Interview with Rod West of Blackfork Emergency Services
 A few months ago my car broke down in Huntington. With one leash, two dogs, and no cell service, I quickly found myself in one of the least ideal situations to be in mid-January. Bitterly cold and more than a little annoyed with myself for requiring the morning coffee fix that stranded me on the edge of town, I trudged awkwardly through the heavy slush beside Gillette Pond. Eventually, I found a ride to Jonesville in the back of a pickup. After returning home, my first call was to Rod West of Blackfork Emergency Services. Hesitant to interrupt his Sunday morning, his amiable tone quickly alleviated my concerns and by the time he arrived to accept payment for a tow down to Mann and Machine, I was all smiles. Mildly perplexed with my pleasant state of mind, even after forking over $100 for the tow (the going rate for a Sunday), I mused that he must either be some sort of towing monk, whose aura was capable of mitigating any roadside woe...or a blissful state of hypothermia was presently setting in. Not being entirely sure, I jumped at the chance to interview him when I joined RABA's editorial staff.
I wouldn't recommend crashing your car to simply meet the guy, but when you do break down, or lock yourself out (as I have been known to do from time to time), you'll be happy you have Rod West's number. He's the consummate professional; knowing not only the ins and outs of towning, but also the heightened sense of anxiety that comes with any car-related misfortune. He often carries himself with an air of impending comedy-never the gruff, disgruntled, and occasionally judgmental affect one might expect to encounter under such circumstances. Undoubtedly, you've seen his humorous pop-culture turned towing references along Rt. 2, headed out of town towards the highway. "To boldly tow where no truck has gone before," happens to be my personal favorite; but a recent statement proclaiming "our community works best when we volunteer," hints at West's altruistic mission outside of his his daily occupation.
In speaking with West, I learned that he serves on Richmond's 4th of July committe. Every year, he and a small group of dedicated individuals organize the town's largest and most successful celebration of community solidarity. He's happy to point out that a majority of the stands on the Village Green are associated with local non-profits, including the fry stand, which I had for years mistakenly attributed to Al's French Fries. That too is wholly owned by the town and used once a year for the event. He also happens to be the mastermind behind a flash ice rink that magically appeared on the park this winter. I experienced this process first hand while attempting to navigate my distraught canine through a field of icy mush-the remnants of his first attempt with the rink. His second try was far more successful, and it was a unique sight to observe West and his fellow cohorts siphoning water off the Winooski River, selectively flooding a portion of the Green for what was soon to become rink 2.0. It's a project he hopes to revive for the upcoming winter, and for the throngs of skaters who frequented the rink, this will surely come as happy news.
It's a strong community ethic that translates back to his work. His philosophy on towing goes something like this: recover vehicles promptly without creating additional damage, and upon request, provide a ride to a safe location. It's basic, but it has proved to be a successful mission. West's tone becomes serious when he talks about the state's notorious weather conditions that often lead to accident calls along Richmond's I-89 corridor. "People shouldn't have to stay out there a minute longer than they have to." To that end, Rod has amassed an able fleet of towing and service vehicles to handle just about every situation our chaotic weather can throw at him. He beams adoringly at one of the rigs, just back from a paint job-a point of pride that doesn't go unnoticed.
This year also happens to mark West's 10th year in the towing business. Beyond towing and recovery, West has expanded Blackfork's services to accommodate the various roadside assistance needs of his customers. He can perform tire changes, help with lockouts, and can even provide transportation for larger, stranded groups. Most recently, Rod has begun to offer locksmith services. He notes that it's a business he may transition into some way down the road.
To learn more about Rod West and Blackfork Emergency Services visit http://richmondvermont.com/Towing-Recovery-Services/5-Blackfork-Emergency-Services/View-details.html
- Dan Giangreco
May 2010
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To be announced