Rotation Contracts Frown on 'Sharing Trucks'

I spoke with two small Midwest tow companies who were staring at suspensions for violating their law-enforcement contracts by sharing their tow trucks to serve another company’s areas under the same contract.

Where trucks aren’t approved in another area, they’ve conducted business and self-described their actions as being the “sister company.” In California, the CHP contract is specific in its wording prohibiting using a company’s tow trucks to respond to another company’s calls: “An operator/tow truck driver shall not respond to a CHP call assigned to another operator or reassign a call to another tow operator unless requested to do so by the CHP.”When evaluating the disciplinary process relating to tow trucks and tow fleets, law enforcement contracts are generally specific in dictating the type and quantity of tow truck equipment necessary to participate as a rotation tower. When responding companies list the type and number of trucks they’re making available to the contract area, each is identified by year, make and model according to the class service they can provide. Once a company’s trucks are listed for a specific area, and unless allowed by contract, they’re not allowed for use in another contract. So ... at the time the tower shows up in Area “A” but the trucks are approved only in Area “B,” a violation of contract may be present.Another violation is committed if trucks approved in Area “A” are sent through Area “B” inspections and disqualified. When either scenario occurs, tow bosses or area commanders aren’t overly excited that a company’s trying to pull the wool over their eyes. If this is a reoccurring happening in one or more areas, chances are, discipline is severe to the extent that suspension or removal from the rotation list occurs.In fairness to companies serving the same contract, if you’re trying to grow your business and desire moving into serving other rotation areas, don’t risk being caught up in illegal activities by sending your trucks into any areas where they’re not approved. Keep in mind that if this is something that your company’s guilty of and you’re caught, it could be the command’s decision that you’ve intentionally (fraudulently) falsified your company’s application. Falsification of your application is grounds for immediate dismissal and removal as a rotation tower.I understand the reasoning, but it violates the contract where area competitors have the right to complain. Equally so are companies who have part-time drivers working for two companies. When applying for future agency contracts, you may be asked if your company has ever been removed from another contract. It doesn’t make sense to gamble your company’s reputation. So growing your business means having a separate fleet as dictated by contract.