Welcome one and all the Toe Professional on the Go Podcast. Remember, this is your podcast. It's for the first that have a need to know that are on the go. It is truly the voice of the throwing industry. I'm DJ Harrington, the co-host, better known as the Toe Doctor, and the real host of this program is the president and publisher of Toe Professional Magazine, my dear friend and a friend of the industry, Darren Weaver. Darren, how are you?
Speaker 2:DJ, I'm fantastic. Thank you so much for such a warm introduction. You make me sound better every time. Man, it's a great day here in Birmingham and I'm excited. Our guest on today has been a mover and a shaker in the training industry and working in legislation across the nation, and one that we've certainly been wanting to get on here and hear the story. So I'm excited. Today our guest are Steve and Craig, our president and VP of Urskine, and gentlemen, I'm not even going to try and pronounce the last names. I'm from Alabama and it doesn't allow me to do that, so I'm going to leave it up to you. But I'm going to let DJ start us off and ask a little bit and then I'll have you guys weigh in, because I know our listeners are excited about this and they want to know more about your programs, train the Trainer and your legislation everything you guys are doing in the industry. So, dj, I'm going to let you start us out here. I'm excited about this one.
Speaker 1:So actually Craig. His last name is Baker, so it's easy.
Speaker 2:Oh, craig's easy, now he's got me.
Speaker 1:I just was going to bail out from there. But I'm going to tap out and Urskine has done so much for our industry and has really been a big part of the industry. So, craig, if you'd be kind enough you're the president tell us a little bit about your background and then pass the ball to Steve and let Steve tell us a little bit about his background and then I'll ask the first question.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, and thank you, gentlemen, for having us on this. This is a great opportunity for us to speak on behalf of the essentials of training in our industry. So my name is Craig Baker. I am the current president of Urskine. I come as first generation TOWER. I started back in 1984 with my business and currently the second generation is running the show for the most part, so I'm semi-retired. I love the industry, have grown up with it and just really look forward to the next chapter in my career, as the president of Urskine Got you.
Speaker 1:And.
Speaker 2:Steve, how about you? Well, let's first make sure everybody understands my last name.
Speaker 1:It's.
Speaker 2:Sparlato and it's Italian, so you'll never forget it now. Yes, it's very similar to Craig. I grew up in the industry. My dad started the business out of a gas station in 1957. I've got three older brothers and we always wanted to be a part of it. So when my dad retired in 1990, he sold the business to us. I started working for him in 1986. Craig and I have known each other since the mid-80s and, like Craig, I love the industry. It's why he and I volunteer so much for the association that we're in, because we want to leave it in better shape than when we came in.
Speaker 1:Exactly right. That's the right philosophy, and you people have been doing that. Erskja has a great name. So let me ask, and please tell all our listeners, tell us a little bit about Erskja's history and why you even started to begin with that.
Speaker 2:Erskja actually, in the very beginning, started out as UCMCS United Coalition for Motor Club Safety back in February of 2012. It was started by a group of towers in Northern California who had some issues with a motor club and we came together, pulled our resources and we started this association. As that issue resolved itself, we then looked at the scope of the industry and said, okay, what can we do now? And we understood that the name of UCMCS really narrowed down to motor club operators and we wanted to go broader. So, brainstorming, our president at the time, I believe, dan Chulabar, came up with the help of the board, came up with the name change to Erskja and we as owners anybody who's listening, who's an owner of a tow company, knows that gut feeling of anticipating the day that that phone call is going to ring and you're going to be told you lost an operator. Fortunately, I have not experienced that. Unfortunately, on Steve's behalf, he and his company and family had had that horrible experience of experiencing it. So we knew at that point we really wanted to focus in on training Our best assets and our and our companies, our employees, and we have to do anything and everything we can to keep them safe. At the end of the day. So we understood that training is the core of our industry and without training we would probably experience a much higher injury rate or death. So we really took the bull by the reins and charged forward with training to where we are today and we're continuing to expand. The future looks very bright and we're very excited about where we've come from and where we're going.
