The COVID Van

In the midst of uncertainty and health risks, the Danos safety team is certain about one thing: they will provide the best care and support for our employees and their families.

When it comes to managing this COVID-19 pandemic, the safety team hasn’t missed a beat. They have responded to cases where our employees were symptomatic or in close contact with a coworker with COVID symptoms. In the last six weeks alone, they have responded to a significant increase in the number of cases.

The team uses two Danos vans that have been arranged to separate the driver from the employee needing transportation. As you can imagine, it is not an easy decision knowing that each time they are potentially putting themselves and their families at risk.

I pulled our team together and asked them, “Are you willing to do this? This is your decision.”

The group responded as if it was the fourth quarter with seconds left, and the ball was in our hands. It was unanimous - “Let’s do it!”

We didn’t take this risk without taking precautions. The COVID van, as the team calls it, is set up with plexiglass behind the front seats. The passenger sits in the very last row, and both are required to wear masks for the duration of the trip. The van is also stocked with hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies.

It fills my heart knowing that our team has performed these tasks, and no one to date has been affected by this virus. The team agreed. The team responded. The game plan has worked!

During the week I was fortunate to have my door shadowed by one of the leaders of our company who mentioned to me his routine during his commute to work. He said, “I turn off my radio at a certain place, and from there I pray for your team and our employees.”

I strongly believe in prayer, and in that, I’m also thankful for each one of our team who continues to demonstrate genuine care. The team not only offers transportation for our employees, but they also call them during week to check on them to see how they are doing.

We are in a war with this pandemic, and so far the team is winning 464 - 0. Special thanks to each of them for fighting and for winning (pictured in order below): Safety Specialist Mat Bascle, Safety Specialist Kent Bourg, Safety Manager Stephen Gros, Safety Specialist Darren Himel, Case Manager Frances Kosak and Safety Specialist Nick LeBlanc