The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has launched Goodyear Storm Priority, a new service designed to help keep utility trucks up and running as crews work to restore power during and after severe weather incidents.  As utility crews and their trucks spring into action, the risk of tire damage due to storm-related debris grows exponentially. Goodyear Storm Priority helps utility trucks stay on the road so utility crews can continue their power restoration efforts, according to the company.

“We realize that utility trucks can experience tire-related issues while they are outside of their home markets and driving to and from severe weather events,” said Jose Martinez, business and digital solutions manager, Goodyear Commercial Tire Systems. “Goodyear Storm Priority can quickly help these trucks return to service following tire-related damage, so they can reach their destination.”

To access the Goodyear Storm Priority program during and after power outages and other emergency situations – or while trucks are on their way to help with power restoration efforts – utility fleets call a dedicated line: 1-855-STORMHQ.

Calls are immediately routed to the 24/7 Goodyear-FleetHQ Solution Center, where trained tire professionals capture vital information, including the location of the caller’s downed truck.

“Calls come in as a high priority and are answered quickly,” said Martinez. “After collecting needed information, Goodyear-FleetHQ Solution Center professionals will locate and dispatch a service technician from the nearest participating Goodyear commercial truck tire dealer to the utility truck’s location. That technician will address the truck’s tire condition and help it return to service.”

Goodyear national account fleets “are already ‘in the system’ and have automatic access to Storm Priority,” according to Martinez. “We offer the most comprehensive suite of fleet business solutions in the trucking industry, and Goodyear Storm Priority is an important part of that. Like all of our Goodyear-FleetHQ solutions, Storm Priority is free, and is available to utility fleets of all sizes and configurations. We look forward to serving utility industry fleets in their vital work, which impacts so many people’s lives.”

Storm Priority is one of many business solutions offered through Goodyear-FleetHQ, all of which are designed “to help lower trucking operations’ total cost of ownership,” according to Martinez. They include:
•    The Goodyear-FleetHQ Service Network, which encompasses more than 2,200 locations from coast to coast, including more than 300 truck stops.
•    Tire Trac, a dynamic online tool that monitors a fleet’s service history and performance of individual tires - collecting, documenting and presenting key data in an easy-to-access format.
•    The Goodyear-FleetHQ Dashboard presents information about tire, retread, and service performance, plus purchase information to help fleets make better business decisions.

Since its inception, Goodyear-FleetHQ has put more than 750,000 trucks back on the road, according to the company.