrase, “I don’t know” or “I don’t care.” These are individuals

that don’t care to change and have no desire to learn. This also indicates a lack of understanding with no desire to learn more. It takes sufficient motivation to reach challenging goals and to expand business opportunities in order to experience higher profit

levels. Many business owners are constantly exploring new ideas for service offerings to enhance their business platform. Tow and recovery equipment has been constantly changing since the mid 70’s, from conventional car and truck slings to under reaches,

recovery techniques have changed due to vehicle designs and proper transport tie down points. Law enforcement along with DOT, DMV and Traffic Incident Management are becoming more involved in accident clearance, requiring operators to be trained to a certain set of standards. Technicians are required to perform their duties proficiently as well as maintaining their equipment to handle recoveries of all types of vehicles. Competition drives the equipment updates as far as the latest and greatest in tow and recovery vehicles ex; Rotators for heavy recovery. Owning the proper

and necessary equipment also brings about a level of training of recovery techniques that enhance the operator’s performance level. This applies to accident clean ups as well. Spill response requires a vast array of equipment and knowledge which enables correct procedures to be obtained for safe remediation and disposal of materials. While few government agencies require certification for towing companies to engage in highway accident recovery, the Federal Government has standards in place for unplanned and unwanted releases of spilled materials which are sometimes a

result of a highway accident. This required certification is known as “HAZWOPER”. HAZWOPER is the acronym for Hazardous Waste Operations Emergency Response which is also referred to as CFR 1910.120. Congress tasked the federal departments of OSHA, EPA and DOT with publishing rules and regulations governing the clean-up and disposal of contaminates and hazardous materials. I personally was introduced to the HAZWOPER standard at an accident scene where the local EPA was present and had more jurisdiction than law enforcement. I was instructed to stand down until the damaged fuel tank was pumped off before removing the vehicle from the travel lane of the highway. The EPA official on site stated that a private HAZMAT team had been contacted to respond for necessary actions. After a two hour wait, the summoned company arrived and after performing their duties, I was allowed to tow the vehicle away. During the period of waiting, the EPA official explained to me that cross contamination was averted by vacuuming the tank contents into a drum to prevent spreading the fuel over a larger area. I was also informed about the required certification to perform these tasks. So

Towing Insurance Program

Eligibility

Single and multi-state operation

• 1 to 100 trucks

Interline Risk Services’ towing package is a policy that is designed for professional towing operations that are involved in auto repair, body shop, salvage yards, auto transporting, gas sales and more. Our program is backed by an A+ rated insurance company. We offer very broad driver guidelines, along with the most flexible coverages available in the market today.

Coverage

• Auto Liability - $100,000 to $1,000,000 CSL with no deductible or radius restriction Physical Damage comprehensive and collision deductible – $500-$2,500

• Auto Medical Payments – $1,000 to $5,000

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (non-stacked) – Basic limits or as required by law

• Personal Injury Protection – Basic limits or as required by law

• General Liability – $100,000 to $4,000,000 CSL (General liability covers premises and operations - even operations away from the premises such as road side)

• Hired and Non Owned Liability – Limits equal to General Liability

• Garage Keeper’s Legal Liability – Maximum limit per location $500,000 CSL

• On Hook/Cargo – Maximum limit per auto $300,000 with excess policies available

a. Loading and unloading is included in our cargo form, and will cover the cargo while it is in the process of recovery until it is delivered or stored.

b. Our cargo form is the broadest in the industry with coverage for equipment hauled as well as autos. Contents of vehicles are covered as well.

c. NO DRIVE TRAIN EXCLUSION - we do not exclude drive train damage on our cargo form.

d. Debris removal is included in our cargo form with a sub-limit of $2,500.

Other Available Coverage

• Accidental Death and Dismemberment of $10,000 per life on the policy is included on all accounts offered

For more information: 877-578-1516 | info@interlinerisk.com

the “I don’t know” excuse on my part wasn’t a line of defense to be used. After a few more incidents resulting in being unable to tow or recover a vehicle (due to a slack response time of a summoned hazmat team), I decided to obtain the required certification for myself and form a response team of my own to streamline the time of road closures. The certification training was the first step, then acquiring the necessary equipment was paramount to handle different materials. My purpose for entering this type of business was basically response and quick action to open the highway.

