For the first six months Sam & Joe do Dispatch Riding for the company and because there were two of them Joe became DR1 and Sam DR2 as there radio ids, Joe had obtained his driving license for both motorcycle and pickup truck. One day at work Jack, John's assistant ask Joe if he was willing to go into town and take some important papers to the office. Joe said no problem, Brent will be happy to see you. Take what ever you need for overnight as we don't want you riding back in the dark. Now don't loose this it's a company credit card this will cover any costs like motel, food, fuel etc. Make sure you have your radio and your cell phone. How long before you will ready to take off, give me 30 minutes. Just stop bye the office and I will give you the package.
I went home got my full motocross gear on, body armor and my DR boots, put my raingear and a tee shirt and jeans in a plastic bag all in my carrying box, slipped into my Hi-Vis overalls, filled up my fuel tank stopped bye the office Jack said use channel five. Approx three hours later I was in town and delivered the package to Brent.
Come into the office please Joe; Brent said I want to have some long discussions with you so would you please stay at my place to-night. I said first I must let Jack know I have arrived OK.
Sure go ahead, use my radio it's got a stronger signal, DR1 to AS, hi Joe where are you now, sitting in Brent's office please let John know I will not be home to-night. No problem -- out.
Let's leave here and you follow me, we are about 4 miles away, arriving at Brent's place he says put your bike over there it will be out of sight and under cover I grab my overnight bag.
It appears to be a three bedroom house from the outside as we enter via the mud room. I sit down and get my boots off, coveralls and body armor off and hang them up. Walking into the kitchen it is very modern as I look around. Brent makes the comment that he likes to cook hence the fancy kitchen. I had better show you your bedroom so bring your gear and no doubt would like to get a shower and get the road dust off -- that would be nice please -- come this way. The bathroom is through there and towels rolled up on the shelves. I have a good quick shower and dress in my jeans and Dispatch Riders Tee Shirt.
Returning to the kitchen Brent says that is a pretty fancy tee shirt there mate I like it. It is the first time I have seen one but I knew about them.
Gin and Tonic for you Joe, oh thank you that would be nice, go and sit in the living room and I will bring it to you. Cheers and thank you for coming out here, now you have been doing the DR Job for close on a year and I want to introduce this into other camps as this believe it has saved us a lot of money and more than covered your wages and expenses.
I'm looking at you becoming our Chief Dispatch Rider and to help train other young guys what is required. This will mean being away from home during the week and at the same time help educate some of the Camp Superintendents and there staff. However I will be meeting with them all in the near future to explain how this all evolved. Your Dad will also be there to share the benefits that have occurred in his camp. I'm glad to see you refer to each other as Joe and John that way folks do not know the relationship. I know this is putting a big responsibility on your shoulders but you and Sam did an excellent job at the graduation several months ago. I said I had a lot of encouragement from John who helped us put it all together. The section of when you entered the main line the mishap is a very important reason also why any DR should have his First Aid ticket.
Tell me Joe what happened after you delivered the spare parts to the mechanic? Well the two truck drivers called me over hugged me and said thanks for helping our mate; here drink this it's tea with sugar in it take your time and get your wind back, I said thanks mate that went down well. They asked are you sure you are OK I said no problem at all. I radio in saying I was returning via Valley Main to Camp. When I got back to camp I got a good mug of tea and sat outside and that is when it hit me what had happened just after I saw the guys taking Ken to the chopper.
The next thing I remember was you and John standing alongside me and some one saying come on Joe lets go home. Well after a good shower John scrubbed my back etc, I remember seeing some of Ken's blood on my coveralls so I put them in a large bucket of cold water to soak. I think also I had a good cry but that is not public if you don't mind -- no problems Joe it's between you and I.
Eventually John and I went for supper and you know what happened then the whole crew were very generous in thanking me helping to look after one of there mates. Joe I must add they would do the same for you as you are totally integrated in there family and that is the way I like to see our camps operate and remember the married ones are also family as most of the ladies work for us.
Have a think about this idea while I cook supper and I know you enjoy steak I believe its medium right -- yes please.
So what are your first thoughts, they must have a valid first aid ticket, must wear proper protective gear and that will include body armor, good riding gloves, Hi-Vis orange with yellow stripping with reflective strips overalls, there raingear should be similar also in color and markings.
Have a knowledge of there road network.
Correct use of the radio short brief and concise in there messages
Daily routine bike checks, like fuel and oil levels, rear chain adjustment and tire pressures and look for damaged tires
That's quiet a list at short notice I like it and know doubt it will get expanded as time goes on.
Brent served up dinner which was really nice and we sat there talking for a long time, eventually I said sorry but I need to get to bed it's been a long day up since 5:30 am.
My plan is we return to the office first thing in the morning and I will give you some maps of the other operations and then you can head off back home. Oh did Jack give you a credit card, yes he did... Well besides filling up your fuel tank grab a large bottle of rum for John please and charge it.
Ok Joe I have breakfast at 6:30 am; hope that is OK with you. You have a good night sleep see you in the morning. I fell asleep very quickly and the next thing I heard was Brent showering, I looked at my watch and saw it was 6:00am. I waited till the bathroom was clear took a quick shower and dressed in my motocross gear. Packed my over night gear back into the plastic container ready for loading then joined Brent for breakfast.
I got dressed in the rest of my gear and followed Brent back to the office, he took me directly to the mapping office asking the guy there to provide certain road maps and to fold them up and put them in a map container. Brent says once the required maps have been run off stop bye my office before leaving please -- will do!
I radio camp DR to AS, morning Joe, Jack I'm leaving now and on my way.
