Second-Annual ENS Sign Awareness Day Campaign Educates Millions About the Blue and White Sign
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 19, 2026 – Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), Operation Lifesaver state programs and federal, state and local partners reached millions of people during the second-annual Emergency Notification System (ENS) Sign Awareness Day on June 24. Together they shared lifesaving rail safety education information, helping people know what to do when stuck on tracks at a rail crossing.
Traditional media was instrumental in spreading the rail safety education message. Across earned media coverage alone, the potential audience reach was estimated at 77.6 million people. Over 4.3 million people heard about the ENS sign through radio news coverage. In addition, 25 broadcast media mentions in key state outlets reached more than 258,000 local television viewers.
“These statistics demonstrate the significant reach of the ENS Sign Awareness Day message, and they do not even include the number of people educated through in-person events organized by Operation Lifesaver State Coordinators and partners,” said OLI Executive DirectorRachel Maleh. “We are immensely grateful to all those who worked to #STOPTrackTragedies by sharing information about the Blue and White sign. These efforts save lives.”
OLI’s ENS Sign Awareness Day Report captures highlights from the campaign, sharing partner images and additional statistics. View the report by clicking here.
ENS Sign Awareness Day helps the public understand the purpose of the Blue and White ENS sign, which is located at railroad crossings. Campaign messaging also explains where to find the ENS sign and how to use it in an emergency. Next year’s event will take place June 24, 2027.
OLI encourages everyone to continue sharing information about the Blue and White ENS sign throughout the year. If there is an emergency at a railroad crossing and your vehicle is stuck on tracks, remember:
- Get everyone out of the vehicle and far away from the tracks immediately, even if you do not see a train.
- Find the Blue and White ENS sign and call the phone number on it.
- Share the crossing ID number with the dispatcher who answers the phone.
- No sign? Call 911.
“Even though ENS Sign Awareness Day has passed, we should not stop talking about the Blue and White sign,” said Maleh. “Instead, we should share this message every day, because every day people encounter highway-rail grade crossings. We can help empower everyone to make safe choices around tracks and trains and know what to do if there is an emergency at a crossing.”
OLI thanks everyone who participated in ENS Sign Awareness Day 2026 and shared the message about the Blue and White sign with those in their communities. Please save the date for next year's ENS Sign Awareness Day, taking place on Thursday, June 24, 2027. And in the meantime, be sure to continue sharing information about the Blue and White sign!
OLI's ENS Sign Awareness Day webpage is live year-round, offering an easy way to access all of OLI's ENS graphics, PSAs and more. Request a free rail safety education presentation or become an Operation Lifesaver Authorized Volunteer (OLAV).
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About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) is a national #RailSafetyEducation nonprofit dedicated to stopping track tragedies through public awareness and education campaigns as well as a national volunteer network that gives free presentations encouraging safe behavior near tracks and trains. OLI supports the efforts of 47 state programs and the District of Columbia in sharing the rail safety education message. Visit oli.org to learn more, take a rail safety pledge, request free presentations, volunteer and explore OLI's virtual library of rail safety education materials. Follow OLI on social media via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X and YouTube.
