It's tornado season again, seems like it happens every year at this time. And, every year at this time we like to share some information about tornadoes and how to protect yourself and your family if a tornado should strike.
The most important thing to know is that tornadoes can occur without warning. That is why it is important to be alert to changing weather conditions, and use both broadcast information and your own senses and experience to know when to take cover.
Tornado Watch
A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. In this case, you should be alert to changes in the weather and take precautions to protect you and your property.
During a Tornado Watch:
- Move cars inside a garage or carport. Keep your car keys and house keys with you.
- Move lawn furniture and yard equipment such as lawnmowers inside if time permits.
- Account for family members at home.
- Have your emergency kit ready.
- Keep your radio or TV tuned into the weather reports.
Tornado Warning
A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has actually been sighted. Tornadoes can be deadly and devastating storms, with winds up to 260 miles per hour. If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, seek shelter immediately!
There is little time for closing windows or hunting for flashlights. It is a good idea to know where things are, and to have an emergency storm kit already prepared.
Tornado Preparedness:
- Learn the warning signals used in your community. If a siren sounds, that means stay inside and take cover.
- Consider setting up a neighborhood information program through a club, church group or community group. Hold briefings on safety procedures as tornado season approaches. Set up a system to make sure senior citizens and shut-ins are alerted if there is a tornado warning.
- Put together an emergency storm kit including a transistor radio, flashlight, batteries and simple first-aid items in a waterproof container.
- Make a complete inventory of your possessions for insurance purposes.
- Conduct drills with your family in the home; make sure each member knows the correct procedures if they are at work or school when a tornado hits.
During the Tornado
The safest place to be during a tornado is underground, preferably under something sturdy like a workbench.
If there is no basement or cellar in your home, a small room in the middle of house -- like a bathroom or a closet -- is best. The more walls between you and the outside, the better.
If you are driving during a tornado
- Tornadoes can toss cars and large trucks around like toys. Never try to outrun a tornado.
If you see a funnel cloud or hear a tornado warning issued on the radio or by siren, get out of your vehicle and seek a safe structure or lie down in a low area with your hands covering the back of your head and neck; keep alert for flash floods.
Mail Bag
From: MES
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 7:16 AM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: Thank you for the newsletters
Keep up the good work in sending these timely messages. Although I am almost out of the field, I still enjoy reading the newsletters and so forth. I feel that truck drivers are still a long way from getting the respect that they rightly deserve, yet they contribute more than their fare share in the greatness of America. They are looked upon with an evil eye, and have very few friends in Washington.
All of that must change; there must be a way to halt all abuses that most truck drivers suffer from their employers. There must be a place where truck drivers can feel safe to vent their frustrations and make their voice heard without the fear of possible retaliations.
Editor: That's what we're here for! Thanks for writing.
The boss wanted us to plug the TruckDriver.com Facebook Page again, but we told him we had already done that a couple of times and that our readers were tired of hearing about it. Didn't seem to make much difference though.
PTDI Certifies/Recertifies Eight Truck Driver Training Courses in U.S. and Canada
The Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) is pleased to announce that two U.S. driver training programs and two in Ontario, Canada, have been added to the growing list of North American truck driver training schools offering PTDI-certified courses. Receiving initial course certification are Louisiana Technical College – Acadian Campus, Crowley, La.; All-State Career School, West Mifflin, Penn.; Ontario Truck Training Academy in Oshawa and in Peterborough, Ontario. In addition, Des Moines Area Community College/ Transportation Institute, Des Moines, Iowa; Professional Drivers Academy, Milton, Penn.; Northampton Community College Driver Training Program, Tobyhanna, Penn.; and KRTS Inc., Caledonia, Ontario, Canada, have received course recertification for five years.
“We are very excited and pleased to have earned PTDI course certification,” said Pat Miers, campus administrator/assistant dean at Louisiana Technical College – Acadian Campus. “LTC Acadian Campus is the only truck driver training program in the state of Louisiana with this credential. It’s another indicator of our college’s quest for excellence. I attribute this commendable achievement to the talent, hard work, and dedication of our Commercial Vehicle Operations instructors. This certification validates our commitment to providing a quality truck driver training program.”
Paul Bulick, director at All-State Career School, which serves the Pittsburgh market and beyond, believes “this PTDI certification separates us from the other four truck driver training schools in the area and gives my graduates a solid foundation.”
One of Bulick’s goals when he came onboard three years ago was to acquire PTDI certification. “We have over 100 students in our program right now, and we plan to add another 15 to 20 percent. PTDI will help us do that because it gives our program credibility and our students are becoming more aware of the benefits of attending a PTDI-certified course. We tell prospective students the PTDI story when they apply, and I know this impresses them.”
Tanya Cullaton, sales and marketing coordinator at Ontario Truck Training Academy in Oshawa, agrees that PTDI standards help prepare their students. “I go through insurance requirements with our students and explain that this training is only a stepping stone in their career. I tell them, ‘once you obtain your license, you will go on to a carrier who will give you additional training. If a carrier puts you behind the wheel without it, run in the other direction.’”
Ontario Truck Training Academy’s operations manager/owner, Yvette Lagrois, is an advocate for truck driving standards and works to promote the industry through job fairs and as a director with the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario. Both Lagrois and Cullaton are “very excited” about PTDI certification. “We hand out insurance documents that promote PTDI so that prospective students see the benefits and results in black and white,” Cullaton said.
It definitely sets us apart,” Bulick said of the PTDI certification. “While driving opportunities are still plentiful for well-trained students, I warn students that the overnight sensations are going to find it very difficult to get employment down the line.”
Last time around, in the TruckDriver.com Past Due Book Survey, we asked if anyone remembered their local library and if anyone visited anymore.
Here's what you told us:
How often do you visit your local library?
A few times per week…….13%
About once a week………..13%
Maybe once a month……...10%
Once every few months……10%
Hardly ever…………………27%
I never go to the library…….27%
Looks like libraries may be going the way of newspapers, that is to say they are going online. Check out the Library of Congress Blog.
Baseball season is under way and so is the TruckDriver.com Take Me Out to the Ball Game Survey.
Until next time, keep on truckin' and please drive safely.
Your Comments Are Always Welcome
We do like to hear from you and invite you to let us know how we can improve the e-Report. Please send your ideas and suggestions to: jobs@truckdriver.com
