Look, Listen and Live!

Transcription

1 Look, Listen and Live! N. Harrell s Ferry Rd., Baton Rouge, LA Phone FAX Operation Lifesaver and Enforcement Promote Safety Last year 95 Louisiana citizens were killed or injured in crashes at highway-rail crossings or on railroad tracks. Operation Lifesaver (OL) encourages all drivers and pedestrians to obey laws near railroad crossings and tracks, said Pat Edwards, executive director of Louisiana Operation Lifesaver. Operation Lifesaver provides speakers for free safety presentations, materials for audiences of any profession and age group, along with resources on its websites, or Our organization works closely with local law enforcement officials and Louisiana State Police to strengthen public safety in our communities. We participate in public safety events statewide, distributing educational Louisiana Rail Safety Week October 3-9, 2011 Contact LA OL to schedule a presentation and learn how you can help to reduce injuries and fatalities at railroad crossings and tracks! brochures and information on railroad safety, said Edwards. Some enforcement officials around Louisiana are certified OL Presenters who share our railroad safety message when they speak to schools, civic groups, and other organizations, said Edwards. Others are additionally certified to teach Grade Crossing Collision Investigation (GCCI) courses, which train law enforcement personnel on response and investigation of railroad crashes. Capt. Eddie Thibodeaux, director of training and professional development for the St. Landry Parish Sheriff s Office, is an OL Presenter and GCCI Instructor. Thibodeaux knows firsthand the importance of Operation Lifesaver and law enforcement working together. The number of vehicletrain crashes, fatalities, and injuries have reduced in St. Landry Parish since the department became involved with Operation Lifesaver. Speaking to civic clubs, school bus drivers, and first responders on railroad safety, along with teaching courses to new police recruits at the academy, said Thibodeaux, has increased awareness of railroad safety in St. Landry Parish. When you couple together such a great life-saving organization with law enforcement, lives will be saved. Thibodeaux added, The reduc- tion in crashes would not be possible without drivers accepting the public safety message and obeying the crossing laws. The following points are important to remember to reduce injuries and fatalities near railroad crossings. Drivers must yield at the railroad crossing. The cross buck sign (white X with black letters Railroad Crossing ) means yield. Proceed across the railroad tracks only when it is safe to do so. It is illegal to drive around or through lowered gates at a crossing. It is illegal to proceed through a crossing when the signal lights are flashing and a train is visible and in hazardous proximity. It is illegal to stop a vehicle on railroad tracks. Drivers should stop at the stop line if pavement markings are present, or 15 feet away from the nearest rail. Train tracks are the private property of the railroad that owns them. Walking, jogging, cycling or any other activity on railroad tracks is trespassing and subject to ticketing or fines. Operation Lifesaver needs your help to save lives, said Edwards. To schedule a speaker for your organization or to become certified as a presenter, visit org, patricia.edwards@la.gov, or call

2 Operation Lifesaver Hosts Safety Exhibits at Louisiana State Police Public Safety Expos... Jim Herring, Union Pacific special agent, talks with Johnnie Long and Robert King, both drivers with Wal-Mart and Operation Lifesaver Presenters, prior to the Louisiana State Police Public Safety Expo in Monroe on July 9. Other OL Presenters helping with the event exhibit were Paula Anunciation and Billy Fuller. Visitors at the Louisiana State Police Public Safety Expo in Alexandria on May 7 receive railroad safety information from Jim Herring, special agent with Union Pacific Railroad. OL Presenters Billy Fuller, Claire Carothers, and Richard Washington also participated in the event.... and Law Enforcement Annual Conferences Police Chiefs from Melville, Maringouin and other Louisiana communities visit the Operation Lifesaver exhibit in Baton Rouge. Law enforcement officers from around the state attended the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference held on July 2627, and received information on railroad safety. Pat Edwards, LA OL executive director/state coordinator, hosted the exhibit booth. Page 2 Look, Listen and Live! Ann Coston, Operation Lifesaver Presenter, shares rail safety materials with a guest at the Louisiana Sheriffs and Wardens Training Conference and Exhibition held on July in New Orleans. Jim Bigfoot Bellmyer and Pat Edwards were also on hand at the safety exhibit.