As more spill clean ups were conducted, the need for special equipment increased. Some tools weren’t available or didn’t exist so fabrication of what I needed created a line of equipment and supplies that would enhance a quick and easy method of use… which brought about a product line known as “FLOWSTOP”. The design and development of a lightweight, impervious inflatable storm drain plug with flow through ports was the first of many hazmat products offered. Other tools offered with the FlowStop brand included Vac Pump Caddy of 1’’ & 2’’ for hydrocarbons and chemical application, Dome Lid Clamps, Block Locks, Weep Hole Kits, Decon Mat, Adaptor/Reducer Kits, Ground and Bonding Set ups and the well-known FlowStop Football / Containment Plugs.

So…how did HAZMAT RESPONDER NETWORK get its start? While demonstrating the FlowStop Golf balls/Footballs at a trade show, I gave a brief “background” to some interested towers. I was asked, “Perry, why

Alliance Funding Group (AFG), was founded in 1998 and has grown to become one of the largest privately held equipment finance companies in the U.S. Having funded over $2 billion in equipment, we can offer complete credit and asset flexibility.

don’t you teach us how to do what you did to get into the Hazmat Industry?” Basically saying, “I Don’t Know, But I Want to KNOW”! That’s it…that question made me realize that I could contribute to the towing Industry…give back to the industry that had given me so much. The word “NETWORK” carries much weight in bringing more knowledge and sharing of ideas to a fairly new aspect of the towing industry. Also,

innovations afforded by industry leaders such as Hanby Test Systems for onsite soil and water testing and OMG-SOL LLC, ( ELMN8 ) for soil and water treatment, help streamline cleanup times with accurate results. HRN conducts HAZWOPER training at different locations for tow professionals in various areas around the country. Training with HRN consists of classroom studies and “hands on” techniques that provide knowledge to the responding individual. HAZWOPER certification is valid for twelve months followed by an annual refresher training of eight hours required by the federal government. HRN realized that attending the required yearly refresher is a great opportunity to learn about the latest tools, products, and techniques. By adding trade specific information/“hands on” training to the eight hour refresher class, the time invested becomes a valuable “win/win”! The question is…”do you want to know” and grow a beneficial new aspect of your towing company? HRN would love to have you join the “network” of towers/Hazmat Responders nationwide.

Call 877-356-9767 for your training!

TOW OPERATOR

WORKPLACE SAFETY (T.O.W.S)

orkplace safety. When most people hear the term they think of large warehouses with forklifts in constant motion, manufacturing machines with major forces at play, construction, or whatever may apply directly to them. I’d say that few really consider that one of the most dynamic and ever-changing work environments is that of a tow operator, along with EMS, fire, police, etc. There are seemingly limitless variables that converge to create what becomes the ‘workplace’ on any given day or night.

Topographical features such as steep grades and sharp turns can make for a treacherous stretch of highway. Toss in traffic density and adverse weather, and you never really know what you will be pulling up to. Not to mention night, day, dawn, and dusk with varying degrees of each of the above in the mix. And finally, how is the casualty situated within it all. Surely, no two calls are the same.

If you are a long-time subscriber, you may have read my articles in the past addressing everything from developing a routine centered on safe practices, to a multi-layered approach when it comes to lighting the scene to optimize motorist awareness of your presence. Consider this a brief commentary on those things in a more generalized manner. An up-to-date reminder

for some, and perhaps an impetus for new ideas for the uninitiated.

