Anyone work with Operation Lifesaver as a volunteer?

Trains Magazine General Discussion
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Operation Lifesaver (www.oli.org) gets support from most railroads but still depends on volunteers to become trained as presenters to go to schools and civic organizations to spread the word about the dangers of pedestrians who trespass on tracks or ignore crossing gates in cars/trucks.

Not only on this board, but others that deal with railroad & model railroad issues, I’ve recently seen threads about lawsuits against railroads by victim’s families. Most of the posts focus on “blame the parents/lawers/etc.” and none suggest ways to get the word out to schools, churches, civic organizations, etc.[sigh]

If everyone used the materials from OL with their own families, their local schools, etc. it would help.

So I am just curious as to whether anyone on this board is a certified presenter for Operation Lifesaver? (http://www.oli.org/presenters/Presenters-BecomeaPresenter.htm) If so, do you enjoy making the presentations? What sort of reactions did you get from the audience? Were the organizers appreciative of your effort and did they make a plan to revisit the information after you have moved on?

I am not certified, but I have worked with the O.L. contact person in my state (NJ) to prepare a set of training documents for the commercial drivers that my company supports through our safety programs (we distribute the training materials to appx. 5000 fleets around the USA through their insurance carriers) However, I am thinking about becoming certified after reading these news articles and recent posts.[tup]

There are a lot of great support materials at the OL web site - maybe during “bring your hobby to work day” everyone could also put up a poster or distribute flyers about grade crossing and pedestrian deaths?

If we all tried in our own areas and in our own ways to stomp out the problem, it would begin to make a difference.

Just my two cents.[:)]

Paul F.
Northern NJ

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With any kind of luck, I will be taking the training class and starting in June

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Jamie,

That’s great. I am sure your efforts to support OL will make a difference. OL also needs “helpers” beyond presenters, too. I hope that folks will each do their own part to get the word out about this mission.

Paul F.
Northern NJ

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Our pet-peeve out here is certain school administrators who determine that safety takes too much out of a school day and won’t do it.

Colorado OL Engineering Safety Team member

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Mudchicken:

Although a more preventative approach (ie. conduct training before someone dies) is the goal, I know that a lot of schools here in the NorthEast will sponsor a ton of safety rallies “after” a drinking and driving death of a student.

Any thoughts about sending emails of news local (state wide) news clippings related to grade crossing deaths, trespassing, etc. to spur a higher priority? Maybe its not practical (getting all the email addresses, etc.)

Its sad that school officials only agree to make time available “after” a death.

What else could railfans and enthusiasts be doing to help Operation Lifesaver locally?

Paul F.
Northern NJ

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My mom works at the DOT, and was contacted by the local OLI (or is it OLS) person, so I, too will be heading to training in June.
Anyone know about the OLS soecial where they videotape the looseres who try to race the train?

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To Railfanespee4449:

That’s great news about your training coming up. Thanks for getting involved.

Paul F.
Northern NJ