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Recovery Operators get Organised |
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In 1975 (and perhaps before) a number of recovery operators, talked about forming some sort of ‘Union’. or Association During 1976 National Breakdown held a meeting of their agents (attended by some 125 companies), and the topic was raised again.
The Institute is largely responsible for the very high standards practised in the in recovery industry today and anyone suffering a vehicle breakdown, owes a great debt to the many individuals who have worked so hard to make it happen. You can read more about their evolution on the 'Training' page. The other ‘Trade Organisation’ that can trace its roots back to the mid eighties is the RRRA (The Road Rescue Recovery Association). It was formed out of a meeting between Peter Cosby, Pete Newman and Dave Weeks (who would later form the short lived Guardian, Kent based vehicle builders). RRRA was born out of a perceived desertification with AVRO and in this writers mind (and with the aid of hindsight), irrevocable weakened the industry, which never again had the 'clout' it had when it was a single trade organisation. In the nineties a 'London only' organisation was formed called LARO (London Association of Recovery Operators). The long established Road Haulage Association, also now has a ‘ Rescue and Recovery division’, thanks largely to the tireless efforts of that great character and friend of all in the industry - Richard Goddard. Lastly the equipment manufactures have their own association called REMSA (The Recovery Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers Association) whose job it is to set high standards for the equipment the industry uses. REMSA also deals with arbitration between members and their customers. Under then Chairman Chris Jones REMSA pioneered the idea of an 'All Industry' trade show, which in 2003 became The European Tow Show. This annual event is managed by two very old hands from the industry (now both retired from the front line) Frank McAllister and Roy Jones No section on the 'Associations' would be complete without mention of the ill fated Recovery Industry Focus Group. Largely the brain child of Chris Macgowan and David Ebsworth, it was launched on the 16th of July 1997 at the Puckrup Hall Hotel Tewkesbury and was embraced by nearly all that attended.
The attendees included all the Motoring Clubs plus AVRO, IVR, LARO, REMSA,
RMIF, RRRA and various Police forces. For a number of reason (some think
mostly political), the initiative failed and the idea was banished to the
history books.
Charities The next to be formed was the AVRO Benevolent fund started around 1984, to give a more tailored form of long term support, specifically for the Recovery Industry. This organisation has over the years helped many recovery operators and their staff, through some very difficult times. The third and youngest is RISC (the Recovery Industry Support Charity). The Charity was created in 2005, not as a challenge to other Benevolent Funds, but to complement them. It offers immediate financial support as soon as possible after any incident, to the operator or his family.
With far too many many recovery operators been killed or injured on our
roads each year, all these charities need your support At the very least, when you next see a
recovery vehicle working on a hard shoulder (or worse a country lane), slow down and give him a wide berth.
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Site Copyright Andy Lambert Email:- Click here to return to main page |