Before diving into the safety-enhancing gear available today, let’s talk workplace practices. I suppose they are referred to as practices because, for the true aspiring pro, there is always room for improvement and refinement of method and form. “There is an art to everything,” they say. This could be anything from the initial sequence of actions from the moment the truck is shifted into park to the storage of the tools of the trade once the job is done. As with most things in life, there are many opinions, some critical safety standards enforced by law, but certainly no broad consensus on an authoritative approach to the matter. Be it one that is primarily focused on minimizing the time spent on site, the hook-and-go, or that which is more geared towards establishing your worksite boundaries with a prominent perimeter of cones and triangles, or even another truck in the fleet running interference; there are indeed many ways to skin that cat. Clearly, T.O.W.S is completely situational and lands somewhere between calculated risk and seasoned know-how.

Perhaps there is a happy medium to be found. One that provides a significant benefit, similar to a well-defined perimeter of cones/triangles/lights, but perhaps more effective in several ways, not the least of which being the

time required to deploy. A veritable risk-reward “sweet spot,” if you will. A funny way to say it, but if you are one who takes to task with a get-in-get-out approach, have you taken a moment to assess how exposed you might be leaving yourself once that bed is tilted and blocking the light from the overhead bar and tailboard at once? Or before that box truck with its incandescent hazards flashing is ready to roll? Remember, nobody thinks it will happen to them, but it only takes an instant. In addition to reviewing your routine and identifying when you are most venerable while in action,

I would also encourage you to explore some of the quick deploy options that have recently become available and have been shown to have a significant impact when it comes to risk reduction on the roadside.

In the 10 or so articles I’ve contributed to trade publications over the years, I’m not sure I’ve ever really stated my background or, more importantly, what inspires me to stick around and find enrichment and satisfaction in my career. I have been around the industry nearly all of my 37 years, as my father started TowMate in 1985 when he

invented wireless tow lights. He demonstrated the merits of a relentless work ethic and helped me see just how incredible it can be to be part of a company that has several high level manufacturing capabilities such as in house engineering and electronics manufacturing, relative to its size. This translates to a unique ability to be nimble and take a concept and convert it into a physical product for the market in relatively short order. But above all, he believed in himself and toughed it out when most would have abandoned ship. Truly, he is a shining example of what an innovator and entrepreneur can achieve with a can-do attitude and a healthy dose of perseverance and gumption. I believe they call it, “The American Dream.” I have since spent my professional career with the company being fully immersed in the towing world over the past 15 years.

Meeting you all at tow shows, hearing stories, testimonials, and even complaints while there, or simply over the phone, that is where the every day issues you all face come to light. In turn, as a manufacturer whose goal it is to increase safety, reduce harm, and produce a positive effect on others at every turn possible, it is our responsibility to not sit idly and turn out the same thing that has always been but with a different tag. Rather, to the contrary, we have gradually and organically branched out with our product development as a direct result of listening to and identifying our customers’ needs. Our forward-thinking approach to engineering new products has resulted in the development of a myriad of products that fit the real world needs of the individual.

One example is our Power-Link 2-wire install Class I LED light bars and the complementing array of versatile

auxiliary warning lights that bring greater functionality with more ease. You can view a video where I discuss how it all works and some of the useful functions that were previously unattainable by clicking here or searching YouTube for TowMate TV. We have taken our efforts a step further by creating systems off of the truck as well, mounted on traffic cones or otherwise (The Life Saver : p/n TM-LS-STND and the Move Over Pro : p/n MO-PRO), and even perimeter warning devices that alert you when someone breaches your work zone (See also: Safety Alert System : p/n TM-SAS-RC).

We are an Arkansas based manufacturer who takes an earnest approach to business. Our goal is to make a difference for the heroes who put themselves at risk to serve the public at large, day in and day out. We strive to utilize our resources to put the pieces together and unify emerging technologies with new and innovative ways to address such issues in a more effective manner. In other words, it is a two way street that involves listening to those in the field on a daily basis, being receptive to critique, all the while being in tune with what emerging technologies may be able to improve upon what is available in the present.

In summary, the main idea is to keep everyone thinking about safety. The more heads on the case, the higher the likelihood for further progress in bringing the number of fatalities on the roadways down. As with our products, we will be doing our part by putting our best and brightest on the “case.” We have some very exciting projects and collaborations to come in 2023, so be sure to keep in touch and come see us at the trade shows in support of our quality dealer network. To find a dealer near you, visit www. TowMate.com/dealer.