It's 9:30 am, I have a great ride it's a nice clear day. About an hour from camp I hear on the radio Super to AS hi Jack any word from DR yet, yes he left about 9:30 this morning. I cut in DR here am about one hour out from camp will be there for lunch -- thanks DR -- out.
I get into camp and deliver a package to Jack and ask can I use your radio please go ahead Joe use channel five. Dr to Brent, the receptionist to DR -- Brent is out right now please leave your message. DR to receptionist please advise Brent arrived back in camp 12:45 pm -- thanks DR will do -- out.
Thanks Jack, well I'm going for some lunch, I will join you expect John is already there. On entry to the cookhouse Kia ha! Ha the wander returns. Hi Joe what would you like for lunch, soup and sandwich please -- coming up. I get myself a large mug of tea and sit down. John walks in hi DR how are things, so where did you stay last night. I'll tell you later please don't ask any question here. John & Jack look at each other and smile.
Then John asks how much fuel left in the tank when you got there as I'm wondering how it works out. Easy to find out as I filled right up as I was leaving; if we go and fill up after we have eaten we will know as the tank holds 5 gallons, the tank took 4½ gallons.
I then head over to the office Audrey says they are all in John's office go on in Joe, Jack shuts the door. So Joe what's going on, I smile and said you know I went to town yesterday and stayed over night. Brent wanted to talk to me about how the cost saving in using Dispatch Riders and wants to introduce this into other camps. He has asked me to take on the job of Chief Dispatch Rider and deal with the safety and training other young guys. This means I will be away during the week a fair amount.
John's phone rings, Jack and I move away and continue talking. OK Brent we look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Joe -- Brent tells me you have already started a list of items related to this job so why don't you go home and get out of your gear and sit down and put things on paper and then share your thoughts with both of us. Then meet back here in a couple of hours any changes we will call you. Oh, Jack here is your company credit card, no Joe hang onto it for the time being as I feel you will need it quiet a bit.
I start my list - must have a valid first aid ticket, must wear proper protective gear and that will include body armor, good riding gloves, Hi-Vis orange with yellow stripping with reflective strips overalls, there raingear should be similar also in color and markings.
Have good knowledge of the road network. Carry a local road map at all times and have key for any locked roads.
Correct use of the radio short brief and concise in there messages
Daily routine bike checks, like fuel and oil levels, rear chain adjustment and tire pressures and look for damaged tires
The logging crew, drivers and mechanics must be made aware of you.
My Radio goes Super to DR where you Joe? DR to super in the shop -- out. Super to DR message understood we are coming over - out
I make a note, who ever is chosen for the job, the bike they are riding needs the radio setup modifying like I had done with mine that is as follows, wear a head set (ear phone and mike) have a socket installed on the radio so you can have button on the handle bars to trigger the transmit.
John looks at me and asks have you had that done? I said yes after my first day of doing DR work. To me it is a safety item as you have full control of your bike at all times, John looks at Jack this guys got a dammed good idea lets get Sam's radio fixed up that way. Don't worry it all ready is and he really likes it and in fact has also put a button on his Dad's ATV.
John say Jack the work day is almost over and I think this young guy here needs a good drink. I hope I have enough Rum in stock, I said you do John just hang on a minute and I get the bottle from my bike and say with compliments from Brent.
We both have a couple of drinks and then Jack leaves and John and I get our showers before going for supper. I'm in the shower when John comes in, hey want you're back scrubbed -- please. So I assume you stayed in the usual motel. No I didn't Brent want to talk and I stayed at his place, you did what? As I said I stayed at Brent's and he cooked supper. Had a very interesting evening and no doubt he will fill you in tomorrow when he arrives.
I was asked not to discuss anything so I must respect his request. Fair enough I'm glad to hear that, so lets go and have supper and Dad before we go over to the cookhouse please don't quiz me any more for information, I get slapped on my back come on Joe lets eat.
We have a good evening together watching TV and then we both hit the bunk at 9:00 pm our normal time.
I fall asleep very quickly, the next thing I know the alarm is going off, so our normal routine. John asks me what's your first job to-day, get my overalls on and check my bike over thoroughly and also do an oil change and check the rear chain as I think it my need some adjustment.
Once over at the shops, I see Sam and call out and ask have you checked your chain and oil lately, well no. OK get your overalls on and watch what I'm doing, Tony comes over hi guys any problems give me a shout and I will help you out. Thanks Tony we will but I hope were able to this ourselves. Sam asks why are you changing oil, I said this oil has got rather black due to carbon getting into the oil or it has over heated, it is better to change about every 35000 miles and sooner is better than later. Well Sam in my opinion does well and further more he has been working a lot on small engines like chainsaw etc.
We both finish up and refuel then the supply store is calling for DR2 have a delivery for you, DR2 - Supply I'll be there in 10 mins: - out.
Go Sam get your hands cleaned up and get you riding gear on I'll bring your bike over.
Sam heads out, then I realize mileage checks and log book for each bike must put that on my list, I look for some paper and make a note. This has taken a fair bit of the morning and I'm just taking my bike over to its normal parking place when I get a call from John asking me to come to the office. OK I'll be about 10 min: while I get cleaned up just finished servicing the bike. Don't bother we are coming out you.
John has Brent with him, Hi Joe tell me how long does this work take generally about two hours but today I had Sam here doing his bike for the first time. Did you require any assistance, luckily no but Tony came over and offered if we needed any thing -- that's great Joe good work.
When you get cleaned up can you bring your list over and we are in John's office. I have to get it all together so it will be about half hour no problem take your time and add a couple of items. I'll send it over to printout via Jack's computer. I check to see if the list has printed out and make three copies and take then into John.