CAFS Company Profile

Canadian Association of Fleet Supervisors (CAFS) was founded in 1948 by a group of fleet operators dedicated to the promotion of safety through training and education. CAFS is a non-profit, professional trade association with 200+ members consisting of fleets and associated suppliers to the trucking and transportation industry.

CAFS fleet members are comprised of such diverse operations as municipal, government and private fleets, bus, towing, road clearing and waste management. CAFS associated suppliers enhance the productivity and safety of our fleet members.

The activities of CAFS are governed by a volunteer Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Board members serve a three-year term and are representative of the sector included in CAFS membership. Day to day operations are managed by a staff Director of Operations.

CAFS Mission Statement

Dedicated to Safe, Efficient Fleets Through Education and Support

What We Do

CAFS offers a forum to assist our diverse membership in meeting the challenges and opportunities of fleet safety in our region.

We do this by facilitating communication and offering networking and educational opportunities for members. We provide an Annual General Meeting, ongoing technical training and guest speakers, a monthly electronic newsletter and e-mail updates. We also provide a Transportation Award scholarship each year.

CAFS supports its members regarding important issues facing the ever-changing industry. We serve as a local industry liaison, and raise industry awareness about key fleet safety related issues.

CAFS Constitution

1) The purposes of the Canadian Association of Fleet Supervisors are:

• To provide for an exchange of ideas relating to the safe operation and maintenance of commercial vehicles
• To provide for an exchange of ideas relating to the supervision, selection and training of drivers
• To promote public relations and goodwill towards the owners and operators of commercial vehicles
• To initiate programs and/or collaborate with established agencies in projects designed to improve traffic conditions and reduce traffic accidents

2) The operations of the society are to be carried on chiefly in the Province of British Columbia. This clause is unalterable.

CAFS Inception

The Association of Fleet Supervisors started out as the Fleet Safety arm of the Vancouver Safety Council. The Vancouver Safety Council was formed in 1930 by a group of Vancouver citizens who were concerned with the traffic growth and who recognized the need to develop accident prevention programs that would keep abreast of the times. In 1937, the Council was incorporated under the Societies Act of British Columbia and in 1947; Mr. Jim Plaskett was employed on a full time basis.

The Vancouver Safety Council worked with the Motor vehicle Branch, helped to inaugurate Motor-Vehicle Inspections, School Safety Patrols, High School Driver Education, Defensive Driving Courses and many other programs.

Colin Dobell was a director on the Vancouver Safety Council and could see what great work that the Council was doing for the general public. Colin thought that if the Council had a Fleet safety arm, it would be a great asset to the companies that ran commercial vehicles.

From the beginning to the mid 70’s the Council supplied administration to Fleet Safety through an ever expanding CAFS. CAFS owe much of its success to the willing support and active help of the Vancouver Safety Council.

Colin Dobell and 10 – 15 representatives from different companies in the lower mainland got together to discuses safety issues in trucking and transportation industry.

In 1948 they form The Association of Fleet Supervisors and Colin Dobell becomes the first president, with the Annual General Meetings taking place at the Aster Hotel in Burnaby.