Lighting Tech for the TOW PROFESSIONAL

By David Cotsmire

Full disclosure, just so you know where I am coming from here. I remember the days of corded rotary phones and party lines where you would have to ask your neighbor to hang up so you could place a call. I also remember walking to a co-worker’s office to converse with them, or calling them on the phone. Handheld searchlights that required those huge rectangular six-volt batteries seemed to last only minutes and didn’t provide much more light than a candle. I was two years old when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon! The bottom line is that I love technology and the benefits it has delivered – a safer, cleaner world in which to work and play. Let’s explore how lighting and power technology has improved to allow the tow professional to work in a safer environment at night and

be more efficient at the same time.

Will-Burt’s Night Scan on-vehicle folding light tower was introduced in the late 1980’s and significantly improved the safety of nighttime road rescue operations for towmen, police, and fire fighters. Night Scan then, as it does today, focuses the illumination power of several lights on the working scene. A remote-controlled positioner allows a user to point the lights exactly where they are needed regardless of the position of the vehicle to which the system is mounted. Needless to say, the manner in which this was accomplished in 1989 was significantly different than it is done today.

Today, the power management system, controls, and lights are much more advanced than 30+ years ago. Will-Burt has employed the latest technologies to make the system more powerful, more dependable, and more effective for the same price (adjusted for inflation). We will review beginning at the top of the mast where the action is – LED lights.

LED lights have become more powerful, rugged, and affordable over the past several years. Beyond these

benefits, LED lights consume much less power than the lights on that 1989 Night Scan, in fact, that 1989 model

consumed 9,000 watts to generate the same amount of light as today’s model that operates using 1,200 watts. What this means is that today’s system can be run from vehicle power, no need for a costly generator. Another important benefit of LED’s is that many of the lights offered by Will-Burt come with a limited lifetime warranty; you will not find that with the old halogen lights. The positioner to which the lights are attached was once filled with relay switches that simply controlled the up / down, left / right movement of the lights. Today, potentiometers provide digital positional feedback to the Night Scan IQ allowing the position of the lights to be displayed on a LED monitor.

•

• 32K Lift Capability

•

• Distributes Weight Properly

•

•

www.truhitch.com

Looking “under the hood,” you will see the “brains” have transitioned from relays and switches in the 80’s and 90’s to circuit boards with built-in relays in the 2000’s to solid state power management and controls using CANBus communications in the Night Scan IQ of 2023. Finicky switches and relays are things of the past; again, delivering a more reliable and safer system.

What would a state-of-the-art light tower be without a user-friendly interface controlling it? Back in the day, controllers were a series of toggle switches, straight forward but a bit archaic. The transition was then made to push button controls with a small LED screen for limited system feedback. Today’s Night Scan IQ employs a multifunction, programmable display that visually shows you the position of the light tower. You can store a number of preset deployment options for the tower so that you can arrive on scene, hit a couple of buttons, and get on to other tasks as

the light tower deploys automatically. That completes our review of the evolution of on-vehicle light tower technology. Next, we will cover the improvements that have been made in portable, rechargeable lighting.

Thankfully, the days of low-power, short-lived, rechargeable lighting products are a thing of the past. The promise of a lighting device, always at the ready, was very appealing – just unplug it and go, but they did not live up to the hype. The devices still used halogen bulbs which were power hungry and, frankly, not so bright with batteries based on Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) developing a memory over time and providing power for shorter and shorter periods of time, eventually making the device practically useless. Today’s rechargeable lighting products are much better!

