OWOA NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 2001
3rd Quarter
NON MEMBER NEWSLETTER
Dear Fellow Wrecker Owners:
This letter is for non-members of the OWOA. If you have received this letter then you are listed in our computer system as a non-member. If you feel we are in error (and this is very possible) please contact me with dates and amounts and I will be able to change the setting in the computer system. I do make mistakes. It will become very important soon to make sure I have the listing correct.
Our last meeting was held in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We covered some of the items we wanted to address with our next legislative bill and covered some of the price changes we felt were warranted. I will be keeping the membership informed of the progress of our future bills. I hope you will decide to be listed as a member to keep up with the changing results and events of your industry.
Speaking of changes, the Directors of the OWOA had a split vote to change the mailing patterns for the newsletter. We reached a temporary agreement that non-member newsletters will be written every quarter. I sincerely hope you will decide to become a member and keep abreast of the rapidly changing events in your industry. Things are really picking up for the OWOA.
Speaking of changes, the DPS mailed out the new regulation book. I want to thank Gene Fitzpatrick for the advertisement of our success in the legislature. In the letter that was inserted with the new “regs” he pointed out the addition of language (instituted by the OWOA) that might help wrecker owners collect fees from owners and insurers of owners of vehicles. We currently have requested the Oklahoma Attorney Generals Office make a ruling on the language and the possible ramifications. If the result of the “AG’s” ruling isn’t satisfactory, we may need to go back to work to achieve our goal.
TROOPER CADET WRECKER CLASS
We are very glad that the instructors for the 2001 Trooper Cadet Class allowed the OWOA member to show off our wreckers and equipment for the cadets. We have been fortunate enough to be able to show the cadets for the last 3 years. We not only demonstrate air bag recoveries but allow the cadets to examine first hand the equipment used by wrecker owners to tow and recover vehicles and demonstrate why dollies are needed and the advantages of dollies and rollbacks and when each is needed. Our class is scheduled for Monday, August 27th at the Robert Lester Training Center in Oklahoma City. Many members have volunteered time and equipment to show the Trooper cadets what and how wrecker equipment works and what proper license and decals look like. This has been very beneficial to all licensed wrecker owners across the state. This is open to all OWOA members and we feel that “the more the merrier” is the best part of this event. If you would like to participate next year, please let me know.
TRAK SYSTEM
Jackie Posh of Paul’s Wrecker Service called and faxed an article about a system being started with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to fax to business owners and retailers photos of missing and abducted children. The idea is to get as many photos to the public as fast as possible. Jackie’s idea was to see if the OWOA membership wanted to volunteer to get on the list and distribute photos through out Oklahoma in a quick manner. This is a system that started in the mid 1990s and allows law enforcement officials to distribute photos of abducted children to a large number of citizens as quickly as possible. This system has resulted in the locating and return of many children. The system is in use in just over half of the 50 states. Oklahoma has acquired a grant from Hewlett-Packard for 30 systems across the state.
If this is something that the membership would like to get involved in you may sign up by calling the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at (918) 337-2800.
TEXAS TOW SHOW
The Texas Towing and Storage Association will have their Texas Tow Show on September 20th thru the 23rd in Arlington Texas. You can visit www.towshow.com for more information. On September 20th there will be a golf tournament for the golfers. Friday night is casino night, which I hear is a lot of fun. Saturday there is a Towers Parade and a Wrecker Beauty Contest. If you want to enter your wrecker and don’t have Internet access, call or fax me and I will get you an application. The Texas Tow Show is always a great place to look at new equipment and education ideas. Wreck Master and TRAA will be setting up certification tests and there are schools and classes galore.
OWOA LOGO USE
It has come to the attention of a few members that non-members are using
the OWOA Logo. This is not
allowed and must be stopped immediately.
If you are not an OWOA member in good standing, you must remove the
OWOA Logo from any and all invoices, paperwork and equipment. You may not represent yourself as a
member of the OWOA. The OWOA
Decals must be displayed by current members only. This is an indication to the public that a wrecker owner cares
about his industry and is willing to join an organization that improves the
industry and service to the public.
We are gaining support and making great strides to a better image to
the public. But we still have
a long way to go. We could
use your help to reach our common goals.
The TRAA is distributing nationwide a new system to help law enforcement and dispatchers and wreckers to communicate more effectively and get the proper equipment where its needed as soon as possible. A 15-minute video describes the theory and operation of the “Vehicle ID Card”. The idea is so simple but yet highly effective. The TRAA made an "ID Card" that lists 7 classifications of vehicles from autos and light duty pickups to the largest of truck/tractor combinations. It provides guidance as to the weight class of each group and where to find the weight on each vehicle. It also gives hints as to what kind of equipment or special considerations might be needed before the wrecker is even dispatched. It even suggests which vehicles could have hazardous material.
