Islip Recovery worker Kevin Ouwerkerk was doing his daily rounds in a residential neighborhood when something went terribly wrong.  After he emptied a can of trash into the town garbage truck, the load exploded on contact.

Fire began to consume the truck.  

Setting aside his own safety, he quickly drove the blazing truck as far away as he could from nearby houses and cars.  Once the truck was brought to a clear area, Kevin dumped the flaming load, got out of the truck and called 911.    Firefighters arrived and put out the blaze.  They later learned that someone had dumped gunpowder in the garbage can. 

Thanks to Kevin’s decisive action, the entire truck did not explode.  Not only did he avert a blast that could have caused serious harm and destruction, Islip Recovery didn’t even lose its truck.

Local 237 Long Island Division Director Ben Carenza explained, “If anyone thinks that our members are just here for a paycheck, they just need to look at Kevin  Ouwerkerk.  He put his life on the line to make sure that no one was hurt.  He is a hero and we are proud to call him our union brother.”

Islip Recovery driver Kevin Ouwerkerk is a 15-year Local 237 member.