Saving lives near train track is focus of Operation Lifesaver Conference, May 14-15
(Source: Operation Lifesaver press release, April 30, 2014)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rail safety education leaders from across the U.S. and around the world will gather in Albuquerque May 14-15 for Operation Lifesaver, Inc.’s (OLI,www.oli.org) Leadership Conference at the Embassy Suites Albuquerque Hotel. The theme of this year’s conference, which echoes the national rail safety nonprofit’s recently-launched public awareness campaign, is “See Tracks? Think Train!”
Program highlights include addresses by Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo and National Transportation Safety Board Acting Chair Christopher Hart; in addition, campaign spokespersons Mark Kalina Jr., who lost both legs in a train incident, and Russ Fletcher, KCS Railway engineer, will talk about why they endorse the campaign.
WHAT – Operation Lifesaver Leadership Conference, Theme: See Tracks? Think Train!
WHY – Federal statistics show that about every three hours in the United States, a person or vehicle is hit by a train. Recent train-related fatalities in Albuquerque and Santa Fe point up the need for increased public awareness of the dangers near tracks and trains. The conference will explore the latest information and innovations for improving safety at railroad crossings and along railroad rights-of-way.
WHEN/WHERE – Wednesday, May 14, 1-5 p.m. and Thursday, May 15, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Embassy Suites Albuquerque Hotel, 1000 Woodward Place NE, Albuquerque.
OTHER SPEAKERS/TOPICS – 5/14: Motivational speaker, skier, climber, and mountaineer Eric Alexander; 5/15: Trespass Panel – Research & New Initiatives; Social Media panel; Transit Safety Panel; International Update panel.
MORE INFO – Visit Operation Lifesaver’s national website for safety tips and statistics: www.oli.org. Visit www.SeeTracksThinkTrain.org for infographics, campaign PSAs, and more.