Speaker 2:You don't mind, I'd like to add to that. You know when we started in California Northern California specifically that's where Craig and I are. You know we've been involved with the California tow truck Association for years prior to starting the coalition, and you know we've had a very collaborative relationship with them. As a matter of fact, you know the training that we use was the foundation from California tow truck Association. Of course we bring on Shane and we've been able to have staff and the board, you know, kind of enhance to be more relevant today. And I think it really speaks to the industry that at times can be fragmented, that we reach across the aisle, we work together as associations and we achieve what we can. That's going to be best for the industry. It really is a terrific story when you think of it in that way, because it has not been an easy climb for us, but we're so happy that we put the work in.
Speaker 2:I can agree more, steve, with you and Craig. I mean that's the from the first time I've talked with you to so we had our conversation on the phone together I really saw the passion in your heart and the zest and desire to make this a safer industry and to not just be in the industry but to benefit the industry you're in. And that's what drew me to you, guys, and that's what I hear when I talk to others in the industry about the training programs you're putting on is your passion for the industry. But well, guys, let's take a quick break here from our sponsors and when we come back, we're going to have more great information from our president, craig Baker, and Steve Salado with the Urska program, and we're going to talk more about training and the levels offered. Don't leave, guys, you're going to want to hear more of this. We'll be right back.
Speaker 4:For over 50 years, Jordan has defined towing and recovery industry standards for performance, reliability and service. Jordan offers an extensive range of light, medium and heavy duty records, carriers and rotators. Each truck offers superior engineering for strength and stability, reliability and versatility to exceed the expectations of a demanding industry.
Speaker 1:You have been listening to a professional on the go podcast. Each and every week. We bring you new and informative episodes like this one with Urska. Make sure you download and listen. We're available on Spotify, iTunes, Pandora, Google Play, Stitcher, iArtMedia, Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts. And before we took a break, Steve mentioned the name Shane. Well, he meant Shane Coleman, and I could be the president of his fan club, Steve, I think Shane is one of the best professionals in the industry and he's a real asset to Ersta. So, Darren, I'll turn her over to you.
Speaker 2:Man, dj. I couldn't second that enough when I first got in the industry. Shane was one that reached out to me when he was with Jerdan and said hey, I believe in you, keep knocking on the door, I can't wait to work with you. And then the relationship moved from there with Jerdan so phenomenal man and I know that's a tremendous hire for you guys and I know y'all feel the same way about him. But I did want to ask, when we're coming back from the bright here. I wanted to ask Steve, when did your national training program really take off with Ersta? Well, there were two pieces to that. You mentioned Shane, the hiring of Shane, and you guys know Shane is one of the most humble guys you'll ever meet. So when I pour it on as you did, he's going to feel uncomfortable.
Speaker 2:But I'm going to do it anyway because he's so important, such a key cog to the wheel of us really scaling this program. But it happened during the pandemic and it's so funny, we think, about three years ago and what we went through as a country. We in California in particular had to pivot very quickly because if you're going to tow for the Highway Patrol you've got to be trained, which is great, I love. I wish all states would do that. But everything was closed. We couldn't do in-person training.
Speaker 2:So as an organization we pivoted very quickly and built a virtual training program that continues today. It's a three-day course and that really got us not only in the state, got us some momentum outside of the state where other folks started using it and just from there it started to scale. Man, that's fantastic. So just through the quick thinking and ingenuity of ours, you were able to put a lot of these men and women back in the seats and back working during this time when the state was trying to shut everything down Absolutely, and I got to give credit to the entire board. It was the vision of a couple people, but it was supported because it's what we needed to do to keep moving. And we're so passionate about training because we think there's a compliance issue with it, but, as Craig said earlier, it's such a safety issue and to be able to build that very quickly, we're very proud of it. Yes, and should be.
Speaker 1:Well, I want all our listeners. It kind of reflects how many times we've said we want our towers to kiss their loved ones goodbye in the morning and come home safe at night. And with EarthSkit it's the same philosophy. So what kind of different training levels are offered through Earth to right now?
Speaker 2:So we offer currently essentials of light duty and essentials of heavy duty and in right now the staff and Shane are building out a essentials of rotator training.
Speaker 1:Well, I'm going to ask this Are you going to go along, are you doing the train to trainer at the Ohio show?