LED’s and lithium-ion (Li-ion) are a match made in heaven. The low-power draw of LED’s while providing high lumen output coupled with Li-ion power storage can deliver dependable and safe lighting for hours. Li-ion batteries do not have a “memory” and typically perform identically for hundreds of charge cycles. Li-ion technology is changing rapidly and is being driven by the auto industry. Costs continue to decline while energy density per weight continues to increase. Night Searcher along with Tesla are starting to use lithium iron phosphate batteries (LiFePO4)

which offer a lower cost, high safety, low toxicity, long cycle life compared to lithium-ion – the tradeoff being slightly larger size. Make sure to investigate what type of batteries are being used before purchasing a rechargeable product, price typically correlates to battery type and quality of battery build.

The lighting available today is technically advanced and affordable. It is safe and designed to handle the heavy and rugged use of the tow professional. Dispose of those outdated fixtures (along with those rotary phones) and experience all that the future of lighting can do for you!

LIW-LDTL

23” Light Duty Wireless Tow Light Bar with 4-round transmitter & magnetic mount.

LIGHTING PRODUCTS

By: Barbara Fausnight

Tow truck drivers risk life and limb to help those in need on roads and highways. They are, after all, part of the first responder team at car accident scenes, responding to distress calls and driving to service destinations to promote

road safety. Safety is the number one concern for tow operators and drivers on the roads everywhere. At Custer Products, our team is focused to ensure your vehicles are equipped with the latest technology. We will efficiently get you the brightest lighting options available.

LIW-36STR-7R 36” Wireless Tow Light Bar with 7-round transmitter and amber / white strobes.

• Choose the color of strobes added

We have been extremely pleased with the increased exposure that our “Lite It Wireless” tow bars have received recently. Our wireless bars have been featured in several magazine ads; you can meet our team and see our products during key tow shows around the country.

Our individualized frequencies allow unique serial numbers to be assigned to each bar, preventing crosstalk between drivers of the same or different fleets. This feature has also helped recover “missing” light bars by helping identify the owners and getting the bars back to them.

In addition to our wireless light bar line, we also manufacture a corded tow bar line. We have both the PVC material with incandescent lights and the polycarbonate case material with LED lights. Our heavy-

duty extensions are made right here and can be 30 to 60 feet long. We make them for all kinds of sockets, 4-pin, 6-pin, 7-pin and 7-blade.

If you are not interested in the wireless bar option or even a corded full-sized bar, the individual tow lights will be sufficient for your towing purpose. These LED tow lights are also manufactured by our production team in the Massillon, Ohio facility. They also have the option on the 4 plugs mentioned above.

Our Service

Our production team takes pride in all the manufacturing products they make and have a saying “If you aren’t proud of it, don’t ship it!” Our production team, at Custer Products, is busy making products for our distributors and customers every day and is a vital part of our company.

Good customer service can be taught at a school or online, but exceptional customer service comes from the heart of servanthood. Everyone who works at Custer Products understands the importance of customer service in regards to both the internal and external customers. There are several key reasons why we have the best customer service in the industry. Our hearts are in it!

First, we answer the phone. We always answer the phone! You will not hear automated answering, prompting you to press a button to be connected. You won’t have to guess the answer to your questions. We want to talk with you, answer your questions, make sure you are ordering the right items, and help you get your order in a timely manner at the best shipping rates possible.

Second, we believe that because the customer has a need, we have a job to do. Meet that need. Because the customer has many choices now, we have to be the “best choice.”

We understand that because the customer has sensibilities, we have to be considerate. When they have urgency, we have to be quick, and when the customer is

unique, we must be flexible.

Finally, because the customer has high expectations, we must excel. And because the customer has influence, we have the hope of more customers!

Because of the customer, we exist!

It has been a few years since the 2020 Covid 19 Virus hit and crippled so many businesses. We were happy and blessed to be able to serve so many manufacturers and distributors during such uncertain times. We want to thank all of our existing distributors for continuing to choose Custer Products! To all those who joined Custer Products when they couldn’t find their regular supplies anymore, we welcomed the challenge to get you the large quantities you needed. It was a pleasure for our company to be able to serve some of the “big” guys.

Custer Products launched a new website last fall and we welcome you to take a look. There is something for everyone! Custer Products is your online source for Flashing LED strobes, rooftop light bars, bright LED beacons, mounting boxes, adapters, and so much more! WWW.CUSTERPRODUCTS.COM.

