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2022 PUBLIC SAFETY HERO AWARD WINNER

Jim Fouse, Fleet Manager, Burgmeier’s Hauling, Altoona PA is the lucky recipient of the $1,000 Grand Prize!

Jim Fouse started working as a laborer at Burgmeier’s Hauling just after graduating high school in 1987. Since then, he has steadily grown within the company, holding roles as driver, machine operator and Supervisor of Operations. When Jim started at Burgmeier, the company had 3 trucks and around 8-10 staff. Today Jim is responsible for the entire Burgmeier fleet of haulers consisting of over 100 trucks and numerous employees.

Under Jim’s leadership, Burgmeier has established such an impressive DOT road inspection safety record that the National Interstate recognizes Jim for his efforts. Providing Burgmeier with 35 years of service and dedication, Jim helps keep the organization accident free and helps improve the safety of everyone around him.

About Burgmeier

Burgmeier has long held a great CSA (Compliance, Safety and Accountability) rating (as low as 13%, which means only 13% of federal motor carrier trash haulers performed better). Such a great rating resulted in lower insurance rates and fewer road stops compared to organizations with higher CSA scores. Even today, with the addition of roadside maintenance inspections, Burgmeier still experience fewer road stops thanks to their exemplary reputation and commitment to safety.

As Jim points out: “Safety plays a big part in the operation of my trucks. I push my guys to keep their trucks safe. We are a local company with local employees. Our friends and families are on the streets where we operate. I never want to receive a call about a safety issue that caused grief to anyone –  my employees, family or a stranger.”

About the Safe Fleet 4th Annual Public Safety Heroes Program

Every year Safe Fleet asks Waste Haulers to reflect on those members of their team who demonstrate an incredible commitment to safety for the greater good of their colleagues, their organizations and the general public. Every year, Safe Fleet joins our Waste Hauler friends and customers in celebrating the work they do and the safety levels they aspire to on the job. And every year, we single out one person who best demonstrates:

  • road awareness and safety
  • quick thinking (e.g., whose actions avoided an accident and likely saved the life of a pedestrian or fellow motorist)
  • A long and consistent safety record

This year, entries were submitted from three countries; the United States, Canada and New Zealand. Jim Fouse was unanimously selected as this year’s winner of choice.

Congratulations Jim and thank you for your incredible commitment to safety and service
Safe Fleet Waste & Recycling Public Safety Hero Winner

Pictured left to right: Matt Burgmeier, (Vice President) and Jim Fouse (Fleet Manager) of Burgmeier and Jaren Naef of Safe Fleet

What Jim says about the Safe Fleet, Smart Truck system:

“I like how the drivers can use the system to communicate maintenance concerns with us directly. Are parts needed, or should maintenance be scheduled to address an evolving issue? We use the live video streaming feature to see what’s happing in real-time on the trucks. This helps us coach and train our drivers and guide them through challenging customer calls and stops. The video footage the system captures is also really important to us for claim resolution. Video actually saves us a lot of money by defending against false claims. We are also able to use the system to see safety concerns in real-time. This functionality makes our fleet safer and more efficient.”

Stay Tuned for The 2023 Public Safety Hero Awards Contest Announcement

Past Public Safety Heroes

Public Safety Hero 2021 Winner

2021 Public Safety Hero Winner

Levy Lopez
City of Clovis, CA

Mr. Levy Lopez has an amazing safety track record as a residential refuse collection driver of over 14 years with zero accidents. This safety record is impressive on its own; however, Mr. Lopez has also demonstrated incredible consideration for others in single handedly offering safety and support to someone in great need. On a return trip from the landfill this past year, Mr. Lopez noted a car pulled off to the side of the road. The driver of the car appeared to be in distress. Mr. Lopez turned his waste vehicle around to check on the driver and discovered the driver was experiencing a heart attack. Mr. Lopez contacted 911 and remained with the driver until the ambulance arrived.