Speaker 2:We have done that and currently we're up in Massachusetts doing the trainer trainer program and that that has been something that we had a vision in the beginning and it took a little while to launch. But it's been a big success for us because we have always felt that, you know, especially if we scale, you can't just continue to have Shane go out and do everything and there's a need for it. You know we talked to individuals, organizations in other states that said, hey, you know, I would like to go through this program just to do it with you know, in house internally. And so we saw that there was a need and we built this out and we currently have, through the trainer train train, the trainer program, we have 27 light duty trainers and eight heavy duty trainers over the last couple of years that have been trained.
Speaker 2:Man, that is fantastic. That is fantastic, DJ. Let's do this. Let's take a break here from another valued sponsor and come back and get some more information from Steven Craig here with us. Hang in there, guys, We'll be right back after this quick break.
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Speaker 1:You've been listening to Toe Professional On-the-Go podcast. Remember to like, review and share everywhere. If you want to have another industry expert, like the people from Erskine, by all means, we have a hotline number 706-409-5603. Let Dan and I know that if you have an industry expert that you want to hear on this podcast to go out to over 10,000 listeners, you just dial 706-409-5603 and Dan and I will make it happen. All right, Dan, I'll turn it over to you, my friends.
Speaker 2:Yes, sir. Well, I guess the next question I want to know from my listeners is can you tell us what states and organizations where your training programs have started to scale? Yeah, so, and I think I've got them all. If I missed anybody, please forgive me, but obviously, california, utah, texas, north Carolina, oklahoma, ohio, new Jersey, massachusetts, georgia and Michigan. Maybe those are the states that we have or are doing training in. That's fantastic.
Speaker 2:Well, guys, you're hearing this and they can be right there to you. You can get this training for your employees. And let me tell you, as the old saying goes well, what if I train them and they leave and got to work for my competition? Well, what if you don't and they stay? It's best to train them. So let's make sure you go with a quality program. And to find out more, you can go to irseorg, e-r-s-c-aorg, and they have a fantastic website that tells you how you can get involved with them in the industry. It tells you more about the training workforce, the training programs and all types of information. Dj, I'm going to turn this next one over to you, sir.
Speaker 1:Well, I know a lot of our listeners. Guys want to know a little bit about the legislative that you're working on and the advocacy programs that you're working on, because IRS has done a lot in the industry with this. So can you share with our listeners a little bit about that?
Speaker 2:Well, in September of 2021, you guys probably remember there was a Van Hollen amendment that was trying to get passed through the federal government and if it passed, what it would have amounted to was consensual towing would have been regulated. You know, that's a scary thing to the industry. Non-consensual towing in most states, including California, are regulated, and that's fine. We deal with the high-rib patrol on rates and it's a fair process. But consensual towing is something that scares us and scares a lot of people. That put us, you know, made us really look at it and make a decision to get into that arena. And look, I want to say how much we appreciate, you know, the long-standing establishment of TRA and the efforts that they do, and I hope they continue to do that. We are just another piece of that and, you know, hopefully one day we can put our efforts together. So what we did is created a legislative committee we have eight representatives over eight different states in the country and then we hired a federal lobby group and so we've been doing it now for a little over a year.
Speaker 2:Most of the money that we received in the beginning to pay for this was through donations and the board said look, we agree that we need to have this, but it has to be funded through donations and sponsorships. Hopefully, we put out, you know, efforts to try and get additional sponsorship money or donations for it. I would appeal to the listeners you can go to urskaorg. There's a donate button for that would go specifically to federal lads. If you're interested, please do it, because we think it's important to keep this going. The folks that are on this committee and Craig and I are two of them are just tremendous leaders in this industry. Many people, if I gave the names, would know who these folks are, and we want to be prepared, you know. As you know, in this industry things can happen very quickly and we tend to be reactive and not proactive, and I think this committee allows us to be proactive, that's the right word proactive, and then we need to be.
Speaker 1:If a person wants to donate, how do they do it again, share that with our listeners.
Speaker 2:They would go to urskaorg and on the homepage there's a donate to federal legislative button. They click on that and they could donate directly. They will go only to federal legislation funds.
Speaker 1:So it's earmarked just for that Correct Gotcha. Well, that's something that we need to cover Before we go any further. Can you tell us a little bit of what you guys are going to be doing at the Chattanooga show?
Speaker 2:Chattanooga is an opportunity that Steve and I are both going out.
