What is the McGruff Truck Program?

Children deserve our protection. Participating in the McGruff Truck program helps protect our nation's children and create safer, more caring communities. Because McGruff is so well-known, the McGruff Truck Program is highly effective at making neighborhoods safer for children.

The McGruff Truck Program empowers utility companies to offer help in emergency situations to anyone, especially young people.  A McGruff Truck is easy to spot as it uses the image of McGruff the Crime Dog on strategically placed decals.  The decals identify the utility vehicle as a place to which children and others can turn for help.

The message of the McGruff Truck program is "We'll Call for Help." When flagged down by a child or individual in distress, McGruff Truck crews are trained to call for appropriate help. All McGruff Trucks have immediate direct access to two-way communication.

When a child flags down a McGruff Truck driver for help, the driver will

• Stop and go to the child
• Find out what the problem is
• Call the company's dispatcher or the appropriate public-safety agency
• Describe the situation, location, and condition of the child
• Describe any vehicles involved
• Identify the type of help needed
• Stay with the child until help arrives
• Complete and file a McGruff Truck incident report

Only a publicly owned, publicly regulated franchise, or government related utility company whose vehicles are identified by the company's logo and have immediate direct access to two-way communication (e.g. cell phone, two-way radio) can be considered as a participant in the McGruff Truck Program.

To become a McGruff Truck company you must

• Secure the support of company management
• Make sure your company adheres to a stringent standard for hiring employees who have potentially sensitive contact with the public
• Obtain the endorsement of three agencies (identified in the program application) familiar with the reputation of your company
• Complete and submit a McGruff Truck application form to the National McGruff Truck House Network
• A one-time $450 participation fee
• Include a non refundable $50 processing fee

Participating in the McGruff Truck Program offers both a valuable public service and an opportunity to build goodwill in your community.