vehicle technician

installer

warehouse worker

automotive glass technician

outside sales representative

Dana Safety Supply

Thankful for the opportunity to have driven for D.S.S. in Tampa.  It was a great to support local law enforcement with new vehicles.  D.S.S. techs do a great job with the patrol vehicles they assemble.  Truely professional work.

Now for the beef regarding my termination in late May 2018.

I owned up to speeding with a new unit being delivered to Polk County Sheriff's Office promising the boss it would never happen again, but I never explained fully why it happened.  As upset as the boss was it wouldn't have mattered.  We were pressured to get 9 Chargers delivered to Polk County that week and it was already Friday with none delivered.  On the run in question we were held back in highway traffic for several miles by slower drivers not moving out of the way.  After 10 -15 miles an opening to pass appeared and I gunned the car I drove putting all the slower traffic behind me.  The chase vehicle was close behind me driven by the most annoying person ever who tries to police everybody in what they do.  I got chewed for speeding because it's obvious that the chase driver tattle taled on me.  He didn't show up to the Polk motorpool for another 20 minutes after me.  Well, that guy does no better.  He's a speeder, too, and likes yelling from the van at people along the streets.

While being reprimanded for speeding with a new patrol car the boss goes on to tell me they also aren't happy about a dent I caused on the door of one of the brand new Chargers.  I know the situation the boss is referring to, but it wasn't a dent.  I saw and felt a scuff in the paint.  That same week, early one morning I showed up (volunteered) to drive and found one of the other drivers already washing one of the Chargers to be delivered.  I began helping him by trying to get the water hose straightened out, but as it turned out he didn't even unwind enough hose to start with, so, when I pulled on the hose the entire hose reel toppled over SCUFFING, NOT DENTING, the rear passenger door of the Charger being washed.  Other driver kept trying to wipe at it with his fingers and rag.  The car was wet, so, I couldn't make out any dent.  I could only feel a scuff in the paint with my finger.  He then talked to the new shop supervisor about it while motioning toward me a couple times.  After a lot of thinking back on that situation I'm inclined to believe now that he put all the blame on me while accepting zero fault for his not having enough water hose unreeled to wash that car to begin with.

I applied to DRIVE (deliver/pick up) official vehicles, NOT WASH THEM.  THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED!  4 months earlier the previous shop supervisor said he was trying to hire someone specifically for washing vehicles before their deliveries, but that never happened (no fault of his) and the washing gradually fell on us drivers.  My ACCIDENTALLY knocking over a water hose reel causing a new car to get SCUFFED wouldn't have happened if car washing wasn't put onto us, so, this is management's fault overall.  I shouldn't have been canned.

Before that day ended I wanted to come back into that office and offer to work off the full cost of the damage done to that unmarked car.  I don't like having anyone upset with me for anything.  I have integrity and haven't received a speeding ticket since 1998.  Instead, not even 10 minutes later, boss had the new shop supe come in to tell me that "I'm done."  Something that the boss should have done instead of having the shop supe do.

From the time I started driving for D.S.S.,  I caught up on my bills after 4 months and I DID'T NEED to keep that job, but I stayed in it because I enjoyed it, got along with everybody and the previous shop supe was a great leader (his replacement is a far cry).  I worked my behind off washing those cars (by myself) getting them ready on the days that the old supe asked me to.  I did it for him and the agencies receiving them.  I drove for D.S.S. for 9 months and when we had cars to deliver I WORKED ON ALL OF MY DAYS OFF FROM MY FULL TIME JOB and the boss didn't even take that into consideration.

As for the tattle tale, he was ready to put the boss on blast and go to claims court for not being paid for so long and getting some form for his 2017 taxes.  He would not shut up about it riding back to D.S.S. after a run to Polk one day.  He ranted and ranted on about the boss, pretty much throwing him under the bus, BUT boy did his tone change when boss man was already outside and approached the tattle tale "Have you been paid, yet?"  That driver is one of the most 2-faced individuals I've had to work with in a long time.  Disrespecting the boss behind his back and being a speeder, too.

Mind you, the day the hose reel fell over and hit the Charger I didn't even have to be there.  I VOLUNTEERED!  The out-bound shop supervisor asked me to come in because 9 cars needed to be delivered that week and other drivers couldn't be counted on to show up.

