No Shows The Next Three Weeks - 6/24/2020

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This week and the next t two are going to be busy for me which really means there are more than one day each week that I’m up around 1 am and working a full day. I realized this past Monday, when I had one of those days, that I can only handle one of those a week. When there are two or more my body simply struggles to do what it needs to do to stay safe and healthy. I’ll be back with a new show as soon as my schedule gets closer back to normal….what normal looks like…I’m not entirely sure. Thanks for your understanding. Be safe.

Elevator Radio Show 541 – Week 6/17/2020

I’m scratching my head at this one. Don’t masks allow us to face each other when we’re not able to keep a six apart? So now we have to face the walls, wear a mask and also keep as far away from each other as possible?

I’m scratching my head at this one. Don’t masks allow us to face each other when we’re not able to keep a six apart? So now we have to face the walls, wear a mask and also keep as far away from each other as possible?

I’d have to say that the only good thing to have come out of the Covid-19 and the shut downs is that I believe, based on the lack of internet articles, the number of elevator and escalator accidents has decreased.  That is up until this week.  There were two worker/construction related which requires a reality check about the dangers involved with the work we do each day.  We cannot ever lose sight of this!

Elevator Radio Show  – Week 6/10/2020 – No Show Today

Photo of a gas station down the street from work at 2 am. Steps to protect his store included blocking the entrance with his truck while he sat inside waiting for anyone to even consider looting it. I’m certain that he was well equipped to handle an…

Photo of a gas station down the street from work at 2 am. Steps to protect his store included blocking the entrance with his truck while he sat inside waiting for anyone to even consider looting it. I’m certain that he was well equipped to handle any number of looters who might have decided to break and enter.

There is no show today, everything is fine, I just needed the extra sleep.  It’s been a long week of doing my best to keep my family, those I work with, our building and myself as safe as possible during the looting and destruction in and around the city of Chicago.  A week ago, I didn’t think things could get any better but am glad to see today things have calmed. I’m just not sure what will set this type of acts off again.  Thank you to everyone who reached out to me regarding last week’s show and what I had to share. Some were supportive, others trying to get me to see another perspective, which I’m always open to, and still some letting me know I got it all wrong.  

The world we want to live in is up to us to change, not anyone else. I’m not sharing any self-proclaimed think positive messages here.  I’m not trying to make anyone feel good about themselves by blowing sunshine up anyone’s butt.  We’re so far beyond that.  I’m simply stating that we cannot control anyone else’s actions any more than we can control the sun rising and setting each day. The only thing we have control over is what we think and what we do. Our thoughts may have molded us into the people who are today but truly they do not define us. It is our actions that do.  Want a better world to live in? Take action. What a better, different world looks like to each of us is very different, which is one of the great things about living in the United States.  We are free to form our own thoughts about so many things and talk freely about those opinions. In my “better” world I will continue to support first responders and will take actions to show that support locally here in our community.  I’ll continue to take steps to ensure my family, those I work with, my home and business are safe.  I’ll make sure I’m taking the actions needed to help make the world that I want to live in a closer reality. None of this is easy nor will change happen overnight. But it’s a start.

Until next time my friends, be safe, thank you for listening.   

Elevator Radio Show – 540 – Week 6/3/2020 –From My Heart

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It’s been a tough week in and around the City of Chicago.  Today’s show has nothing to do with elevators or escalators. My heart hurts and is angry for many reasons.  Many of which don’t really make sense to me.  I do my best to convey these on the program today but realize I’ll most likely offend some people or whatever I try to say might easily be taken out of context. I’m not looking for a fight, I’m simply looking for the looting and destruction to end.  To my friends, family who are first responders, I support you. I am by your side, you are not alone. Be safe out there and look out for your loved ones.

Elevator Radio Show 539 – Week 5/27/2020

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I forgot what day or week it was since we started down this pandemic path as it continues to be a blur most days.  I find myself feeling like it is ground hog day every day I roll out of bed. I am very thankful that our company is open during this time, our employees able to work but it’s getting more difficult as this goes on.  Over the weekend I commented about the job one of our state representatives was doing to “keep us all safe” and the question pointed back to me was what would you have done different? I was caught off guard by this question but appreciated being asked it. I had never thought about it what I would have done differently.  I’ll share my response on today’s show.

