From Slide Bed to IVR Trainer

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From Slide Bed to IVR Trainer: Michael’s Journey with RS Recovery

At RS Recovery, we pride ourselves on fostering home-grown talent, supporting professional growth and recognising the dedication of our team. Meet Michael, our in house IVR Trainer at RS Recovery, whose journey with us is a testament to commitment, skill and continuous development.

Michael began his journey at RS Recovery several years ago, starting out behind the wheel of a slide bed vehicle. From day one, he demonstrated a strong work ethic, reliability and a natural aptitude for the demands of vehicle recovery. It wasn’t long before his potential stood out and he soon progressed into the challenging world of heavy recovery – a role that requires not only technical skill but calmness under pressure and a thorough understanding of complex recovery operations.

Eager to expand his capabilities even further, Michael took the initiative to gain his incident manager qualifications, positioning himself as a key player in coordinating and managing complex recovery incidents on the roadside and beyond.

Now, we’re incredibly proud to announce that Michael has taken on a new and important position within the RS Recovery team: our in-house IVR (Institute of Vehicle Recovery) Trainer. In this role, he is responsible for sharing his extensive experience and expertise with the next generation of recovery operators – ensuring our high standards are passed on and upheld across the team.

Michael’s progression through the ranks is not just a personal achievement but a reflection of our commitment at RS Recovery to invest in our people. His journey embodies what’s possible when dedication meets opportunity.

Well done, Michael!

Heavy recovery addition

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The newest addition to the RS Recovery Ltd family.  Previously owned by First Point Commercials in Manchester, we snapped at the opportunity to acquire it.

Its 8×4 chassis with Globetrotter cab, 13-litre engine, I-shift transmission and was custom-designed and manufactured at the the Netherlands-based Falkom factory.  Fitted with the FAW 25.000 kit, the top boom equipment has a 25-tonne lift capacity and an underlift capacity of 10 tonnes at its full reach of 4.5 metres.  The front-steer axles are rated at nine tonnes each and the rear axles are air-suspended, double-drive, hub-reduction rated at 26 tonnes.

The 2017 Euro 6 chassis will also enable us to meet the Low Emissions Zone criteria for travelling into London and the impending zone for Birmingham City in 2020.

 

heavy recovery breakdown hgv truck and trailer volvo falkom

It has been kept immaculate by the team at First Point Commercials but we’re looking forward to getting it in our colours in 2019.

 

 

 

HGV incident on the M5

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On the 3rd January 2018, RS Recovery were called late in the afternoon to attend a major incident involving an fully loaded HGV on the M5.  A HGV was overturned and been on fire, which devastated the entire vehicle.  Prior to our arrival, the emergency services had put out the fire and once it had cleared, it was apparent that there was no remains of the vehicle apart form the steel structures and debris.

recovery, burn out, incident, m5, motorway, commercial recovery

recovery, heavy recovery, m5, motorway, incident, rotator

 

We executed a plan in agreement with Highways England to ensure the motorway was able to be opened the following morning, with enough time for the highways services to undertake necessary roadworks.

Due to the condition of the HGV it was a thoughtful and time-consuming job that involved removing amounts of debris and cutting large sections of the vehicle.  We employed the help of a specialist grab hire company to clear the debris and gain access to the vehicle.  Once the majority of the burnt debris was cleared, the tractor unit was split from the trailer and loaded on to a low loader.  As the trailer was a double deck, sections of it needed to be disassembled and cut to ensure it could be safely transported away from the scene.  Once this was complete, it was lifted by 2 of our vehicles and loaded on to another waiting low loader.

Once placed on to the low loader, the sections of the trailer were secured and the load was escorted back to our base.

We understand the driver was pulled out by a member of the public and taken to hospital as a precaution.

Link to the Facebook post

Emergency services training exercise

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We had the pleasure to assist the West Midlands Emergency services by recovering a bus into place on the A38 Aston Express Way in Birmingham.  An exercise was undertaken throughout the night and coordinated with a number of agencies to simulate a major road traffic incident.  National Express West Midlands who’d provided the bus, asked us to deliver it and put it place with a number of special requirements so that it was as realistic as possible.

We were glad to have been involved in such an exercise and its importance for continually improving the emergency services.  A short video on the West Midlands Fire Service can be viewed below.

 

Newest addition to the fleet

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The equipment is from Boniface Engineering in Thetford.  We went for the Recoverer Trident with Side-winders (which you can see extended out from the side of the vehicle).  We already had a similar specification vehicle on the fleet but with a 3-axle chassis, so we knew what to expect.  The side-winders add great winching capability and stability to the truck when towing heavy loads.  It’s the first time we’ve gone for a 4-axle chassis and we can now see why it is so popular among other operators.  The additional axle adds better steering and braking which is critical in certain scenarios.