To the boss man, I really hope that the next time you have to chew someone out like you did with me you don't let the person walk out of your office on the premise that he or she still has a job only to have the new shop dog go behind that person to cut'em loose for you.  That's just low.  I had respect for you even when reprimanding me because I knew you were just protecting the business.  I really hope for the rest of the guys assembling the cars that the new shop supe's demeanor hasn't run them off and hurt the business.  I hope D.S.S./Central Firearms continues to support law enforcement for many many years to come.

Working as a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Dana Safety Supply has been an outstanding experience. It is a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment where your efforts directly impact the safety of communities by finding the talented people who equip our nation's first responders.

No two days are exactly the same, which keeps the energy high. A standard day usually involves:

Sourcing & Screening: Hunting for top-tier talent, ranging from highly specialized emergency vehicle upfitters and 12V technicians to sales professionals and warehouse staff.

A Typical Day at Work:

Hiring Manager Syncs: Collaborating closely with branch managers across various locations to understand their specific team dynamics and urgent hiring needs.

Candidate Experience: Managing the interview pipeline, extending offers, and ensuring a seamless onboarding process for new hires.

This role completely leveled up my recruiting game. I learned the ins and outs of a highly niche industry, public safety equipment and automotive upfitting. Beyond standard recruiting metrics, I mastered how to effectively headhunt for specialized technical roles and developed a deep understanding of market trends across multiple geographic regions.

Management & Workplace Culture:

The culture at Dana Safety Supply is deeply rooted in camaraderie and mutual respect. There is a strong "one team, one mission" mentality because everyone understands the critical nature of the industry we support.

Supportive Leadership: Management genuinely listens to your insights and trusts your expertise. There is no micromanagement; instead, leaders provide the autonomy, tools, and backing you need to succeed.

Environment: It is a down-to-earth, hard-working atmosphere where achievements are celebrated, and your coworkers quickly feel like family.

The Hardest Part of the Job:
The talent market for skilled automotive and emergency vehicle technicians is incredibly competitive. Finding candidates who possess the exact technical skillsets required for precision vehicle upfitting can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. It requires a lot of resilience, grit, and creative sourcing strategies to keep the talent pipeline full.

 The Most Enjoyable Part of the Job:
Without a doubt, the best part of the job is making that perfect match. There is nothing more satisfying than extending an offer to a great candidate and later watching them thrive in their new role. Plus, knowing that the individuals I hire are directly responsible for building the vehicles that protect law enforcement and first responders gives my daily work a profound sense of purpose.

Final Verdict: If you are a recruitment professional looking for a company with a solid culture, great leadership, and work that


I have been an employee with Dana Safety Supply for just over 1.5 years in the Tallahassee Florida location. I have had many jobs in the Automotive industry. With nearly 10 years in this particular field overall, I have worked along side many installers and managers. Dana Safety Supply has been hands down the best career decision I have ever made. The team I work with are the best! They really make you feel like family, are very professional, and are there for me 24/7. I truly enjoy this line of work, and love doing the installations. There's something about starting out with a brand spanking new car with absolutely no equipment in it from the factory and being able to up fit it with all of this awesome new technology. There's a special feeling you get when your all done and can see the end result of what you have built. DSS puts this same effort into its employee's, the general manager's, office administrator's, even the  installer's all throughout the company. I would highly suggest a career with DSS for anyone, there are so many different positions and they offer the ability for advancement. Fast paced environment with the ability to make a very good living. The compensation is ridiculous, but in a very good way! I absolutely love this place and the team I work with. I can not thank DSS enough for this opportunity!

1, you will make a set amount with no room of improvement. it's not hourly like it is advertised. it is commission and to make decent money you will need to be lucky and get on the fleets. but they do not have many of those. they start you off for 90 days hourly but after that unless you do fleets you'll have to work late every day just to make what you would on hourly. in the interview they make it sound all good by showing you the top jobs but those go to the vets there. they give you the 200 - 400$ jobs and starting out it will take 3 to 4 days.

2, that brings me to training, it's a joke. they have you follow someone for 90 days doing nothing but QCing cars. maybe build 1 or 2 cars and even then isn't enough to learn the job very will.