Elevator Radio Show 538 – Week 5/20/2020

While much of our attention continues to engross us in this pandemic I want all of us to think this Monday about those who fought and lost their lives for our country and gave the ultimate sacrifice. We have the “freedoms” we hold so close to our hearts today because of them.  Please take a moment to think of a loved one, a friend you might have lost while they were serving our country during war or peacetime. Remember and share stories of these hero’s and their sacrifices. Keep the memories of those who have died fresh and share those stories with our younger generations. We can never repay the ultimate sacrifice they gave but we make sure we never to forget them. On Monday, as well as every day, lets remember and think about something much more important than this pandemic, our fallen Hero’s.

No Show Today – Week 5/13/2020

The State of Illinois is in trouble.

The State of Illinois is in trouble.


There’s no show today. It’s simply been a tougher week than I had anticipated both at work and on the family front.  The responsibility I have for ensuring our team is as safe as possible each day and into the future is starting to wear on me.  While I know we have the necessary supplies to keep our facility clean for weeks and possibly months, I still spend more of my day than I would prefer searching for replacement resupplies of certain PPE which is becoming increasingly more difficult and we haven’t even turned the economy back on.  I also spend time reviewing Federal and State government updates as well as confirming the steps we’ve taken will keep people at our facility as safe as possible. Yet even with my best efforts and intentions still feel as it it’s not enough. This leads me to ask so many questions that our officials can’t answer.

When you don’t know whether you’re up or down, how far you have to go, or how far you’ve come, there’s only one thing that can keep you going.  That thing is relentlessness. The momentum to keep moving and moving and moving, no matter what happens. I’m afraid this is all I have right now. Be safe out there my friends. I’ll be back next week.

Elevator Radio Show 537 – Week 5/6/2020

As the coronavirus dominates every aspect of our lives today as well as what we hear on the news or read online I was reminded last night while having dinner with my boys something very important which I’m going to share on the show today.  As each of our states attempt to put in place plans to reopen some look to be doing as good a job as can be expected while others are struggling to create one that has actual measurable goals. Hang in there, this is long from over and keep doing what you’ve been doing to keep yourself, your coworkers and your families safe. A little common sense should go along way.

Elevator Radio Show 536 - Week 4/29/20 - Mechanic Fatality In Oklahoma

 

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Terrible news out of Oklahoma today as news was shared of work place fatality involving an elevator mechanic. Even in today’s fear induced Coronavirus/Covid-19 world we cannot forget the steps needed to ensure those working, inspecting and riding on elevators, escalators and moving walkways are safe. These dangers will never change and we must not loose sight of this! The potential dangers inside an elevator shaft can’t even begin to compare to Covid-19 and we cannot forget it! While each of us worries about washing our hands, wearing a face mask and other significant ways to keep our coworkers and families safe the reality is that their are probably many more ways you could die during the course of the day after rolling out of bed than if you were sick with Covid-19. If we spent the same amount of effort, money and time on safety we would be safer because of it.  Do we need to be scared out of our minds to get to this point? It sure seems so. So take a step back, take a mile step back, and look at all the dangerous things that you may face each day.  The ones that could take your life in a second. Think about how many times you were crossing the street with your head buried in your phone not paying attention, when you sent that one text while you were driving thinking it was okay to send just one, when you didn’t lockout tag out that machine because you thought you would be safe enough. Each day there are monsters out there ready to get us. We need to show the same attention to these as we have Covid-19. We can’t forget the other “invisible enemy’s” waiting to change our life forever! Be safe, work safe, and share safety with your coworkers and family!

Elevator Radio Show 535 – Week 4/22/2020

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Thanks for all the well wishes for my mom, they are greatly appreciated more than you know. This week’s show has a lot of article links which talk about elevators, the coronavirus as they relate and other pieces from experts or should I say columnists who share advice that should be common sense. When did we lose our ability to apply common sense to situations which affect our health and well-being? Why is it so difficult to comprehend the importance of sanitation and our keeping the bad stuff we cannot see from making us sick? I’m frustrated as a father, a son, and business owner. Thanks for letting me share these thoughts with you. They may be way off base and I’m no expert but I’m not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  Stay safe everyone.

Elevator Radio Show 534 – Week 4/15/2020

Maybe plastic wrap and toothpicks will be the next shortage of goods we’ll see. And unless the plastic is really thick, doesn’t the pointy toothpick make a hole in the plastic?

Maybe plastic wrap and toothpicks will be the next shortage of goods we’ll see. And unless the plastic is really thick, doesn’t the pointy toothpick make a hole in the plastic?

