Five Good Things: AT&T deploys rescue fleet in Hawaii

Cell sites have been restored in Upcountry Maui and the island of Lanai to provide connectivity to residents and first responders. The Lanai site is also helping to provide connectivity to Lahaina.

The FirstNet Response Operations Group continues to support public safety and FirstNet subscribers by deploying full-scale communications solutions. The portable cell site in Lahaina provides dedicated connectivity for first responders and wireless service for customers, as network capacity allows. This site also supports a nearby indoor Wi-Fi solution installed by the FirstNet team for public safety. Additional network assets support public safety in Wailuku, with more resources on the way to Maui.

Truck Driving Championships roll on

The American Trucking Associations' Safety Management Council kicked off the driving portion of the competition at the 2023 National Truck Driving Championships and Step Van Driving Championships at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Some of the industry's most elite drivers—418 men and women representing 49 states—are testing their professional knowledge, safe driving skills, and vehicle readiness awareness to see who will emerge as the 2023 National Truck Driving Championships Bendix Grand Champion.

The NTDC and affiliated state TDCs are considered one of the industry's largest and most effective safety programs. During the competition, each driver undergoes a written examination, pre-trip inspection test, and a driving skills test.

Known as the "Super Bowl of Safety," these annual competitions held since 1937 inspire tens of thousands of drivers to operate accident-free for the right to compete. This year's competitors have driven 674 million accident-free miles throughout their careers. Yesterday, drivers completed a written examination on rules and regulations. Today and tomorrow, drivers conduct a pre-trip inspection to detect vehicle malfunctions and then hop in the cab for a driving skills test where they are graded on their ability to operate a truck through a series of obstacles. 

"The energy here this year is off the charts," said Rodney Myers, NTDC chairman and VP of human resources at FedEx Freight. "This event is a culmination of a year's worth of hard work, training, and commitment, and now these drivers get to put their knowledge and skills to the test to see who will be crowned the Grand Champion."

"Safety is and always will be a core mission of ATA and our industry, and nothing exemplifies that commitment more clearly than this competition," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. "The men and women competing here this week have earned their place in trucking's pantheon, having logged hundreds of millions of accident-free miles. We celebrate their professionalism, passion, and dedication."

Finalists will be announced on Saturday morning, and a Grand Champion will be announced Saturday evening.

Transervice Logistics awards $10,000 in scholarships

Transervice Logistics, a provider of dedicated contract carriage and customized transportation solutions awarded four $2,500 scholarships to children of its employees for the 2023 fall term for the college of their choice.

The executive team at Transervice chose the winners based on their academic achievement, community involvement, and overall character. Applicants were also required to submit an essay about why they felt they deserved the scholarship.

"We consider our employees part of the Transervice family," said Gina Lydakis, VP of human resources. "Each winner exemplifies a strong commitment to their education and communities, and we are proud to be able to support the educational journey of these inaugural scholarship recipients."

The scholarship award recipients include:

• Nicoletta Boik is a nursing major attending Elmhurst University. She is the daughter of Kevin Boik, mechanic for Transervice's preferred service division servicing its customer Jewel Food in Melrose Park, Illinois.
• Alex Grzybowski is majoring in international relations and military attending Boston University. He is the son of Kelli Grzybowski, finance manager for Transervice's corporate office in Lake Success, New York.
• Anna Singh is majoring in engineering attending City College. She is the daughter of Naipaul Singh, foreman for Transervice's Maspeth service division servicing its customer Bimbo Bakeries in Queens, New York.
• Katie Lindeman is a medical major attending College of DuPage. She is the daughter of Thomas Lindeman, operations supervisor for Transervice's preferred service division servicing its customer Jewel Food in Melrose Park, Illinois.

Werner driver achieves 5 million accident-free miles

Werner Enterprises (No. 9 on the FleetOwner 500: Top For Hire list) has honored one of its drivers, Tim Dean, for reaching five million accident-free miles. Dean joins retired Werner driver Charley Endorf, as the second driver in company history to reach this milestone.

To honor his accomplishment, Werner will host a ceremony at its headquarters today in Omaha with Dean's family and Werner associates.

Reaching 5 million accident-free miles is a rare milestone. The average professional truck driver drives about 2 million miles throughout their career, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA). Driving 5 million accident-free miles is equivalent to driving around the world more than 200 times.

"Today, we have the pleasure of showcasing what greatness looks like in the daily work of the American professional driver. It's the accomplishment of waking up every day, working hard, and delivering goods that matter safely and on time to those who have entrusted us to do so," said Werner's Chairman, President, and CEO Derek Leathers. "We commend Tim for his contributions to Werner and the industry as a whole and are incredibly proud of him for his unwavering commitment to safety over the last 35 years. We look forward to Tim's continued success on the road as a professional driver, one safe mile at a time."

Dean joined Werner in 1988 and has received several accolades during his tenure with the company. In 2009-2010, he served as an ATA America's Road Team Captain and has been a Werner Road Team Captain and mentor since 2005. For 22 years, Tim has competed in the Nebraska Truck Driving Championships, placing first in his class nine times and earning Grand Champion recognition in 2012 and 2018. He was awarded the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance IDEA (International Driver Excellence Award) in 2019. In addition, Tim was named the Nebraska Trucking Association's Driver of the Year in 2019.

As of August 2023, Werner has 2,175 professional drivers who have driven one or more million accident-free miles, with 639 of those drivers actively in its fleet.

Highway Angel helps trapped family on roadside

The Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) has named truck driver Michael Rohn from Griggsville, Illinois, a Highway Angel for stopping to help the passengers of a van that crashed in front of him on the road. Rohn drives for Angie's Transportation out of St. Louis.

Rohn witnessed a van in front of him blow a tire and begin rolling one morning around 9:30 on Interstate 40 in Bowie, Arizona.

"I stopped and when I got there, the driver was a little dazed and confused," Rohn said. "We got her out, but another passenger was trapped, and they had a child that we pulled through the window."

Rohn tended to the injured passenger trapped inside the vehicle, keeping him calm until first responders arrived. Then, Rohn helped the first responders remove the male passenger from that van. He said five dogs were in the vehicle, each of which got out of the vehicle safely.

"If it was me, I'd want somebody to help me," Rohn said.