On October 30th 2002, the utility kicked off the KUA McGruff Truck Program --
an innovative partnership between the National Crime Prevention Council and
KUA. "The KUA McGruff Truck Program provides children and adults in our
community with an added measure of security," said Chris Gent, manager of
corporate communications at KUA. "We're proud to be the first utility in
Florida to offer this program." The message of the KUA McGruff Truck program
is, "We'll call for help." The McGruff Truck crew is trained to summon
appropriate help when flagged down by a child or individual in distress.
A KUA McGruff Truck is easy to spot. The McGruff Truck symbol, located on the
front and rear of each KUA-logo vehicle, identifies utility service vehicles
and their drivers as sources for help. Every driver of a KUA vehicle marked
with a McGruff sticker has been trained to provide assistance when approached
by a child or adult. All KUA McGruff Trucks are equipped with two-way radios or
cellular phones that enable the driver to call for assistance immediately upon
observing an emergency. When flagged down by a child or other individual in
need of assistance, the driver will call for help and stay with the individual
until help arrives.
A KUA McGruff Truck driver does not administer first aid, except in extreme
emergencies, medicine of any kind, provide transportation, or place the child
in the truck. The driver does not act as a law enforcement officer, or approach
a child unless he or she is clearly in trouble.
Children will be taught about the KUA McGruff Truck program by their
elementary school D.A.R.E. and/or resource officers. They will be instructed to
wave both hands above their head if they need assistance from a KUA McGruff
Truck. Each incident is logged, an incident report is prepared and all
reporting is monitored by KUA, as well as the National McGruff Truck
Headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. KUA's McGruff Truck program -- the third
in Florida after the Village of Palm Springs Police Department and Winter Haven
Fire Department -- will encompass 100 utility vehicles.
Twenty-four states involving 140 corporations and municipalities currently
participate in the McGruff Truck program. Utilities are the most frequent
participants, as well as the original supporters, according to the National
Crime Prevention Council. The program has the strong support of the Kissimmee
Police Department, Osceola County Sheriff's Office, and local government
leaders, and it has the endorsement of the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office.