Hub911 - Emergency Services Information for all First Responders; Fire, EMS, LEO
LIKE us ->
  • Home
    • Free Medical Information Card
    • Contact Us
  • EMS
    • EMS Dept. Links
    • EMS Sponsors
    • EMS Classified Ads
    • EMS Events
    • EMS Forum
  • Fire & Rescue
    • Fire & Rescue Dept. Links
    • Fire & Rescue Sponsors
    • Fire & Rescue Classified Ads
    • Fire & Rescue Events
    • Fire & Rescue Forum
    • SOS Supply
  • Law Enforcement
    • Law Enforcement Dept. Links
    • Law Enforcement Sponsors
    • Law Enforcement Classified Ads
    • Law Enforcement Events
    • Law Enforcement Forums
  • Towing & Utilities
    • Tow Equip
    • Towing Company Links
    • Towing Company Sponsors
    • Towing Classified Ads
    • Towing Events
    • Towing & Utilities Forums
  • More
    • Dispatch
    • Explosives
    • HazMat
    • Lifeboat
    • Search & Rescue
    • U.S. Military >
      • Army
      • Navy
      • Air Force
      • Marines
      • Coast Guard
      • National Guard
      • Air National Guard
  • Forums
    • EMS Forums
    • Fire & Rescue Forums
    • Law Enforcement Forums
    • Towing & Utilities Forums
  • Info
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising >
      • Rate Page
      • Classified Ads
      • Links
      • Sponsorship
    • Resources
    • Disclaimer
    • State Listings
    • Site Map
  • Design
    • Website Design
    • SEO
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Hosting
    • Branding
    • Graphic Design
    • Printing
    • Signs and Banners
  • Blogs
    • Health Blog >
      • Mold Test Sale
    • Hub911 Blog
    • EMS Blog on Hub911
    • Fire Blog on Hub911
    • LEO Blog on Hub911
    • Towing Blog on Hub911 >
      • Positive Spin on Covid-19
      • COVID-19 and Isolationalism
    • PSA Blog
    • Hub911 Products Blog
    • Contests
    • Hub911 Recipies
  • Store
    • Service Animal Memorials
    • Contests
  • Print ID card
  • Parts Department Managment
  • New Page
  • New Page

Interview with Amanda of Respect Tow Truck Operators

8/10/2012

4 Comments

 
Picture
I am Amanda, a 23 year old girl from originally from Alberta, Canada now living in Chicago, IL. I was born into the world of trucking, and have been around it my whole life. I have always been considered a "tough girl". I worked besides my father in the shop, since he did all his own repairs on his trucks. I started learning how to drive semi trucks and front end loaders when I was 10 years old. When I was 17, I got a job as a heavy duty mechanic and happily worked fixing heavy equipment for 3 years. When I turned 20, I started working in the towing industry. I quickly caught on and was towing my first vehicle in a day. I would juggle towing and dispatching. I recently moved to Chicago and am currently searching for a job in the industry again.

1. Please tell me about your organization.
Respect Tow Truck Operators was founded in 2009 by myself after I almost got hit on the side of the Queen Elizabeth Highway (Hwy 2), one of the most dangerous highway's in Alberta, doing a tire change on a vehicle. My eyes were opened up to how badly the industry needed a change. Respect Tow Truck Operators is run by myself and my best friend Meggin. We are solely out to change the towing industry. I have made it a goal in my life, and I have seen an incredible change from 5 years ago when I first was introduced to the industry!

2. Why is this cause important to you? Do you have a personal connection?
I personally came inches away from being hit and killed by a tractor trailer while doing a tire change. I also have been recently married into the industry, my husband has been a flatbed operator for numerous years.
Picture
3. Of all your work here at RTTO, what are you most proud of?
Everything! I never ever thought Respect Tow Truck Operators would get as big as it has. American Towman TV did a whole segment on myself and RTTO. I have Slow Down Move Over decals and merchandise for sale. I have a big website courtesy of TLC Media Productions. I have had the privilege of meeting so many wonderful people and tow companies.  I also would be no where without the 17,800 people who follow RTTO!

4. Thinking back on your work in the past year(s), were there any memorable moments? Perhaps a time when you got a little choked up?
Too many times to mention! I get a lot of people who thank me for the work I do and it blows me away every time. I enjoy the time I spend doing what I do for the towing industry immensely and I don't feel people need to thank me! I would have to say though the most memorable moment was being interviewed by American Towman TV. To this day I am still shocked that they wanted to do a story on myself and RTTO! I remember shaking so bad and trying to get my words together! I had so much fun doing it, and it really helped get the word out.

Picture
5. What keeps you going? What helps you get up every morning to do this work?
Towing is definitely in my blood now. I couldn't get out of the industry even if I wanted to. Just knowing that I have helped one person stay safe on the side of the highway or I have educated one person to slow down and move over for amber lights on the side of the road drives me to continue bringing awareness with Respect Tow Truck Operators. It all comes down to educating motorists on the laws out there protecting emergency vehicles. It is unbelievable how many do not know or understand the Slow Down Move Over Law.

6. If you could talk to donors and tell them why their support is important, what would you say?
I couldn't ever begin to explain how thankful I am for everyone's support! No one will ever realize how important the support I receive is in the making of RTTO. I only run it, everyone else gives me the motivation to keep it up!  I haven't ever asked for donations for Respect Tow Truck Operators, I keep everything running on my own.

