Back when people could congregate at conventions, they identified themselves with badges around their necks or stickers on their shirts.
Terry Kolacki is bringing back the old tradition.
In an effort to inject a little levity into yet another “online experience,” Superior Bulk Logistics’ environmental, health, safety and sustainability director donned a classic name tag from a previous National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) event for the Safety and Security Council meeting held during virtual Tank Truck Week 2020.
Kolacki, the council’s national chairman, also put on the same brown jacket he wore while celebrating the Outstanding Safety Performance Award, aka Heil Trophy, he helped GLS Transport secure in 2016, as seen in a photo displayed during the meeting.
“It still fits me,” Kolacki joked. “I guess that’s a good thing, too.”
The industry veteran was joined by regional chairs Jerry Curl (Midwest) of G&D/Hoffman and Lance Hagler (Western) of Trimac—whose companies claimed the top North American Safety Contest prizes for 2019—and Eastern chair Amy Kruntovski of Gorski Bulk Transport in an abbreviated update on the group’s work.
NTTC’s Safety & Security Council Annual Meeting originally was slated for June 16-18 in Biloxi, Mississippi. Kolacki said a key item on the agenda was managing the ever-increasing amount of electronic data inundating operations. “This is something that we’re all seeing—tons and tons of camera video, hard-braking events, speeding events—and how do you handle all of this data?” he said. “What do you do with it, and when do you get rid of it?”
The council also planned to discuss centralized training, and effective ways to educate drivers and mechanics on best practices; revamping NTTC’s Zero Distractions campaign to increase adoption; data breaches in transportation, which are a growing cybersecurity concern; post-accident procedures; the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse; and driver fatigue management.
Many of those topics will carry over to the 2021 meeting in late June, he said.
Kolacki also updated virtual attendees on NTTC’s educational efforts and upcoming event schedule, wished a longtime Groendyke safety professional a happy retirement—and warned that carriers must continue to advise their drivers to be careful on the nation’s roadways, where speeds and accidents are up and enforcement is down, due to COVID-19, and social unrest is sparking protests and street closures.
“We have to be in tune with the news for all the protesting that’s going on,” Kolacki said. “A lot of the state-wide trucking groups have done a great job in passing on closures of highways, and things of this nature. But the last thing we want our drivers to do is get involved in a protest. Nothing good is going to come of that.”
Educational efforts
Kolacki and Maggie Walsh, NTTC’s manager of education and regulatory compliance, shared feedback gleaned from regional safety meetings regarding new topics to explore through Tank Truck University (TTU) programs, and ways in which the association can bolster its efforts in industry advocacy and education.
Key takeaways included:
- Eastern region—NTTC must spread the word that TTU webinars are included with association membership.
- Midwest region—Members need more information on advocacy, and greater awareness of priorities, including securing a 10% axle tolerance for dry bulk trailers, doing away with stopping requirements for tank trucks at highway-rail grade crossings, and allowing the use of electronic shipping papers for hazmat haulers.
- Southern region—The association should explore ways to celebrate tanker drivers year-round.
- Western region—Carriers need increased access to industry best practices and training manuals, including segment-specific training for transporting food products or dry bulk, which are a key benefit of NTTC membership.
Upcoming schedule
The Winter Membership & Board Meeting, originally set for Palm Springs, California, is moving online for a virtual presentation Jan. 20-22.
As of November, the Call on Washington still was planned for March 8-10, 2021, at the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C., and the Annual Conference & Exhibits still was set for May 2-4, 2021, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront in San Diego, California, though nothing is assured during the ongoing pandemic.
“I am very hopeful—and I would like to say it’s a guarantee but obviously it is not—that May 2-4 in beautiful San Diego, California, at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, we’ll be hosting our 2020-21 Annual Conference,” said Ryan Streblow, NTTC’s interim president.
The association plans to reveal the latest winners of its North American Safety Contest, and the Professional Tank Truck Driver of the Year, during the annual conference. Applications for the safety contest open in January and close in February. The driver of the year will be selected from the eight 2019-20 finalists, who were carried over to 2021 after COVID-19 forced NTTC to cancel its 75th anniversary conference.
Happy retirement
Kolacki wished a happy retirement to Groendyke safety manager Mike Elmenhorst, NTTC’s 2018 Safety Professional of the Year for the Harvison division. Elmenhorst helped Groendyke secure two of its record eight Heil Trophies.
“Mike has helped us set industry best practices on how to keep our drivers safe, protect the motoring public and safeguard our customers’ products,” Kolacki said.
