Norfolk woman receives ‘hero of the towing industry’ award

Jennifer Dean is a hero in the towing industry.

Dean, who grew up in Tillsonburg and now lives in Norfolk County, was presented the 2023 Hero of the Industry Award by the Professional Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO) at its Tow Trade Show banquet and awards dinner Saturday in Cambridge.

The annual award honors “those in the towing industry who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help save a life, committed a selfless act or have improved the lives of those who live in their community through their work,” with emphasis on courageous and selfless acts.

“I didn’t even know I was nominated, it was a complete surprise,” said Dean. “I was in shock. I really didn’t think it was going to be me.”

In the award nomination process, PTAO examines reviews from people who have interacted with tow truck operators. PTAO received five for Dean.

“I try to treat everyone like family because when I see people, it’s not the best day. I’ve not met one happy person that’s been in an accident.”

One of the submissions came from a man air-lifted to a London hospital who received first aid from Dean at the scene of a collision, and made a full recovery.

Dean also gave life-saving first aid to a woman at the Tillsonburg Fishing Derby who was having a stroke. A full recovery is expected.

“It was a bit of a shock as it was happening,” said Dean, who was representing Oxford OPP Auxiliary at the fishing derby.

Dean has been a volunteer auxiliary constable since April and has been a combat engineer reservist with the 31

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Combat Engineer Regiment based in St. Thomas for the past year.

“Growing up, it was always pitched to me, you do what you can for your community – and I take all my spare time to do whatever I can to try to better the community.”

The 28-year-old has been a tow truck operator for the past 10 years, but has been in the industry since she was six. Her parents, Mike and Rosemary Dean, have operated Advanced Automotive Towing & Repair in Tillsonburg since 2001.

Before she could even drive a truck, Jennifer assisted her parents as a ‘swamper’ (assistant), going out on calls, helping to hook up cars, cleaning up wrecks, adding responsibilities as she got older.

“I’ve been driving my own truck for about 10 years,” she said.

Today, it’s a bright pink heavy-duty flatbed – the seventh truck in the Advanced Automotive fleet, dedicated to Shanna Larsen of Woodstock, who was 24 when she died in 2005 with breast cancer, and three family friends who are breast cancer survivors.

“Between my mom and my dad, they taught me everything I know. I was in a tow truck with them from an early age,” said Jennifer.

She remembers an old Dodge ‘wheel lift’ truck they called Little Red.

“I always wanted to be in that truck,” she laughed. “That was it, that was the truck.”

It was a little nerve-wracking going out on her own when she was 18, she admitted, but she could draw from her earlier tow experience.

“The only thing I needed to add to it was to be able to drive to the scene and home from the scene without any hiccups.”

As a tow truck operator, Dean has been called to fatalities. It’s a part of the industry.

“There will be calls you will never forget. It’s made me more of a cautious driver because you see the outcome of that drunk driver, the distracted driver, or even somebody who might be having a bit of an emotional day and they’re not fully in their right head space.”

It does not affect some tow truck operators, she said, but some can’t sleep afterwards.

“I would say to anybody, definitely go seek help if it’s affecting you, there is a 1-800 number. There is no harm in seeking help. We deal with a lot that the general public doesn’t see that can be emotionally traumatic.”

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