The idea is to have the same card in the law enforcement vehicle, law enforcement dispatch center, wrecker dispatcher and wrecker driver. When the law enforcement officer looks at the V-ID chart and says he has a class 4 vehicle that needs dollies, the dispatcher is immediately able to glance at the chart and dispatch the proper equipment. There is also a chart of wrecker vehicles and what class each may handle. There is also a VIN decoder that helps to determine the year of the vehicle from the VIN. These kits are available thru the OWOA at $15.00 each for members. The V-ID charts are being updated and should be available soon. The charts will be sold in quantities and the price has yet to be determined. The V=3DID Cards may well become a requirement for every wrecker service and law enforcement agency to allow smooth communication.
The OWOA will probably provide some of these kits to the OHP and DPS at no charge. It is such an innovative idea and yet so simple. This is the reason we need to get together to exchange ideas and communicate to each other. This helps improve our industry and protect the public. That’s what the OWOA is about.
ACOG Meetings
The OWOA has been invited to attend the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments in providing comments and suggestions for “quick removal of incidents”. ACOG is preparing legislation to provide for a more efficient and quick removal of vehicle from highways and roadways in Oklahoma. There is also a concern that the wording of the law should help to protect those that are required or requested to help in the quick clearance of vehicles and cargo. Currently there is not a lot of protection for emergency workers needing to quickly and efficiently clear the roadway and that is the objective of ACOG Quick Clearance Incident committee. ACOG is preparing legislation to present to the Oklahoma Legislature in the upcoming session.
We should feel honored that we have been asked for our input and advise for the new proposed language. Dewey Farrington and I have attended the meetings and have presented ideas from the wrecker owners perspective. This is a great compliment to the wrecker owners of Oklahoma to be invited to participate in this process.
ELECTION TIME
It’s time for our annual election as required by the Bylaws. I have selected an election committee as required by the bylaws and they will select a slate of officers and directors for the upcoming year. If one of the election committee members contacts you for an office, please consider it. Every one of the current officers and directors has given time and support to our industry. We have made many advances in our industry and have many more ideas to follow up on. If you would like to be considered for an office please don’t hesitate to contact one of the election committee members.
I selected Chuck Sittler (Tulsa – 918 447-1234) as Chairman. Members of the committee are (in no particular order) Jimmy Robertson (Owasso – 918 272-1785), Brenda Hediger (Webbers Falls – 918 464-2698), Lonnie Keef ( Chandler – 405 258-2120), and Jim Wilson (Cushing – 918 225-1013). I selected members close to each other so a meeting would be easier to set up. I am sure each and every one of these individuals would be glad to hear from anyone wanting to become involved in our industry.
The slate of officers will be announced at the next meeting and the election will take place that night. Any member in good standing may nominate any other member in good standing for a directors position. An officers position must be held by a member that has been a member for the preceding 3 consecutive years. There will be an opportunity for any member to nominate any other member for any position. We need to keep getting new members involved in the process of directing the OWOA so we don’t become stagnant with old ideas. We must stay fresh with new ideas and goals.
NEXT MEETING
Our next meeting will be in Shawnee. It will be held on Tuesday September 11th (second Tuesday of the month as usual). This will be the first election we have held outside of the Oklahoma City Metro area in quite some time. The host of the meeting will be Earl Finch with E & J Auto Center in Shawnee. Earl has set up a meeting at Fire Lake Golf & Country Club. It is located across the street from Mission Hills Hospital on Gordon Cooper Drive (South of Shawnee). Your will have a choice of steak or shrimp. Cost of the meal is $16.95. I will notify the Officers and Directors if a Director’s meeting is needed before the regular meeting.
To get to Fire Lake Golf & Country Club from OKC, take I-40 East to Hwy 177 (exit 181). Take Hwy 177 South to Hardesty Road (left turn). From Hardesty go East to Gordon Cooper Drive. Make a right on Gordon Cooper Drive (South) and travel approximately 1 mile. You will see Mission Hills Hospital on the right side and Fire Lake is across the road on the left hand side.
From the East take Hwy 18 (exit 186) from I-40 and travel South. Hwy 18 is called Harrison and will eventually change names to Gordon Cooper Drive. Follow Hwy 18 through Shawnee to Fire Lake G&CC, approximately one mile past Hardesty Rd crossing.
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday - September 11th, 2001
Meal at
7:00 PM - Meeting starts at 8:00 PM
FIRE LAKE
GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
SHAWNEE,
OK
ELECTION MEETING