One to Remember

As tow operators we encounter many situations that have a negative effect on our physical, mental and emotional health. Getting a call out to a motor vehicle collision and not knowing the condition of the passengers can carry a heavy toll on our hearts. All too often we are left cleaning up the pieces of other people's mistakes. It can sometimes make us question our line of work and ultimately our passion for doing it. 

Then comes a situation like the one a team very close to me experienced.

The call comes in from our local police dispatch center. Vehicle roll over into a creek, driver pinned inside, fire department unable to extricate. Hearts start pounding with adrenaline and fear all in the same beat. Trucks become mobile in the blink of an eye. Once on scene the pressure and tension begins to build, working side by side with first responders to get the vehicle rigged and ready to lift. Everyone manages to stay extremely calm on the outside although clearly the fear of the drivers condition is running circles in the back of their minds.

Once the lift is done it's the fire departments time to shine. They work with precision to safely remove the driver, load him into the ambulance and send him away to the hospital. Without knowing the driver's condition, the job of removing the vehicle continues on... although you can see the distraction in everyone's eyes.

Then finally the news we have been waiting for comes: the driver is in non life-threatening, non life-altering condition. Hallelujah! At that point, I don't think there was a person onscene without a smile on their face. The tension and pressure has been lifted, and the faith in why we do what we do, is renewed.

We go through many bad days and experience many bad situations, but all that dissapears on days where you make a difference, a day that a team saves a life.

I am happy to report the driver is making a complete recovery and was even present at the scene the next day to witness the completion of the job.

Shawn Michaud
WM140989