OTA Dispatch Issue 4, 2021

15 www.ortrucking.org Issue 4 | 2021 hand to congratulate these dedicated safety professionals. Graduates who successfully completed the program in 2020/2021 were: ` Lisa Conrad, Christensen ` Tony Lowery, Weyerhaeuser ` Connor Morrison, Space Age ` Spenser Murray , Big Foot Beverages ` Brisa Smith, Kool Pak ` Jared Vetkos, DTG Recycling For over 80 years, OTA has supported the safety efforts of Oregon’s trucking industry, developing required and supplemental training to assist carriers with meeting and exceeding their own safety goals. In 2015, OTA launched its Northwest Fleet Safety Certification Program that covers rules and regulations, as well as professional development. “This program focuses on both the fundamentals and the more personal aspects of developing not only a successful safety program, but also a successful safety professional,” offered Williamson. Graduates complete classes including Accident Investigation, Driver Qualifications, Drug & Alcohol, as well as Safety Culture, Conducting Meetings and Wellness—just to name a few. “Safety touches every aspect and area of the trucking industry,” commented Jarvis. “Our drivers and service technicians are highly trained, with dedicated safety professionals often setting the tone for the entire organization.” Graduates commit to meeting each month—usually at the OTA office in Portland—to tackle a different topic included in this unique curriculum created specifically for the trucking industry. The class of 2020/2021 became even more aware of safety as a global pandemic altered OTA’s regularly scheduled training programming. OTA trainers quickly adjusted to virtual meetings so class attendees did not lose momentum and could graduate on time. You can learn more about OTA’s Northwest Fleet Safety Program ortrucking.org/ nw-fleet-safety-certification or email safety@ortrucking.org. Classes for 2022/2023 are scheduled to start in May 2022.