Ivette also wanted to commend Mr. Lopez for going above and beyond in ensuring someone else’s safety. “Mr. Lopez is an outstanding employee,” said Ms. Rodriguez. “His act of kindness shows that he will go out of his way to make sure not only the employees of The City of Clovis Solid Waste Department are safe, but also people in the community.”

The $1,000 Surprise

On December 1st, 2021, the big check was presented by Frank Flores, Strategic Account Manager, Safe Fleet to Levy. Per photo above, from left to right (all City of Clovis employees, except where noted): Glenn Eastes, Public Utilities Director; Levy Lopez, Senior Sanitation Operator; Frank Flores, Safe Fleet; and Ivette Rodriguez, Solid Waste Manager. With his prize, Levy treated his colleagues for lunch.

How The Winner Was Selected

Ivette Rodriquez, Solid Waste Manager, City of Clovis, submitted statistical data from their Safe Fleet® FleetLink™ reports to substantiate Levy’s safety record. Then the Waste & Recycling team chose Levy from various nominees across the country, where his data presented well in comparison to the others.

On behalf of Safe Fleet Waste & Recycling, we would like to thank Mr. Levy Lopez for exemplifying what it means to be a Public Safety Hero.

2020 Public Safety Hero Winner

Shawn Danielson
City of Minot

Shawn Danielson was nominated by Ray Neuhalfen with the City of Minot Sanitation Department for demonstrating exceptional road awareness and safety driving habits. With a proven history of the longest and most consistent safety driving record in the City of Minot.

Danielson had worked in the City’s sanitation department for six years, and has had an impeccable safety record, according to City of Minot Sanitation Superintendent Josh Kraft.

“Shawn is an exceptional driver who takes great pride in doing his job in the safest, most efficient ways possible,” Kraft said. “He’s earned this recognition through hard work, and we thank him for his continued dedication to the residents of Minot. residents of Minot.”

The $1000 Surprise

On the evening of November 16th, 2020 during a live City Council meeting, and an audience filled room following social distancing rules, Mr. Danielson was called to the podium by Mayor Shaun Sipma to receive his big $1000 check along with a very special mayor’s coin. You can watch this in the video below.

How the Winner Was Selected

Our FleetMind team had a tough time selecting the winner knowing 2020 had been hit hard with the challenges of COVID-19, drivers of waste collection industry dealt with added pressures to ensure our communities and neighborhoods were kept safe and clean.

Sanitation Foreman, Ray Neuhalfen submitted data using FleetLink Reports proving details of Mr. Danielson’s exceptional records showcasing road awareness and safety driving habits. After carefully reviewing all the nominees data records, we knew Mr. Danielson was the big winner.

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2019 Public Safety Hero Winner

Kyle Schmidt
City of Dickinson

Kyle Schmidt had been working as a driver for the City of Dickinson for 7 years. Kyle had a proven track record for having the fewest incidents when compared to his colleagues, all the while having put in the most hours.

He was recognized by Rachel Shumaker, Recycling and Collections Coordinator at the City of Dickinson’s Recycling Department.

“Kyle is someone who is reliable, honest and his continuous display of positivity while he is on the job.”

The $1000 Surprise

Kyle Schmidt, from the City of Dickinson in North Dakota was recognized as their first annual 2019 Public Safety Hero Campaign Grand Prize Winner during a City Commission meeting on November 5th, 2019.

City of Dickinson, Sanitation Department Team
“Mr. Schmidt stood out from the rest of this year’s nominees, as the best example of safe driving behavior,” said Frank Flores, FleetMind’s Regional Account Director. “I was extremely excited to present the award to Mr. Schmidt in front of City Council in recognition of his stellar driving record and commitment to safety.”

How the Winner Was Selected

During the campaign, FleetLink™ users boosted their use of FleetMind’s leading route management and safety platform to help empower their drivers and reinforce positive driving behavior.

The winning submission used the FleetLink back office software to extract and submit the driver’s scorecard, as well as his performance report, as proof of his safety track record.

Many other nominees sent in FleetLink camera system recordings of drivers using quick judgment to avoid collisions, as well as dashboards and reports showcasing some of their safest drivers.

Watch Video >