7. What has changed since you first started? Is it harder, easier? How has the organization responded to that change?
There has been a lot of changes since I first started 4 years ago. All states now have some sort of Slow Down Move Over Law, we just have to work on getting all of Canada to adopt it then move on to hopefully making the law worldwide. Since march, we have gained over 4,000 members on Facebook and I find it to be somewhat harder now to do things like make sure the news is posted daily or keeping up on certain weekly activities I have started, but nothing that is too hard to handle for myself. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Picture
8. If you were able to sit down with Bill Gates and tell him why he should consider making a donation to RTTO what would you say?
Respect Tow Truck Operators is a huge part of the towing industry, and we do as much as we possibly can to protect each and every tow truck operator out there! Our next biggest step is taking RTTO into schools and educating children on the Slow Down Move Over Law and how it includes everyone. With this law, and the proper education, we can save more lives. Seeing how many tow truck operators and emergency works get injured or killed yearly because of people who refuse to slow down or move over makes me sick. I want to come home to my family just as much as everyone else in the towing industry. As of August 9th, we are at 22 tow truck operator deaths, which is unacceptable.


9. Can you tell us about a case in which RTTO made a difference?
I had a motorist message me and say how because of my page, she now knows to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles. She went on to say that when she see's flashing lights, she remembers Respect Tow Truck Operators and what it stands for.

Picture
10. Is there anything that I haven't asked you, that you would like to address?
We may be called Respect Tow Truck Operators, but we accommodate just about anyone whether it be dispatchers, other emergency workers, or just fans and motorists. We have different activities going on throughout each week such as Vintage Tow Truck of the Day, Truck of the Day, and Tow Operator of the Week. Very soon I will be starting up contests for Respect Tow Truck Operators merchandise. I also have been keeping a list of all the tow operators killed on the job since January 2012. Take a second to "like" us on Facebook www.facebook.com/respecttowtruckoperators, follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/RTTOfanfollow check out www.respecttowtruckoperators.com!


4 Comments

    Hub911.com

    Please tell us your story!

    Archives

    March 2020
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012

    Categories

    All
    2013
    911
    9/11
    Accident
    Amanda
    Anger In The Work Place
    Animals
    April Fools Day
    Auto Trans
    Bathroom
    Beer
    Being Chased By Car
    Briefcase
    Broken Wrecker
    Ca
    Cab Mess
    Cars
    Catch 20
    Catch 21
    Catch 22
    Changing Tire
    Chasing Car
    Claw
    Close Calls
    Clown Car Towing
    Commission
    Crash
    Datsun
    Dirty Shirt
    Dispatch
    Driving
    Drug Screen
    Drug Test
    Drunk Driving
    Eagle
    Emergency
    Emergency Disneyland
    Emergency Service Information
    Emergency Services
    Emergency Services Info
    Emergency Services Information
    Employee Drug Test
    Employees
    Employees Caring
    Employee Turnover
    Equipment
    Escape
    Fall Back
    Federal Building
    Finding Something Lost
    Fixing Your Truck
    Friends
    Frustration
    Funny Tow Story
    Gatecrasher
    Handle Angry Employees
    Harley
    Hate My Job
    Hib911.com
    Hiring Ems
    Hiring In The Towing Industry
    Hiring Nightmares
    Hiring Warm Bodies
    Hook And Book
    How To Motivate
    Http://www.essentialnow.com
    Http://www.hub911.com
    Hub911
    Hub 911
    Hub911.com
    Hub911.com
    Humor
    Impaired Driving
    Impound
    Impound Lot
    Info
    Information
    It's The Law
    Jobs Are Like Boats
    Kids
    Late
    Law
    Lazy Co-worker
    Lonely Road
    Lot
    Love Hate Relationship With Job
    Love My Job
    Luck
    Mad Customers
    Mad Man
    Management Difficult Employee
    Messy Truck
    Mi
    Motorcycle
    Municipal Contracts
    N
    Newsletter
    New Years Eve
    Nick Kemper
    Night
    Nissan
    Not Short
    Offended By Drug Test
    Oklahoma City Bombing
    Olds
    Painted Truck
    Paint Job
    Parking Violation
    Pets
    Police
    Police Tow
    Priceless
    Pride In Your Ride
    Professional Dress
    Respect Tow Truck Operators
    Restuarant Parking
    Road Party
    Rtto
    Runaway Car
    Sheriff
    Sherry Wood
    Shortcut
    Slow Down Move Over
    Spilling Pop
    Spring Forward
    Stolen
    Subaru
    Tactic To Cope With Anger
    The Hub
    Tickets
    Time Change
    Tire Friction
    Tires And Suspension
    Tow-agencies
    Tow Call
    Tow-company-managers
    Tow Crash
    Towing
    Towing And Equipment
    Towing Complaints
    Towing Mishap
    Towing Wrecker
    Towpartnow
    Tow Part Now
    Towpartsnow
    Tow Parts Now
    Towpartsnow.com
    TowPartsNow.com
    Tow Show
    Tow Truck
    Tow Truck Mess
    Train
    Trains
    Trick Or Treat
    Tricks Crossrails
    Trucks
    Uniform Compliance
    Vacation
    Vacationers
    Vehicle Owner
    Work
    Wreck
    Wrecker
    Wreckers

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.