Well the following week Joe started work or should I say DR Joe; it appears that a number of the trips that have been made to test out how Joe would perform.
Over the next few weeks, everything settled down and it turned out Brent was correct in his assessment that this was the way to go and therefore expanded the idea to another camp.
When Joe started this job, his mate Sam was rather pissed off that it was not him doing this job; however, it was Jack my assistant that put him right by saying as soon as you get a dirt bike you will be next in line for a similar job.
Sam now listen please; John had no knowledge of this new idea until Brent talked to him and said what he was thinking of implementing, further more Brent is also on the board of the Distant Learning so he has access of everyone's school marks.
I have no idea how you are doing in that area but I strongly recommend you make sure you keep your marks up. I can assure you it was not a case of being the boss's son got him the job.
Sam says I honestly thought it was because Joe was John's son. I know John was as surprised as you so as I said just keep your nose to the grindstone school wise as I know you are doing very well working at whatever job is thrown at you and that you have gained a lot of respect from the crew.
Later that week Sam meets up with Joe and says I have to apologize to you as I thought since you were John's son you got the job of dispatch rider however it was Jack that explained why you got the job. I hugged Sam and said no problems I would have felt the same as you.
Joe how are you working this in with your school work, I laugh and said easy I still get up at the same time as John we have breakfast together, John goes to work I go back home and get stuck into my school work and generally I'm finished by midday, so what time are you getting up 5:30 am and start school about 6:45 am and actually I find I can think better in the early morning so everything moves along quickly.
Sam has gone very quiet as he is thinking; you know Joe I'm going to try that after all we have to get up at that time when we are working and it will make it easier for Mum doing the breakfast as Dad and I can eat together, thanks for that tip I just hope it helps me get my marks up Dad has said he will not allow me to have a bike until I've got at least 80% all the time.
The three month experiment that Brent setup has worked well and he wants to continue this way of working. Now Joe has been using his own bike and getting paid for the use of it, however if we continue then the company needs to buy there own bike.
Brent contacted Jack; John's assistant and made arrangements to come up to camp but indicated he didn't want John or anyone else to know. He also said it will make a nice change get back into working clothes with my boots and hard hat. Can you meet me at the log helicopter pad for 2:00pm that way we shouldn't be heard landing and taking off. No problem Brent and by the way I have a spare bed you can use at my place.
I picked up Brent and yes he did look a lot different as he had not shave for several days. Told him where the crews were working and said there is a road on the other side of the valley where you can watch the activities; this is also a good spot to see the road. I have my field glasses so you can get a close up.
Suddenly the radio becomes active on the working channel DR Joe entering mainline heading out DR passing call point 2 anything coming my way, Truck 3 just departing loading area keep in touch DR safe riding mate. DR passing call point 3.
Truck 3 passing call point 4 -- oh dam my brakes are failing. DR stopped and got off the road.
DR Joe with an emergency report Truck 3 has passed me at one hell of a rate I'm turning around to check on things -- out
DR Joe Truck 3 is off the road need ambulance -- out
Brent says lets get over there right now -- DR reporting driver alive but loosing blood carrying out emergency first aid, will need the crane or cutting torch to get driver out of cab -- out
Ambulance entering main line with two first aid folk on board -- out
AS on route entering from upper end of mainline -- out
The driver is got successfully out of the cab and transported back to camp. Kia has already prepared the gurney and has his gear all ready.
DR on route to mechanics and will return via the valley main line.
Joe gets to the mechanics and gives them there parts, there were two truck drivers at the loading area they come over to me they hug me and say thank you for helping our mate Ken like that.
Now Joe sit down and get your wind, here have some of this it's straight tea with some sugar in it. Joe gets on his way takes his time and arrives in camp and grabs a large mug of tea and sits outside in the sunshine.
Very shortly he hears a helicopter and in lands in the yard, the truck driver is moved out and put aboard plus one of the first aid people and takes off promptly.
John sees me and comes over and asks how do you I feel Joe, OK it's just sinking in, well done Joe I'm proud at the way you handle yourself. Then Jack shows up with his visitor, we were across the valley watching operation and listening to all the radio traffic before the accident and we heard everything that went on.
Radio communications were excellent clear and concise; Joe keep up that good work and from what I here already you most likely saved that mans life.
Brent says, John please take Joe home we both know there will not be any work until that truck is unloaded and pulled back on the road and I think Joe needs his Dad at times like this.
Well I did go home stripped off and then realized I had blood on my overalls so threw them into a large bucket of cold water to soak, got my other gear off and headed for the shower. By this time Dad was home and he joined me in the shower scrubbing me well down and that sure felt good.
