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Ponoka towing company recognized for quality service

It’s been a good year for Keith Stebner, whose company, Ponoka First Call Towing, received some high praise from industry leaders
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Keith Stebner

It’s been a good year for Keith Stebner, whose company, Ponoka First Call Towing, received some high praise from industry leaders even beyond national borders.

Celebrating 20 years of service this year, Stebner just received a Top Ten WreckMaster plaque, awarded by WreckMaster out of the United States for his strong service as a tow company.

“This training is more focused towards equipment. So staying within the working loads of your equipment,” said Stebner.

Not long after, First Call Towing was also awarded the AMA Service Provider of Excellence for 2014.

“Most of it has to do with customer service and response time,” explained Stebner.

His company shows little to no damage claims from motorists and he says he and his crew work well with AMA. Stebner feels this was a factor in receiving the award. With three trucks and four employees, Stebner says every day brings something new.

The biggest challenge they face in the industry is highway safety. Many motorists do not realize that when tow trucks are on the highway with their amber emergency lights on, drivers need to move over one lane or slow down to 60 km/h if they are in the adjacent lane. “A lot of people don’t understand,” remarked Stebner.

He feels more public education will help people understand the rules of the road.

The other challenge they face is in vehicle construction. “Cars aren’t near as good as they used to be as far as hooking up,” he explained.

Many new vehicles are also starting to see a plug in the bumper and tow hook in the trunk, but most are car specific and Stebner says they don’t always know how these hooks have been used.

As far as the award is concerned, Stebner said he was pleased to receive the recognition. He praised staff for helping him get to this point. Ponoka First Call Towing has three trucks in its line up with two flat decks and one wrecker.