3 minute read
LEGENDS OF FMIC - 3-D Footprints Logging, Inc
Maxon, North Carolina
Left to Right Ricky, Jamie & Terry Deese - Fayetteville, NC
David McLean and I spent a few hours with 3-D Footprints Logging, Inc. out of Maxon, NC. 3-D Footprints has been a client with Forestry Mutual Insurance for over 21 years and has never had a claim. A true testament to keeping one of the world’s most dangerous professions a safe work environment. 3-D is owned by three sons, Jamie, Terry, and Ricky Deese, who inherited the business from their father, and the company name is a tribute to walking in their father’s footsteps. The “D” references their last name, Deese.
Terry Deese and David McLean share a quick laugh.
Jamie tells us that they haul around thirteen to fifteen loads a day to Riegelwood Mill, 70 miles each way. We asked his brother Ricky, who drives one of their trucks, how he keeps safe while moving logs on the highway.
He continued, “notice how our trailers are built? Look at that headache rack. No wood is going to come through into my cab and kill me.”
Jamie Deese purchases road safety flags from David McLean
Interestingly enough, he mentioned the headache rack, as we at Forestry Mutual had a client fatality recently with a load. They had been driving 37mph on a narrow straight road that had a drop-off, lost control, and rolled. The logs slid through the cab killing the driver. David showed the in-cab video of the accident to the brothers. After viewing the video, Terry also mentioned that their trailers, which can be hard to unload, he admits, have logs lower in the bed of the trailer, making for a lower center of gravity, and again pointed to their reinforced headache rack.
Jamie Deese and David McLean chat about where to have lunch.
We asked Jamie where his favorite place to eat is? He laughs and points across the road...to his truck. (Funny guy, I was looking for a local diner to eat lunch after our visit. No help there). Jamie did mention that their highway log truck entrance flags "keep growing feet and walking away", and could they buy a new set from David? All of our Loss Control reps carry with them an assortment of safety equipment from flags, flashers, hardhats, and safety vests that can be purchased at a reduced rate.
J James Hunt (JJ) Truck Driver for 3-D Footprints Logging.
While David and I were there for an hour or so, several loads were loaded. one of the drivers was James Hunt (JJ). He says that working for the Deese brothers is great. They all have a great sense of humor and take care that everyone keeps safe. For example, flagging down and stopping traffic to allow the log trucks to come in and leave safely. Driver Richard Jacobs has worked for 3-D for about a year and a half but has known the brothers for twenty years says, “the Deese brothers are magnificent and fine people to work with.”
