Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Receives Donation from Posner Family Foundation
Washington, D.C. (February 6, 2019) – Millions of Americans will learn more about staying safe near trains from Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) thanks to a generous donation from the Posner Foundation of Pittsburgh.
OLI is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives by empowering the public to make safer choices near tracks and trains.
The funds will support four projects.
OLI will work with outside experts to understand, and appropriately communicate, suicide prevention initiatives. The goal is to effectively communicate about the sensitive subject with the public, partners and the media. The nonprofit will leverage the Federal Railroad Administration’s Trespass and Suicide Dashboard to target locations throughout the United States and tailor prevention messages to those communities.
Henry Posner III, chairman of the Iowa Interstate Railroad and Railroad Development Corporation and a trustee of the Posner Foundation of Pittsburgh, stated that the Posner Foundation was proud to support the work of OLI in both its traditional goals of reducing fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad rights-of-way, and the emerging field of suicide prevention.
The grant also funds the distribution of a public service announcement (PSA) about Emergency Notification System signs. The campaign will alert Americans to the existence of the newer, blue and white, signs posted at railroad crossings. They’re designed to help those experiencing emergencies at railroad crossings. The signs offer a phone number to call to reach railroad dispatchers, as well as location information, so approaching trains may be stopped. The PSA will be digitally distributed to news outlets throughout the country.
Other projects supported by the gift include additional resources for a competitive grant program that funds public education activities conducted by Operation Lifesaver State Programs and a new program to further support rail safety volunteer efforts throughout the United States.
“Our goal is to get to zero incidents at railroad crossings and along railroad tracks – zero fatalities and zero injuries. The driving force for this organization is saving lives and reducing preventable crossing, and trespass, incidents. This generous gift will make a tremendous impact on our ability to share our valuable safety messages,” says OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh.
Railroad Development Corp. has supported Operation Lifesaver over the years, ranging from Iowa Interstate employees’ service as community outreach volunteers, to Estonian Railways’ support of Operation Lifesaver Estonia.
“We invite you to get in touch with Operation Lifesaver State Coordinators to find out about the great initiatives happening in your state. Our website, oli.org, has information about your state program, as well as a range of rail safety education resources. You can also connect with us on the social networks,” says Maleh.
About Operation Lifesaver - Operation Lifesaver is a nonprofit public safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks. A national network of trained volunteers gives free presentations on rail safety and a public awareness campaign, “See Tracks? Think Train!” provides the public with tips and statistics to encourage safe behavior near the tracks. OLI leads an international observance of Rail Safety Week each September. Learn more about Rail Safety Week; follow OLI on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest.
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