They say they want people to do good work but will get on you for taking too long. Now I have been building race cars before this job for 7 years and even with experience to do a proper full build will take some good time to get it near perfect.

3, the management is very very bad at communicating. not just with employees but customers too. 3 people will all tell you different things for the same question. 

lastly they will fire you with no warnings. but in context that can go back to the whole communication deal

anyways the other techs are helpful and really cool people. However, the Bs you will have to put up with is not worth it. Highly recommend you stay away from working here.

As a leading master distributor for all of the top equipment manufacturers, a position with Dana Safety Supply virtually guarantees success for those willing to work for it. 

As a General Manager for DSS I am provided with an incredibly stable platform to build a team on. Mutual trust and respect are a cornerstone of our organization, which translates directly to our customer base. Individuality is celebrated, and used to custom fit achievable goals. 

We support the men and women who have chosen to dedicate their lives to public safety. It’s a great feeling at the end of each day knowing you’ve provided equipment that could save a life. 

Is it an easy job?  No, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Those committed to succeeding WILL succeed, and performance is generously rewarded. The company will provide the tools and support to win, paired with the broad and deep support of our manufacturer partners. 

If you’re looking for a great place to continue a successful career, or take your first steps into what is a deeply fulfilling industry, join our winning team and grow with us!

The bottom line up front the juice is not worth the squeeze. It wasn't the job, it's that there was no formal training for the job. If you want me to learn as I go and FIGURE IT OUT then train me for success. Not to mention once you figure something out and start to think you got it, BOOM it changes or the part is not right and it's on YOU to figure it out. And if it's not done on time it's on you. I'll say they do incentivize good and fast work by giving you gift cards for meeting their monthly goal or having the biggest output of the company that quarter. It's just that if you're not seasoned or have previous SPECIFIC knowledge of the systems you're putting in, then you're going to have a really, really hard time making money from finishing it on time. They also need to get their sales in order, because I shouldn't be installing the same or more for the same price or less commission. 

Dana Safety has been the only company I have ever worked for that pays based on your performance. If you are a motivated, hard working individual  you get paid extremely well. If you are lazy, are not self motivated this is probably not the place for you.

Every day is extremely fast paced, sometimes stressful but a new experience every day. I have been with the company over a year now. This was by far the best career decision I have ever made. Management, from the CEO to all the general managers, has made me feel like family. Everybody associated with the company is always more than willing to assist with any problem I have encountered. The support from upper management is phenomenal. And the potential to earn a great salary is based on my performance and not some set pay scale or hourly rate.

Working at Dana is not the worst, but they really know how prioritize all the wrong things. When there are problems that are affecting productivity and profitability, upper management will blatantly state they don't see it the same way, even when you provide full details and evidence of the dozens of mistakes others have made causing the issues. People undeserving of promotions get them repeatedly for unknown reasons (sucking up to the CEO). They will open new shops and give them the newest and the best while other shops are neglected. There is favoritism and nepotism that gets in the way of most newcomers having a long and happy future here. This part may be unnecessary, but the people here also need to learn how to reply to one person instead of reply all. 


Dana Safety Supply is a great organization to work with. The management staff and corporate offices are excellent in communicating with employees and quick to resolve anything that comes up. Support to staff is excellent and prompt. Staff work well together and continue to always keep channels of communication open and are always there to work together and assist each other. Many positions are based upon productivity not being paid just to show up, which rewards the workers. Some days can be long, but having been in other industries where the same applies; Dana is by far the best company I've worked for in that regard, and they are always understanding of the employees needs.

As an outside sales representative I get to set my own hours and set my schedule based on customer(s) availability. I get to work with law enforcement professionals everyday and help them with any and all projects pertaining to their equipment needs. The pay and benefits are above average compared to other companies in the industry. The sky is the limit if you hustle. 
We have great management teams and our corporate leadership is very supportive of its employees. They are always working hard and smart to make sure we have everything we need to succeed no matter what position you are in within Dana Safety Supply.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Vehicle technician 9 salaries reported	$27.72 per hour
Installer 1 salary reported	$38.50 per hour
Warehouse worker 6 salaries reported	$25.50 per hour
Automotive glass technician 6 salaries reported	$29.17 per hour
Outside sales representative 7 salaries reported	$128,571 per year

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