3 OLI Develops E-Learning Program to Reinforce Railroad Safety for Professional Truck Drivers Are you looking for a free, fun and educational method to train drivers on safe driving skills at railroad crossings? Navigating safely at a highway-rail crossing is a challenge, but one that can be met by knowing what to do as you approach and clear the crossing. Operation Lifesaver, the go-to source for rail safety education, is now offering a state-of-the-art e-learning program designed specifically for professional truck drivers. With Million Mile Safe drivers on the design team, OL s ProDriver Challenge puts drivers behind the wheel for a virtual trip down the road. Drivers independently maneuver through three worstcase scenarios that require quick thinking and critical decision-making, including a pedestrian crossing option to Helen s Diner. In addition, drivers gain safety experience without incurring injuries, fatalities, or fleet damage. You can drive through the three scenarios as many times as you wish to improve your score. Once you successfully complete the three scenarios, you will become a member of the Haul of Fame! Companies that wish to include the program in their LMS training systems should contact Louisiana Operation Lifesaver, or patricia.edwards@la.gov, for more information. You can access the program at by clicking on ProDriver E-Learning in the Quick Links box in the upper left corner of the home page. Operation Lifesaver Presenters promoting rail safety to their companies in Louisiana are: Dupre Logistics -- Grady Hunt, Stephen Murray, Patrick Murphy, Shane Pitre Tango Transportation -- Tim Briery United Vision Logistics -- Glenn Gary WalMart Transportation -- Donald Glover, Joseph Guidry Jr., Robert King, Johnnie Long, Scott Reed, Michael Sumlin WalMart Includes Operation Lifesaver Railroad Message in Committed to Safety Program WalMart transportation safety manager Scott Reed and five WalMart drivers in Louisiana have been certified as Operation Lifesaver Presenters to incorporate rail safety into their safety program, Committed to Safety. WalMart offers this program to teach young drivers to be alert around trucks on the road. In the photo at left, OL Presenters/WalMart drivers Robert King and Johnnie Long demonstrate the truck driver s blind spots to a group of teens at a Community Emergency Response Teens (CERT) youth camp in Bunkie, Louisiana. Along with PowerPoint presentations on safety, students were able to sit in the cab of the truck to learn what the driver can see on the road and how to share the road safely with big trucks. Page 3 Look, Listen and Live!

4 Louisiana Municipal Association Booth Visitors at the Operation Lifesaver safety booth at the Louisiana Municipal Association annual convention in Shreveport on August 4-5 received our railroad safety message. At left, Melinda West encourages conference attendees to access the LA OL website to request a presentation. Other OL Presenters who helped with the event were: Andrew Barganier, Billy Fuller, Lawrence Henagan, Charles Jones, Louis Metcalf, Jerald Scott, and Roger West. Louisiana Farm Bureau Booth Operation Lifesaver hosted a safety booth at the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting in July in New Orleans, to promote safety at railroad crossing and rights-of-way to the agricultural community and to commodity groups in the state. To specifically reach sugar cane drivers prior to harvest season, Pat Edwards spoke to researchers and extension agents at the St. Gabriel Sugar Research Station in May, and distributed rail safety information to participants of the American Society of Sugar Cane Technologists conference in June. An article on rail safety will be printed in the September issue of The Sugar Bulletin of the American Sugar Cane League. What is Operation Lifesaver? Operation Lifesaver, Inc. is a national, non-profit safety education group whose goal is to eliminate deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and along railroad rights of way. Operation Lifesaver s trained and certified presenters give free safety talks to community groups, schools, school bus drivers, truck drivers and community organizations to raise awareness of the need for caution around railroad tracks and trains. Look, Listen and Live! is a quarterly publication of Louisiana Operation Lifesaver, Inc., and is archived at Requests or inquiries should be sent to: Louisiana Operation Lifesaver, Inc North Harrell s Ferry Rd. Baton Rouge, LA patricia.edwards@la.gov Phone FAX Web -- Request a Free Railroad Safety Presentation You can help to promote safety near railroads! Contact us today! To request a free personalized Operation Lifesaver presentation for your business, school, church, or organization, please submit the online form on our website at or contact Pat Edwards, La. State Coordinator at or patricia.edwards@la.gov. Presentations can be customized for any age group or profession with targeted PowerPoint visuals, charts, brochures, and videos. More than 100 certified Operation Lifesaver Presenters in Louisiana are available to speak to your organization. You can make a difference! Page 4 Look, Listen and Live!

5 Amtrak National Train Day SIGN ME UP! I want to be a certified Operation Lifesaver Presenter! Amtrak s National Train Day was held at Union Station in New Orleans on May 7. Operation Lifesaver was invited to participate with an exhibit to educate visitors and travelers at the station on rail safety issues. Along with the safety table, an Operation Lifesaver Theater was set up in the lounge where people could view OL videos and PSAs. For the youngsters, a crossbuck assembly with gate and flashing lights and a big-wheel tricycle allowed OL volunteers to teach them about safety at railroad crossings, as well as trespass information. OL Presenters (l-r top left photo) Ann Coston, Jim Bigfoot Bellmyer, and Don Coward, share information with a traveler. In the photo at right, Tommy Schmitt and his son Matthew, along with Pat Edwards, operate the crossing gate and lights for this young driver. LASTA Steam Fest Please visit Complete the online form, or print and return the Louisiana Presenter Questionnaire Form to the State Coordinator as directed. I want to be an Operation Lifesaver Donor! To support Louisiana Operation Lifesaver, complete this form and return to: Louisiana Operation Lifesaver N. Harrell s Ferry Rd. Baton Rouge, LA Name Address Phone Amount enclosed $ The Louisiana Steam Train Association held their annual Steam Fest on May on the Mississippi River side of the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. Louisiana Operation Lifesaver hosted a safety table to provide information to the visitors on hand to tour the Southern Pacific 745. Photo by Patti Abbott Page 5 Look, Listen and Live! Make your check payable to: Louisiana Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Louisiana Operation Lifesaver is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Donations are taxdeductible according to federal and state tax regulations. Consult your tax advisor.