I think I need a good haircut one stage shorter if you have time and I also want my privates trimmed down, how come? I get sweaty there with my riding gear on in this warmer weather. Just lets go outside and I'll do it right now and then you can do mine afterwards.
We had just completed all the haircutting when the phone goes, Brent is enquiring how I'm doing Johns answer like a professional, why don't you and Jack come on over we are having a stiff Rum and Ginger and I also have some beer, we are out the back see you shortly.
Five minutes later they show up and John does the honors with drinks so John says how did you slip into camp unseen. I flew in to the helicopter log loading pad and Jack meet me there and I came in my old working clothes so as not to be recognized. You bugger says John laughing, Brent's comment I never expected such a show as we had today. I have already spoken to the hospital and they confirm Ken has two cracked ribs and the blood loss was not as bad as expected, they will keeping him under observation for at lease a week and then hopefully home to recuperate with his family.
That brings me to something I meant to talk about some time ago and that is the use of dog tags, the plan is for everyone to be issued with one it will have the company name and the wearers name followed with a bar code that will have all essential medical information including blood type, home address and phone numbers and any other personal info that is considered essential. The size would be similar to the military dog tag and come complete with a neck chain.
This idea originates from Workman's Compensation and is fully support by the medical folk. The hospitals and most doctors' offices already have readers.
John, Jack and Joe what do you think. John and Jack both say it could be hard to implement so a good selling job will have to be done.
Joe would you wear your tag if issued? Yes I would and I would have a space where a first aid Id could be attached with year of expiration. I like that idea Joe says Brent. Well guys thanks for the input, I'm going too cleaned up and will see you all at supper.
Joe gets on washing his coveralls making sure the blood has come out once done they go on the clothes line.
Well it's supper time lets head over to the cookhouse and as we walk in the crew there all get up and call out thanks DR for looking after our mate, come on over hear you ugly little bastard. Joe gets hugs from everyone there. As this is going Jack & Brent enter and they see what is going on, a great big smile is on there faces. Suddenly Kia is banging on his frying pan guys please clear the center table for John, Joe and there guest.
There was very prompt action on the request, we sat down and Kia comes over and says I have your favorite especially for you tonight and what would you guys like. John asks do you have enough steaks for all sure do so how would our guest like his steak medium please.
Brent says I plan to have a closer look at the accident to-morrow morning, and then we should bring all the crews in two hours early give time to cleanup and then meet in the cookhouse for a safety meeting.
Brent is looking over the damaged truck and spots the main brake line is split, he takes photos of what he sees and thinking to himself why there is no protection for that hydraulic line? While there the last of the logs has been salvaged by a self loading truck that had to back down the hill. Brent asks the driver if there are any other trucks up at the loading area he says yes. Can you give me a ride up there please, sure thing. The other drivers were not there, however the loader operator is and he asks him to place his grapple on the first truck as he is going under to look at the hydraulic lines. Brent finds a similar situation, he then moves over to the other truck, this one is different as the line is protected, and more photos are taken.
Brent says thanks to the operator and starts to walk back down the hill, he hears a truck coming his way, and it's the operator in his pickup and says to hell with walking that a long way jump in and soon at the accident scene. The operator turns around and returns up the hill before Brent can say thank you.
Once at camp Brent goes and see Jack and tells him what he has seen. Oh! We had better go and see our master mechanic Don. They head over to the shops and spot Don and say lets go over to your office please as I would like you to check some records.
Firstly truck 3 the one that lost its brakes yesterday, has any work been done on the brake hydraulic lines, we have had to replace the flex lines on the rear that all when and where did we get that truck from? The auction 3 years ago when ABC folded in fact we got all three from there. Would you look at the records for the other trucks; nothing listed other than flex hoses. OK hope you can see this but truck 3 you see that split in the hydraulic line and look also where it is located #2 is the same but number 1 the line is here so it is protected.
Please go out now and have a look at all these trucks and I will come with you as we will have to go valley main and up and around, Jack said he was coming as well just let me get my coveralls on they are in my truck.
Don is shocked at what he sees and says it's a wonder these hasn't happened before, Brent says I suspect #1 was modified look at what was one and endeavor to do the same or better on #2. I personally think this was the cause of the accident and I would like your thoughts once the truck is back in the shop. #2 truck will have to be fixed out in the bush we cannot let that run until that is fixed.
Thanks for showing me what you found much appreciated, well Don I'm sure you would have spotted this anyway. Don ask incidentally may I ask who you are, Brent starts laughing, Jack cut in and says this Brent; Johns' boss from town. Well I be dammed nice to meet you and it's nice to see a guy in decent clothes who doesn't worry about getting dirty. Well Don I worked in the woods at one time and always enjoy getting back in there -- see you later.