Industry News
Swimming Pool Collapse Kills Worker in Orange County
Swimming Pool Collapse Kills Pool Contractor in Orange County
California emergency workers recovered the body of a man buried in the collapse of a swimming pool under construction. Firefighters filled the streets of a gated Orange County community Saturday, December 19, 2020. They removed the body of a man who had died after being buried under soil that collapsed on top of him and a crew that were excavating an area for an inground swimming pool, authorities said.
Swimming Pool Collapse Buries Pool Contractor Luciano Gonzalez Munoz
The victim, a pool contractor identified as Luciano Gonzalez Munoz, 45, died as he was digging a swimming pool wall for a project that he was working on , according to Supervising Deputy Coroner Larry Esslinger.
Firefighters had to bring in an outside commercial construction company with a massive crane in order to help them haul out tons of dirt and debris from the backyard in the 6200 block of Cliffway Drive.
Orange FD confirms a worker died after he was buried under soil that collapsed on him while working in hole excavated to install a backyard swimming pool on Cliffway Drive. About 75 personnel are on scene attempting to recover the body. Story coming. @ocregister
— Nathan Percy (@NDPercy) December 19, 2020
Early Sunday morning, experts brought in the crane attached to a 3,000 pound rectangular steel drum. Workers then used the drums to scoop out enough dirt in order recover the mans body. The huge crane itself blocked off most of the street for hours and left the entire area congested with police and fire vehicles.
The man was buried midmorning while building a pool wall on Saturday. O’Connor said firefighters got an emergency 9-11 call about a man trapped in a collapsed pool at the home just before 11 a.m. By the time they arrived, other workers were already at the site desperately trying to dig out the man. The victim was buried up to his neck complained of having difficulty breathing.
Concerned about the unstable soil of the cliffside, the firefighters evacuated workers, then began digging themselves. Approximately 30 minutes later, a second collapse caused the victim to be completely buried. After several hours without being able to communicate with the man, the fire crews switched the operation from a rescue to a body recovery. Coroner’s officials and Cal OSHA were investigating.
O’Connor said the fire department had trauma counselors on standby to talk to the man’s coworkers and boss who immediately came to the job site. The unfortunate homeowners, were also apparently home throughout the entire ordeal, were also visited by the crisis counseling team.
Industry News
JED Pool Tools Receives Excellence Award
JED Pool Tools, manufacturer of swimming pool maintenance equipment and accessories, was pleased to recently receive a ‘Customer Excellence Award’ from Estes Freight company, the largest privately held freight transportation company in North America. This award recognizes customers that demonstrate strong shipment values, revenue growth, and foster a collaborative relationship. This award celebrates a few select customers for outstanding engagement, enabling a strategic partnership, and committing to mutual success.
“We’re pleased to earn such high recognition from a leader like Estes,” said Glenn Jonelunas Manager of Warehouse Operations at JED Pool Tools. “We’re honored to be recognized for this award, which is a reflection of the well-established and trusted partnership we’ve built together.”
The Estes Customer Excellence Award was created to recognize and celebrate customers who exemplify outstanding collaboration, commitment and service. Estes presented JED Pool Tools with a celebratory cake and plaque.
About JED Pool Tools
JED Pool Tools has been making high-quality pool tools and pool accessories in the USA for 30 years. JED Pool Tools sells over 400 different products including residential and commercial skimmers, leaf rakes, poles, wall brushes and vacuum heads as well as hoses and through-wall skimmer parts. JED is a family-run company with 3-generations of Heyen family working for the company and is committed to creating and providing jobs for residents of Scranton, PA. JED isproud of and committed to manufacturing in the USA, many it its own facility in Scranton, PA. To learn more about the company and its products visit www.JEDPoolTools.com.
About Estes
Estes is North America’s largest privately owned freight carrier. As an asset-based transportation provider with a global footprint, Estes combines nearly a century of regional freight shipping expertise with the resources, reach, and reliability of a national carrier. Backed by its more than 300 North American terminals and nearly 7,000 next-day lanes, as well as its fleet of more than 10,500 tractors, Estes is committed to getting America’s freight where it needs to go, when it needs to get there. And with its continued investment in leading-edge technology, as well as the support of its more than 24,000 employees. To learn more about Estes visit www.estes-express.com.
Industry News
AquaCal AutoPilot and Devin Cahn Associates Join Forces
ST. PETERSBURG, FL ‒ We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership between AquaCal AutoPilot, Inc. and Devin Cahn Associates (DCA)—a highly respected sales agency with deep roots in the pool and spa industry.
Beginning next month, DCA will represent AquaCal and AutoPilot products in key markets across the U.S. Their team brings trusted relationships, real-world experience, and a hands-on approach that aligns with how we do business.
Founded by Devin Cahn, a long-time leader in the pool and spa space with over 40 years of industry experience, DCA has grown into a national team of professional reps focused on building strong relationships and driving results.
👉 Learn more about DCA
Please join us in welcoming the DCA team to the AquaCal AutoPilot family.
We’re looking forward to a strong partnership built on shared values, expert support, and continued growth.
Media Contact:
Michiko Prussing
Product Manager AquaCal AutoPilot, Inc.
Industry News
RB Retail Software Appoints Sleeman to Lead Business Sales
MONROEVILLE, PA – RB Retail & Service Solutions software, supplier of business software designed specifically for the pool and spa industry, is pleased to announce it has hired Taylor Sleeman as the company’s new Business Sales Consultant. In this new role, Sleeman partners with pool and spa companies to help them modernize and grown their business operations. “I take a consultative approach to sales by focusing on understanding each company’s challenges and aligning these needs with the RB Retail & Service software tools to improve efficiency and profitability for pool and spa businesses,” says Sleeman who has over 10 years of sales experience and a proven track record of helping businesses adopt technology that drives measurable growth.
“We are very pleased to have Taylor on our team as she has already connected with many pool and spa businesses to help adopt and implement our industry-specific software for the 2026 season,” says Rachael Pritz, Vice President for the company. “She is already an invaluable asset to our company.” To contact Taylor and learn more about how RB Retail & Service Solutions software can help your pool and spa business this coming season, email [email protected].
866-933-9099
Monroeville, PA
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That’s so sad. Praying for the family.
Which swimming pool company did the guy work for?