We look forward to meeting all your lighting needs!

48” Wireless Tow Light Bar with 7-round transmitter with 4” amber flashers.

LIW-60RFS-7R

60” Wireless Tow Light Bar with 7-round transmitter with 4” amber flashers.

PrioritizeSafety&Efficiency with GOLIGHT.

Let’s face it, the Tow industry is dangerous business. According to NIOSH, Tow professionals are more than two times as likely to be injured on the job as workers in general. That statistic is no doubt bolstered due to the proportion of tow work done at night in low light areas. In those circumstances, perfectly positioned lighting is more than a convenience; it is a tool that greatly influences on the job safety. Golight has been designing precision remote control lighting to assist the working men and women of America for nearly 30 years, and we keep getting better!

Golight, Inc. is a privately held manufacturing company nestled in the heartland of the United States. In December of 1992, the idea of the remote control spotlight was born. After many engineering drawings, tooling refinements, and prototypes, the first Golight was available for sale

in the summer of 1994. Since then, Golight has set the industry standard in remote control lighting. Our lights are in service around the world, lighting the way for everything from military vehicles in theater to snow plows in Alaska and everywhere in between.

In the past 28 years, there have been numerous upgrades to our original product line. Each update incorporates the latest technology to bring our customers the best possible product. Our commitment to quality and durability can be found in every detail of our lights. We take great pride in the industries we serve and the products we provide.

2022 is bringing some bright new changes to Golight with the introduction of the all new Wired Stryker ST. It incorporates all of the features of our Wireless remote ST units, but in a hard wired platform.

• The Stryker ST stems from the original Stryker product line. It features

• Multiple Unit Selector Function - Allows for control of 2 units with 1 remote, either independently or in tandem

• Home Position Function - On-Command return to 0° home

• New Control Technology Benefits - Simultaneous Pan + Tilt – no opportunity for wireless interference

• Backlit remote buttons

• 2 speed rotation and tilt—fast for quick scanning, slow for precise control.

• UV and Saltwater Resistance

• Stainless Steel Mounting Bracket

• 5 year warranty.

• Optional flood lens for wide area coverage.

The Stryker ST Series are available in LED or Halogen with our LED units now providing 32% more power boasting 544,000 Candela with a Max Beam Distance of 4,839 ft. They are both available in Wireless or Hard-Wired remote configurations and Permanent Mount or Portable Magnetic Mounting with 135° x 370° directional tilt and rotation.

Don’t take our word for it, here’s what tow operators are saying. Golight Ambassador Kevin Martinez said “After

that “The remotes were big enough and the buttons were manageable enough to where I didn’t have to take off my gloves to use them. That was a blessing in 16-degee weather and blowing snow.” He went on to say “I lost count of the number of times I reached into my pocket, paired the pair of lights together, and moved them in tandem to focus more of that radical lighting on our work scene… Even though it was 2 am we lit the place up like a football stadium… No slacking the lines to reposition the truck, no running up and down a 60-degree hill in a foot of snow. With the winch remotes on the tow units and the wireless remotes for the lights, we could get a safe distance away from our recovery trucks and the unit being recovered and make all the magic happen.”

For More Info - https://Golight.com

10ft Airlight

• Height: 9 feet 9 inches

• Weight: 29 pounds

• Wattage: 336 Watts

• Light output: 36,000 lumens

• Voltage: 120V AC

• Footprint: 20” x 20” x 18” tall

AirLight Pro

• Height: 12 feet

• Weight: 64 pounds

• Wattage: 860 Watts

• Light output: 74,400 lumens

• Voltage: 120V AC

• Footprint: 28” x 28” x 24” tall

AirLight Pro Max

• Height: 14 feet

• Weight: 72 pounds

• Wattage: 1,100 Watts

• Light output: 111,000 lumens

• Voltage: 120V AC

• Footprint: 28” x 28” x 24” tall

Wireless Headsets

FASTER RESPONSE

Operators and riggers talk to each other in real-time, hands-free. Deliver instructions clearly and answer questions directly while work caries on. No need to shout or use hand signals – clear communication helps get the job done faster.

