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Globalstar Phone Saves 10 Hours in Truck Accident Rescue Mission:
John Podolsky / Owner and Operator, Podolsky Inc.
On February 5, 2001 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, two trucks collided. One of
the drivers was injured and the collision took place approximately 4
1/2 hours away from the nearest northern community. The roads in this
region are designated winter roads and look like wide snowmobile
trails. While the roads do accommodate heavy equipment and vehicles,
they are only wide enough for a two trucks to pass narrowly.
The driver of the undamaged vehicle used a Globalstar satellite phone
to call the owner of Podolsky Inc, the trucking company who owned both
of the involved vehicles, who in turn contacted the RCMP and commenced
the rescue operation. The RCMP said that the use of the Globalstar
phone shaved at least 10 hours off the rescue time, if not more.
Podolsky just had a feeling about the use of Globalstar satellite
phones. He had been using mobile phones and VHF radios prior to the
Globalstar system and found these systems to be unreliable. He only had
the Globalstar system for a couple of weeks, but nonetheless, Podolsky
Inc. is not using mobile phones or VHF radios anymore.
The Globalstar satellite phone allows Podolsky to be in touch with his
drivers all of the time and Podolsky is able to talk to his drivers in
remote areas and during dangerous driving conditions. This not only
ensures the safety of the driver, but also allows for Podolsky to relay
information about the road conditions. John Podolsky affirms that
"Globalstar is a good communication device for winter road crews and
reaching drivers in between communities. It helps to communicate
schedules for and help coordinate the unloading of vehicles in northern
communities. It is extremely helpful in the northern regions and native
communities, where phones are not readily available."
"Above all the Globalstar system has demonstrated that it can save lives, which any business knows is the Number 1 priority."
At this time, the driver is recovering from a serious arm injury at
home with his wife, and the driver of the other truck stayed behind to
assist in the cleanup and recovery. Both drivers will be fine.
John Podolsky is the owner and operator of Podolsky Inc. Podolsky Inc.
was officially founded in 1974 and safety has been one of their primary
concerns since the inception of the business. Podolsky Inc. has 65
trucks in the fleet and haul primarily in the US and span most of
western and central Canada. In winter months a division of Podolsky
Inc. provides land access to a number of northern communities,
primarily in northern ON and MB. His company brings in supplies that
normally could only be brought in by aircraft and in the summer months.
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