6 Operation Lifesaver Presenter Update Classes Held Statewide Presenter Update Classes were held in August for Louisiana Operation Lifesaver Presenters to learn the latest information from the national office, see the new ATV and tubing visuals, and get a refresher on presentation planning and techniques. Special thanks are extended to the Louisiana State Police for hosting the LA OL classes in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Bossier City, Kenner, Lake Charles, and Mandeville. Thanks are also extended to the St. Landry Parish Sheriff s Training Facility for hosting the Opelousas class. State Coordinator Pat Edwards encouraged Presenters to focus on making their OL presentations relevant and memorable to their audience, using resources to enhance their presentations with a take-home message to share. Time was provided for Presenters to visit and to discuss any questions or concerns, including an impromptu Power- Point tutorial in one class. October 3-9 was announced as Louisiana Rail Safety Week, and Presenters were encouraged to take advantage of the event to promote rail safety with presentations and activities in their communities during the week. Edwards concluded the class by thanking the OL Presenters for their passion and dedication to promote rail safety in Louisiana and neighboring states. Bossier City -- August 3 Front row, l-r -- Charles Jones, Louis Metcalf, Jennifer Washington, Frankie Morris, Pat Edwards Back row, l-r -- Andrew Barganier, Michael West, Richard Washington, Jerald Scott, Jess Kilgore Bossier City -- August 3 Front row, l-r -- Billy Fuller, Roger West, Melinda West, J.R. Smith Back row, l-r -- Stephen Prator Jr., Donny Brokenberry, Cordell Williams, David Henagan Kenner -- August 9 Left to right -- Jon Gras, Carol Gassen, Melissa Matey, Claude Maher, Jim Bigfoot Bellmyer, Tommy Schmitt, Bryan Zeringue, Ann Coston Mandeville -- August 16 Left to right -- Ellis Cattan, Nick Manale, Leslie Durio, John Nette, Mike Trosclair Page 6 Look, Listen and Live!

7 Baton Rouge -- August 11 Left to right -- Seresa Corbin, Russell Graham, Cindy Crawford, Sarah Edwards, Joanna Thomas Alexandria -- August 24 Front row, l-r -- Claire Carothers, Denise Lewis Back row, l-r -- Steve Ezell, Scott Moreau, Louis Bangma, Mike Guidry, James Drayton Baton Rouge -- August 11 Left to right -- David McFarland, LC Thomas, Kevin Perkins, Joey Stein, Karla Courtade Opelousas -- August 29 Left to right -- Robert King, Scott Reed, Donald Glover, Stephen Hammons, Johnnie Long Opelousas -- August 29 Lake Charles -- August 31 Left to right -- Joseph Guidry, Glenn Gary, Katherine Fontenette, William Thibodeaux, Michael Kazerooni Page 7 Left to right -- Patrick Murphy, Barbara McManus, James Anderson, Frances Byler, Lawrence Henagan, Eddie Langley Look, Listen and Live!

8 Operation Lifesaver Presenter Certification Become an OL Certified Presenter You can share our safety message to reduce injuries and fatalities near railroad crossings and railroad rights-of-way. To become a certified Operation Lifesaver Presenter, complete and submit the online form at Two students participated in the June 21-22, 2011 OL Presenter Certification Class in New Orleans, Louisiana. Left to right Jonathan Gras, Timothy Minott, and instructor Richard Washington Presenter Certification Classes February April 5-6 June August November 1-2 December 6-7 Shreveport Lafayette New Orleans Alexandria Baton Rouge Shreveport The August 23-24, 2011, OL Presenter Certification Class was held in Alexandria, Louisiana, with four student participants. Left to right Eric Irwin, W.J. Ledet, David Boudreaux, and Jeff Pharris. Louisiana Highway-Rail and Trespass Statistics (6/30) Hwy-Rail Incidents Hwy-Rail Fatalities Hwy-Rail Injuries Trespass Fatalities Trespass Injuries Louisiana Operation Lifesaver Presentations (as of 8/31/2011) Audience Type Presentations Audience All Driver Education* 248 5,828 EMS/Firefighters 8 80 General Adult 172 4,841 General High School 41 1,372 K thru Grade ,764 Law Enforcement Pre-K/Head Start 40 2,038 Professional Driver -- Buses Professional Driver -- Truck 59 1,177 School Bus Driver 45 3,549 TOTALS ,005 *bold denotes Target Audience Page 8 Look, Listen and Live!