Advanced Technology

That’s Easy to Use Full-duplex Communication

Hands-free simultaneous twoway conversation. No more shouting – easily talk and work at the same time with your entire team.

VISIBILITY NOT REQUIRED

Far-side operators, talk with your riggers regardless of whether you can see them or not.

IMPROVED PRECISION

There’s no communication breakdown between operators and riggers. On-scene precision and performance goes up as you reduce errors and avoid costly mistakes.

ENHANCED SAFETY

Instant communication allows for timely warnings, alerts, and instructions to the crew. Avoid job hazards and mitigate the risk of injuries and mistakes.

LISTEN-THROUGH

Sonetics Listen-Through Technology lets you mix in outside sound to get the right level of hearing protection and situational awareness.

SITE-COVERING RANGE

2 feet to 1,600. You can depend on the range – no matter what the incident requires

For more information, rprecoveryconsulting@gmail.com or call: 315-730-6566

Command Light Adds Work Tripod To Scene Lighting Lineup

Command Light, a leader in emergency vehicle lighting for tow trucks and wreckers, continues to elevate scene lighting for tow operators, this time revolutionizing tripod work lighting with the introduction of the all-new Trident Tripod, the only tripod of its kind that lets operators choose their power source, plus their favorite high-lumen LED. Pair AC Power, Truck 12V DC or one of our different non-proprietary battery options with Akron Revels, FRC Spectras, FireTech Helios, Whelen Pioneer Plus, a Feniex Arrow Stick or a Federal Signal Message Board.

“Our tripod is available in AC or DC models, but it’s our DC models that are really going to be a gamechanger in the tow market. It’s the first time in industry history that operators can pair a DeWalt® FLEXVOLT, Makita® XGT, Milwaukee® M28 or HURST® EWXT™/ E3™ battery with a high-lumen LED made for emergency vehicle scene lighting,” Command Light President Roger Weinmeister explained. “We really wanted to create a tripod that works with other battery-operated tools, all the while delivering even more light than a traditional tripod. We know that tripods aren’t new to the market, and yet we recognized that the choice in LEDs and power sources was always limited, so now, we’re changing that with the Command Light Trident.”

The Trident is available in 10 DC models and 8 AC models, depending on LED fixture. Each DC tower can be spec’ed with additional options, like shore power, 12V DC truck power and truck mounting brackets with disconnect.

Spec’ed with an arrow stick or a message board, operators can place the tripod near the scene to alert distracted drivers of hazards. And given the increasing number of roadway fatalities, this device could truly be life-saving. In 2022, the Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) reported 50 struckby-fatalities deaths of U.S. roadway responders. In 2021, 65 deaths were documented, and in 2020 another 46 were killed.

“At Command Light, we pride ourselves on creating lighting that truly can help save the lives of victims and reponders alike,” Weinmeister conceded.

The tripod design is also compact, making it a great fit on most any tow vehicle. The Trident touts a 40” or 50” collapsible design, weighing between 20-35 lbs. depending on model. When deployed and extended, the 40” tripod features a 50” reach, while the 50” Trident offers a 91” reach, helping add elevation to this essential lighting.

“Historically, Command Light has been known for its patented light tower, and while we still firmly believe every truck should be equipped with this important piece of equipment to properly illuminate a scene, we also know mobile lighting is important,” Weinmeister added.

“Really, we just want to help operators get light where it’s needed most, whether that’s by setting up lighting near the victim or elevating, rotating and backlighting a large scene.”

Command Light, located in Fort Collins, Colo., has specialized in scene lighting for the emergency industry for more than 25 years and features only the best light towers, compact scene lighting, traffic flow boards and other safety lighting products. Command Light’s towers are available in a variety of configurations, including AC or DC, different tower bases, varying output choices and a long list of options, like backlighting to illuminate both sides of the scene

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