Some of our team headed down to Peterborough last weekend to represent the company at the latest Truckfest! Stuart Caldow, Glen Patterson, Glen Wilson, Owan Patterson and Steven Wylie all attended the show. They took with them two of the new DAF units and our popular Scania.
Stuart was successful in picking up a highly commended award. Well done everyone.
Fire and Rescue Heavy Rescue Operator Training
Currie solutions were involved with the latest Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Heavy Rescue Operator course training at the Garroch Loaning Training Centre in Dumfries. We supported the local service by providing truck, trailer, driver and a live casualty.
Over 27,000 people were killed or seriously injured in the UK during 2017 due to road traffic accidents therefore our rescue services need to be kept up to date with the latest features in our vehicles and develop the skills needed to deal with these situations.
Instructors; Crew Manager Tony Reid, Crew Manager Chris Gracie, Crew Manager David Boyd, Crew Manager Pete Melville and Watch Manager Brian McClauchlan led the course. The training involved setting the scene where a car had driven into the side of the trailer and managed to be wedged underneath the trailer bed. On arrival the unit assessed the casualties and completed a 360 walk round of the vehicles and surrounding area. The officer in charge then asked team one to stabilize the car and team two to stabilize the truck and trailer. This involved using blocks to stop any suspension movement whilst working on the vehicles and recuing the casualties. Our own driver Neil Robertson also offered the option of lifting the suspension. The team then began procedures to safely remove the casualties from the vehicle. This included using hydraulics to remove the doors, lift the front dash and remove the roof to remove all 3 casualties who were trapped within the car safely.
Instructor Pete Melville explained what key information HGV drivers can assist with in an accident similar to this:
Tony Reid from the Fire and Rescue Service trainee and employee development department thanked the company for their help with the training. He explained that it was vital for the team to have access to hands on training so they can understand how these vehicles work and how to deal with such situations if/when they arise efficiently and effectively. By familiarising themselves with the vehicles they are able to isolate areas and also stabilize the situation quicker.
Kirstie Aitken from Currie Solutions actively took part as a live casualty where she was freed from the car and aided onto a board for paramedic treatment if needed. She explained that “even though it was role play, you still felt a little nervous within the mock situation. The team worked professionally and made me feel at ease, talking through what they were doing. They worked in a sensitive but competent manner.”
This was the last of the local courses which has seen 31 local personnel learn and develop new skills to be utilised in real life scenarios.
Stevie is the longest serving member of our team and has been an asset to the growth of Currie Solutions. He has worked within the office as European Transport manager and on the road across the UK and Europe as one of our long distance drivers.
He is well liked and appreciated by our customers and colleagues alike.
The Board of Directors thanked Stevie for his loyalty and work over the years. Allan Jamieson, Operations Director said:
“Stevie has been a valuable member of our team throughout the years. He has always been reliable, friendly and a team player who will be missed within the business”
On speaking to Stevie we asked what kept him in the job for so many years:
“European driving became my lifestyle as over the years I could be away for up to 3 weeks at a time across countries such as Russia, Scandinavia and the rest of Eastern Europe. I got to travel the length and breadth of Europe and I was always made welcome, met new friends and enjoyed the independence across there.”
After receiving his gifts from the company he expressed his gratitude
“I never expected to receive something as often people are forgotten in big companies such as this.”
Before leaving his truck for the last time, Stevie shared memories from the early days, the 24hr border crossings into Poland, his ice road trucker travels over the Alps in -40 degrees to the infamous Calais crossings and the day before digital.
Not many people know this but he once wrote a book of his travels for his children’s school, we hope that his retirement allows him to create a part 2!
