The North Maine Woods, a working forest and recreational area of 3.5 million acres of commercial forest and waterways, has an industrial road safety committee, a landowner representative group which meets regularly to address safety issues. Back in 2022 the committee decided to use a proactive approach to commit to safety, recognizing truckers who consider safety a top priority in their important job of getting wood delivered to the mill in a safe and efficient manner. By nomination, a small monetary award (donated by large industrial forest landowners and managers) and a plaque was awarded to Jim Eastman.
Eastman of Garfield made his living in the North Maine Woods with a penchant for everyone to come home safely. He has been trucking for 40 years. We hope this award can show to the public that all woods workers are looking out for everyone’s interest whether it be a coworker or an outdoor recreationalist enjoying the great North Maine Woods.
The North Maine Woods Industrial Road Safety Committee always has a proactive approach when issues of safety come up and address them with concern so that everyone can get home.
Eastman, also known as Tater, has been driving trucks since 1985 at the age of 19. His first job he got as a driver was for John Cobb and he drove a Mack truck.
His father drove a truck too, and Tater would ride with him in the truck when he was a kid. Eastman has been around trucks most of his life whether it was riding with his dad, working on the trucks themselves or washing them. He knew he wanted to drive a truck when he graduated from high school.
Eastman says the woods have changed quite a bit since he first started driving. He says the trucks ride a lot smoother, they can withstand larger trailers, there is more paperwork involved and most of the trucks have sleepers so they don’t need to worry about sleeping in camps.
Eastman is not a very vocal man, he mostly remains quiet and is very humble, but at the times that require it the most, like calling his mile markers or communicating on the MURS, you will always know where he is. He currently works for Theriault Boys where he drives a 2025 International and the men all enjoy working with him. Even the girls in the office chuckle when he comes in and greets us with “Howdy!” and drops off his paperwork.
