Operation Lifesaver Volunteers
Advance
Rail Safety Presentation Skills
Montreal,
Maine
& Atlantic Railway employee and Maine Operation Lifesaver
volunteer Norma Griffiths in April completed a four-day
presenter training trainer course. Norma (left) and Julie
Perkins (right) during
one of the learning exercises, were the two from New England in the
class which brought nine Operation Lifesaver presenters from
across the country to
South Portland
and who are now ready to train new volunteers to lead
presentations to the public on safety at railroad crossings and
along railroad right of way.
Five volunteers with Maine Operation Lifesaver recently took the
day-long certification
course to become presenters representing the organization. The
course included basic facts and figures related to railroad
safety, demonstrating safe and unsafe situations with the help
of visuals and props, speaking before different audiences, and
delivering a quality presentation. Working on a test during
workshop are from left, Jay Calnan of the Great Falls Model
Railroad Club; Mike Lee of the Amtrak Police Department;
personal care assistant Muriel Oakes; Maine O/L State
Coordinator Fred Hirsch; school bus transportation consultant
Harvey Boatman; and Gary Briggs of the Downeast Scenic Railroad.
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Highway-Rail Crossing
and Trespassing Incidents Drop Nationwide in 2007
Not only did railroad crossing crashes and
trespassing casualties decrease here in
Maine, but was reflected nationally,
too, according to Operation Lifesaver of Alexandria, Virginia,
and the Federal Railroad Administration.
Last year, 486 pedestrians nationwide were
killed along railroad tracks, a six percent drop compared with
518 in 2006, according to preliminary statistics released by the
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The number of pedestrians
injured while on the tracks declined 17 percent from 472 in 2006
to 393 in 2007.
Total vehicle-train collisions at
highway-rail grade crossings also fell from 2,931 in 2006 to
2,728, down seven percent, in 2007. There were 339 fatalities
involving trains and a car or truck last year, 30 fewer
than in 2006, or a decrease of eight percent. Those injured in
crossing crashes totaled 986, down six percent from 1,047 in
2006, according to the FRA.
“This good news is a direct result of the
ongoing safety partnership among federal, state and local
governments, law enforcement agencies, traffic safety
organizations and rail companies,” said Operation Lifesaver,
Inc. President Helen M. Sramek. “Operation Lifesaver’s trained
and certified volunteer presenters, who provide safety
presentations tailored to specific audiences, are an important
part of this partnership,” she noted.
Even
with the improvements in these safety numbers, Sramek said, the
need for rail safety education remains more important than ever
to ensure the public’s safety.
“The
number of pedestrians killed in rail-related incidents each year
continues to exceed deaths resulting from vehicle-train
collisions. That’s why Operation Lifesaver is expanding our
trespass prevention outreach in local communities,” said Sramek.