Training

Training Schedule...

By Sept 1, 2008, Texas will have more Trained & Certified Wrecker Drivers than any other State...

The TTSA training team has just completed another wonderful Advanced Heavy Duty School. Yes, the number this year where something to brag about. The casualties where set up in real life scenarios, and the trucks brought to the school where great to play with.

With all this though, there is just something bigger about our schools. I have attended schools all over the country and yet I have never found one that allows students to have so much involvement. When we review the course surveys we always get that the students want more hands on. However, the reality is we could have nothing but hands on and still get these comments back on the surveys. Often times the students underestimate the power of what is taught in the classroom.

As the operators go out in their daily routines after the school they will use the class teachings in their everyday processes. Even then they may not realize it. The great thing about our program and Tom Luciano is that we show how to think outside the box.

Prior to the school, student’s involvement has already begun. Students get with Mike Pool and other members of the association to request casualties and casualty positions to set up scenarios that they have either dreamed up or have had problems with in the past. This allows others to see a resolution to a problem and gives them a resolution as well. Many other schools have casualties in position and the instructors go out and show how to work them. We break into groups and as a group find a way to resolve the issue at hand. This gives all of us including the instructors a new idea and a feeling of pride when things go right.

In the real world, recoveries don’t always go exactly as planned. As professionals we often do two things. We react and complete the job and then we act like we meant for that to happen. The TTSA Advanced Heavy Duty School is certainly no exception to that. When we chose trucks for each job we try not to take the biggest and bad truck or one that rotates. From time to time we do use this equipment; however we do our best to explain that the rigging, connection points to the casualty, and leverage doesn’t change in regards to what we use. A perfect example is when Todd Johnston from Apple up righted a fully loaded cement mixer with a twenty five ton single axle. As often with Todd the recovery went great.

To complete this article all in all the class went great. The surveys came back very positive with a few ideas to consider which is the best way for us to better the program. The instructors where worn out, which is always a good sign that we did our jobs, and I for one didn’t break anything. I hope to see you all at the next school and look forward to working with the TTSA team in the future.

Regards,

Toby Taylor

Learn From the Best....

It is often said, “As goes California, so goes the rest of the Country” This is certainly true of the Towing and Recovery Industry as no other State enforces such strict laws on its Towing and Recovery Industry, and in no other state is the Towing and Recovery Industry held in such high esteem, that is until now.!

With the new Texas Towing Law, Texas takes the lead and many other other states are now looking with interest on how Texas handles its new role. With the new certification, drivers and VSF employees will garner the professional respect they deserve, and become true partners in the business of first responders

With the Texas Towing and Recovery Industry certification, Texas towers are gearing up to meet the challenge! (Click on the images to enlarge)

On their way to State Certification, these Heavy-duty Trainees watch, listen and learn as the instructors hook up a cement truck that has rolled into an excavation hole.

Wire ropes under tension as winches, blocks and pulleys haul the cement truck slowly from the excavation hole watched by Certification trainee’s

NOW the Texas State legislature has moved the Towing and Recovery Industry reporting structure from TXDOT to the Texas Department of License and Regulation (TDLR), the Drivers of Heavy-duty towing trucks will require state approved certification, followed by Medium -duty wreckers and tLight-duty wreckers in the next two years. Will you be ready?

Call MIKE POOLE 432-337-5229 or GREG ARENS 979-826-8088 or other members of the Training Committee to find out what it will take for you to be READY!

TTSA Training Committee

Mike Pool (Chairman)

Rick Chron

Andy Chesney

Greg Arens

Toby Taylor

Don Ward

Jeanette Rash

432-337-5229

972-423-4010

817-283-2121

979-826-8080

325.653.1793

254-773-7486

713-228-2229