The last two shows I’ve been struggling with what I’m going to be talking about. I wake up each day, and for a moment think to myself that everything is normal, life is good, then realize that Covid-19 is not a dream and we’re all living this nightmare together.  I continue to watch our Governor’s and the Whitehouse daily press briefing each day hoping for a glimpse of optimism that will allow us all to get back to our own normal lives. But despite the numbers, the flattening of the curve, that day seems so far out of sight.  Hang in there my friends, as an industry we’re going to struggle through this together.  Keep yourself safe, keep your family safe. Thank you for listening and allowing me to share and vent with you. I hope it brings some comfort in knowing that while we each may feel alone or helpless during this pandemic we are not. Good show today, one that I’m proud to have produced for you. 

Elevator Radio Show 533 - 4/8/2020 - When Will This All End?

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As optimistic as I’m attempting to seem it’s getting more difficult every day to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I’ll share more on this during the show today.  Continue to keep you and your family safe by washing your hands and sanitizing commonly touched work areas and make sure not to touch your eyes, ears or mouth unless your hands are clean.  This will help you stay healthy against all the bad stuff out there, not just Covid-19.  Some other advice I’d like to share is stay away from Facebook and the toxic posts you see out there. The news is just as bad. If you want to see what your governor or the Corona Virus Task Force has to share watch those briefings each day and form your own conclusion. The media rarely covers the entire briefing unfortunately.  The year off from this show has taught me that there are so many people out there who share information like they are experts when they aren’t. The media twists and turns and pounds home whatever they can to gain their viewing/subscriber base. The internet has become an ugly place and it’s truly sad to see.    

Elevator Radio Show 532 – Week 4/1/2020

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The equipment has been dusted off, powered back on and I’m back.  Today’s show, after taking eleven months off, comes full circle with the feeling and inspiration I felt when I recorded the first Elevator Radio Show podcast back in December 2005.  I have so many of you to thank for this.  I’ll be sharing the perspective from a company that manufactures elevator equipment on the steps we’ve taken along with just my thoughts on this entire pandemic. The goal here is to provide all of you, a place to come each week as we all do our best to get through this cluster. I care deeply for our industry, all who work in it and the safety of people who touch it every day. This virus is going to shift the way human beings interact forever as well as our industry.  Please be careful as you venture out into the world and practice the steps outlined by the CDC to keep yourself healthy. Wash hands as often as you can with soap and water for 20 mins. Don’t touch any of your body openings with your hands.  The virus must enter your body somewhere for you to become sick, don’t roll out the red carpet for it.

Thought for today’s show: Anger is the last bastion of the powerless.

EESF - What are you doing with my donation?

Here's how we use your donation...

EESF promotes public safety and prevents accidents by educating the public on the proper use of elevators and escalators. Here's a look at our recently re-branded campaigns. Visit our website.

Safe-T-Riders Online Campaign

EESF’s, "Safe-T-Rider," campaign runs a 60 second online video on key children’s YouTube channels. It has reached more than 1.5 million children ages 4-11.

The video has been shown in over 98 markets across the U.S. and Canada with the highest percentage of views in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Toronto, Dallas, and Atlanta. The program also includes a 4-minute education video to view online or use in various settings.

Safe-T-Riders Website

Rise Up Safe Riders

Our, "Rise Up Safe Riders," program is designed to reach young adults.  

Colleges and universities can download posters, brochures, planning guides, and audio public service announcements for their use. 

 In 2018, EESF had 1,365 page views—an increase of 25% from 2017.

 Rise Up Safe Riders

Safe-T-Riders Print Campaign

Educators can request learning packets which include an activity page, a certificate and sticker. These items can also be downloaded for those who don’t want to wait for the packets to be sent. 

 In the last year, over 6,000 packets have been mailed. To request materials, contact Laurie at laurie@eesf.org

A Safe Ride Seniors

This program is perfect for anyone who has a loved one who's older and may not be stable on his or her own feet. It's also an excellent tool for senior care, assisted living and rehabilitation facilities where elevators may be located.

 

Interested facilities and individuals can download our 16-page workbook. In 2018, our website views increased by 39%.

 Download the workbook.

EESF's Future Plans

EESF is embracing a new future. With your help, we hope to expand our activities. This includes: 

  • Finding creative ways to effectively incorporate our safety messages and programs into school curriculum in order to reach more children in the classroom.

  • Creating awareness about our programs among educators, care-givers and others by exhibiting at more conventions and meetings where these professionals gather.

  • Developing campaigns specifically targeted at parents and caregivers to carry our safety message directly to them.

