Coronavirus risks: Tow truck drivers can now get free COVID-19 testing at sites for first responders, but sanitizer, masks in short supply

The Statewide Towing Association has expressed concern over the vulnerability of its members amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drivers frequently come into contact with people without the protective equipment that other first responders have. But the organization has now received word that tow drivers have been given permission to receive the free COVID-19 testing at sites for first responders.

On Monday afternoon, Statewide Towing Association President Bill Johnson received notice from the Office of Public Safety saying that tow truck drivers with a Department of Public Utilities certificate and that are engaged in public authority towing are now able to go to the first responders testing sites.

The decision comes after an email was sent to Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.

“We are out here on the front lines and are the forgotten,” wrote Johnson. “I am sure you are busy, but I really did not know whom else to reach out to.”

The sites are located at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro and the Eastern States Exposition, home of the Big E, in West Springfield for testing if they show symptoms.

“I got confirmation yesterday afternoon,” said Johnson who has been working closely with state government officials. “We will be allowed to [be tested at the sites].”

Lt. Governor Polito didn’t comment directly on the decision but the Executive Office of Public Safety sent out a statement.

“As thousands of people are tested every day across the commonwealth, we are constantly assessing the demand, capacity, and capabilities of the priority testing sites in Foxborough and West Springfield,” said a spokesperson for EOPS.

Red’s Towing, Recovery and Transport in West Springfield covers the entire New England area, picking up stranded passengers that have had their vehicles fail, regardless of the weather, time of day or pandemic. However, the owner of Red’s, Gary Sheenan, has been increasingly concerned over the risks his staff are having to take on a daily basis.

The Statewide Towing Association was formed in 1970 by a handful of concerned towers to advocate for the Massachusetts towing industry. They have grown to represent 160 members across the state.

They have been able to supply 57 towing companies with masks, gloves and hand sanitizer who have asked for help on a case by case basis.

Red’s received two boxes of gloves, one box of 10 N95 masks and a bag of 10 bottles of hand sanitizer. This won’t last long with the daily pick-ups the drivers do and Sheenan has found it difficult to source this protective equipment from elsewhere.

“We’re pretty much left to fend for ourselves. Everywhere you go you can’t find anything you need,” said Red’s Operations Manager Ben Scott. “Even disinfecting the truck, the wipes are slim pickings.”

Sheenan expressed that he would buy masks, gloves and PPE tomorrow if he could but he can’t find it anywhere. He told MassLive that it’s all being bought up by the state for hospitals and other emergency services.

“If the state supplied us with the amount of masks we need to keep the shop running for a week or two weeks [that would help],” said Sheenan. “I’m not asking for thousands or tens of thousands [of masks]. We have to be considered as first responders.”

“Like every other American around here, they want to do their part. They want to keep the trucks rolling that are delivering all these supplies to the hospital's [and] the Wholesale stores,” said Scott. “They need us [and] my guys are working until three, four o'clock in the morning. They're getting called up to go tow this vehicle and it's their job.”

Scott told MassLive that three of his drivers are over 50 years old and many are smokers putting them in the most vulnerable category. All the drivers are now working from home, only coming to the site to drop off cars or trucks.

“If a firefighter or policeman has some post-traumatic problems from an accident, there’s an outlet for them that’s paid for by the Commonwealth,” said Johnson. “There is no such thing for the [driver of tow trucks]. We’re just kind of like a hardened band that just does our job and doesn’t get much.”

Sheenan and Scott spoke about the drivers at Red’s and the selflessness they have shown, never questioning whether they should be going out or complaining over the lack of masks.

“There was an accident. There’s two elderly female passengers the police and fire refused to take them,” said Johnson. “We don’t have any masks. We have very little hand sanitizer left [but] we couldn’t leave them on the side of the road.”

In the police cruisers, there is a space that regardless of whether a person is wearing a mask or not the trooper can separate themselves from the public to avoid spreading the virus or being infected themselves. A tow truck driver does not have this option.

“Essential employees still have to drive to work. People still need to drive to pick up food and medication. Even during a pandemic, if a car breaks down, a tow truck driver will be there to help,” said Rep. Jim McGovern. “Tow truck drivers are essential, and that means they should be getting the equipment and testing they need to stay safe – period.”

The death of Salem grocery store employee Vitalina Williams led to action from Rep. Seth Moulton. Highlighting the vulnerable position workers in the food supply chain are in, he formally requested Gov. Charlie Baker to designate grocery store workers as emergency personnel.

“Whether you’re on the front lines in a hospital, the flightline of an aircraft carrier, a checkout line at a grocery store or working a tow line on the road,” said Moulton on Monday. “The richest country in the world ought to be able to provide you a test for COVID-19 and the protective equipment that you need to stay safe.”

In the same vein, Johnson sent an email to Lt. Governor Karyn Polito asking for her help and on the next working day received word that free testing will be available.

Before the pandemic, the STA hadn’t really involved themselves with each individual towing companies contracts with other emergency services. Now, because of the pandemic, the STA has been working with the Department of Public Safety with the help of the Baker and Polito administration to make new procedures where the state troopers will provide transport to stranded passengers.

“Its similar impact across the country and you know adding tow operators and road service providers to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency licensing guidelines is something that the TRAA played an instrumental role in right after this whole COVID-19 exploded in March,” said Executive Director of the Towing and Recovery Association of America Cindy J. Martineau. “As far as for testing and the other perks that are being offered, are not being extended to our tow operators. We’re always the unsung heroes.”