Speaker 2:As we said earlier, shane is putting on a training class for rigging and Steve and I are going to take the opportunity to meet with some of our partners.
Speaker 2:We don't call them vendors, we call them partners because we truly believe they are partners in our industry and take the opportunity to touch base with that and introduce ourselves to other people that we haven't had that opportunity to interact yet. Because our name is growing, it is becoming more important that we do get out there and interact with the industry and let them know what we have to offer so they can get their employees trained and hopefully operating safer at the end of the day. And I'll just say Steve and I it'll be a little bit of reminiscing Steve and I back in the early days of UCM CS we did the toe show circuit and we had to boost there and we met a lot of people. The funny thing is I think our first show, if I'm not mistaken, was Chattanooga and people originally looked at us and thought we were selling insurance because of our name and everything. We've come a long ways to. People now know that we're not selling insurance, but we're trying to get the industry educated and safer.
Speaker 1:At the end of the day, you definitely have come a long way from Chattanooga.
Speaker 2:DJ, I'll tell you I'm excited to meet them in Chattanooga. We'll be headed we're already packing bags to go to Ohio, to the Midwest regional, and as soon as I get home from that, set the dogs and wave at the family, I'll be headed right back out the door for Chattanooga. So that's going to be an exciting week and also a week where we'll be there at the wall of the fallen, passing out the publication with the names on the front cover that's honoring our fallen in the industry. So in saying that to Craig Baker, president of ERSCA, and to Steve Scolato, vice President of ERSCA, guys, we can't thank you enough for what you're trying to do in the industry. I think you couldn't have said it clear enough that you're not trying to replace anything or overtake. I think it was just like me when I got in the industry. I just wanted to be a peaceable pie that could add value to the industry and add solutions, and that's all I was looking to do and make it a better place. And it sounds like ERSCA's right in that same spot, with a passion and a love for this industry and for not only the companies out there but every one of the owners and their employees. So we appreciate you guys for that. We certainly do Well, we very much appreciate what you guys do and we're thankful that you are having us on this to hopefully get information out there, for at the end of the day, the end user is the driver who's sitting in that seat in that truck to make sure that they come home to their family at the end of every one of their shifts.
Speaker 2:Could, could the Saturday better? And uh, guys, let's do this. Make sure you get your employees trained. Why not have one of the top trainers in the industry? Uh, train them for you? Urska's got them and uh, they've got the programs together. Train the trainers. So, inquire more. Make sure you go to urska, erscaorg, um, or go to uh training at urskaorg, or you can call the office number 916-617-2882. But make sure you reach out to them. Get your guys trained. Um, it will certainly um improve, uh, everything you do on a daily basis by getting them the industry knowledge they need when they go out there. Uh, dj, anything else before I close, sir.
Speaker 1:No, I think our listeners, this was a good one, just like you said, and this is. You know, craig and Steve have done a real asset to our industry and we're better off because Urska was created. So, without a doubt, and I'm behind the people that are there and, uh, I just wish everybody would participate with them- and without further ado. Is there anything else they need to say before they got off, though? Any?
Speaker 4:thoughts.
Speaker 2:Steve final words, I'm just looking forward to seeing you guys in Tennessee Awesome. Well, I will close. Dj Uh again. Listeners, I certainly appreciate every one of you for tuning in. Uh. If you want more information, give us a call on the hotline. Make sure, if you're out and about, stop by and see me in Ohio, the Midwest region will show up. I have a booth there. Also be Manning a booth and Chattanooga. Stop by and see us there. Or stop by the 10 at the international Tonga Hall of Fame Museum. We'll have the publication there so you can pick it up.
Speaker 2:With honoring the names of the fallen, the Lord will come to you today. We thank you for this industry. We thank you for our vendors in the industry, who are like family to us. We ask that you bless and increase and prosper them. Give them more knowledge so they can promote more safety in this industry. Definitely, father. We ask you protect our first responders throughout this industry. Get them out there to take care of our family members, to get them home safely and bring them back home to their family safely as well. We ask that you increase them and prosper them as well. We ask for all this in your precious name and listeners. So next time we hope you keep listening. Let us know what you want to hear next and we appreciate the great folks here at Urskia and get more information about train the trainer guys urskiaorg In choir, try it out. Get your guys trained to date. Until next time, keep listening.