  • Taking our message to malls, airports and stadiums to help more riders understand elevator escalator safety at the point where they interact with our transportation.

  • Accessing assisted living facilities, retirement communities, etc. to better reach seniors with our, "A Safe Ride,” program.

  • Increasing media relations—both with the press and social media outlets.

Please Help!

The EESF is 100% funded by your generous donations. To donate, please use the button or visit our website.  (All donations are tax deductible.)

Summer Break

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Sorry for going MIA the last few weeks. I need to put the show on hold until I get a chance to regroup, so for now I’m taking the summer off. If there’s something that does come up that I feel the need to share I’ll be sure to share it. Enjoy yourself out there and make sure you get out on your own vacation while the weather is nice!

No Show - 5/22 - 5/29

This week and next are busy as my two boys have sectional playoffs in each of their respective sports they are involved with which means much longer days for everyone than normal and games pretty much every night this week after work. In addition one is graduating which means there more events to go to. This week there’s no show, next week I’m not sure given the holiday on Monday so be patient until the two weeks pan out.

Most importantly, take a moment this weekend to remember our service men and woman who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defending the freedoms we hold so dearly to our hearts today. Share stories about your family members who served, we must never forget them.

Concerned about your elevator, escalator, dumbwaiter, moving walkway permits?

Building owners that have elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters or moving walkways installed in them are responsible for ensuring that they are permitted on time and not expired. If you’re concerned about any of your conveyance devices and whether or not they have expired permits or need to be inspected watch the video below or consider contacting contacting NAESA International to locate a 3rd Party Inspector in your area.

Elevator Radio Show 531 – Week 5/15/2019

A child sits while riding an escalator, looses part of a finger and the parents demand the mall pay for medical bills. Visit www.eesf.org to learn more about how to properly ride an escalator. Parents teach your kids this please!

A child sits while riding an escalator, looses part of a finger and the parents demand the mall pay for medical bills. Visit www.eesf.org to learn more about how to properly ride an escalator. Parents teach your kids this please!

This is the first show I’ve done where there were more than one “I-Team” type investigative report on expired elevator certificates. In the years I’ve been creating this podcast, never have any of them truly attempted to address or get to the bottom of the reason why. My question to you I-Team, reporter….look deeper into the numbers.  Find out the budget for the elevator inspection department, the number of inspectors the department has and the number of elevators that require inspections annually.  Go a step further and ask how long an inspection should take on average and plug those numbers into a spreadsheet.  After you’ve done this ask whether or not the funding allocated, the number of inspectors employed and the number of elevators, escalators, moving walkways and dumbwaiters that require inspections annually can be done based on the time and number of inspectors there are to do it. Do the numbers confirm that there’s adequate funding and employed inspectors to complete the number of inspections that are required each year?

One More Week Off - No Show 5/8/19

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I need one more week off to catch up after celebrating my nieces wedding this Saturday. With family in town and my two boys in the last two weeks before their respective sports schedule before the playoff runs start I truly needed to sleep in today, which mean’t a 4:30 am wake up call.

Congratulations to you Kelsey and Kyle! May all that you are….always be in love. May all that is love…..always be in you. May your love be as beautiful on each day as the day you first fell in love. May you always see and encourage the best in each other. May the challenges life bring your way make your marriage even stronger, and may you always be each other’s best friend and greatest love.

No Show - 5/1/2019

It’s another busy week here at home and work which after Saturday should settle down a little bit. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. I wanted to share a few notes as well as calendar of event reminders with you.

  • For those of you attending the IAEC event in Reno, NV this week I hope you’re having a great time and learning a lot. Wish I was there.

  • The CEA 5th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser is May 10th - If you haven’t already registered or supported it please consider doing so today. Time is running out. https://cea-online.org/2019/04/30/cea-5th-annual-scholarship-fundraiser/

  • Elevator U’s registration is open and agenda posted. Visit https://www.elevatoru.org/ for more information.

  • Canadian Elevator Contractors Association is fast approaching. For more information including how to register visit https://ceca-acea.org/ .

  • In need of QEI Educational Credits? NAESA International has the most opportunities to get them. Consider becoming a member today if you aren’t already. Even if you don’t need QEI, the Progress, which is the newsletter produced by NAESAi is just one of the many benefits when becoming a member. I’m a member and proud to be one. https://www.naesai.org/

For now that about does it. Thanks for your understanding regarding the show. Looking forward to being back in the saddle next week. Be safe!