NORTHERN KENTUCKY CONVENTION CENTER HOSTS OPERATION LIFESAVER RAIL SAFETY SYMPOSIUM, JULY 21-23, 2008

Contact: Marmie T. Edwards, APR
(703) 739-0284
Email: medwards@oli.org

NORTHERN KENTUCKY CONVENTION CENTER HOSTS OPERATION LIFESAVER RAIL SAFETY SYMPOSIUM, JULY 21-23, 2008

COVINGTON, Ky., July 18, 2008-Vice Admiral Thomas Barrett, USCG (Ret.), Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, will address safety advocates from across the U.S. and around the world here July 21 at the opening session of the 15th International Operation Lifesaver (OL) Symposium and Training Seminars. Operation Lifesaver, a national, non-profit educational group started in 1972, is North America's highway-rail safety awareness organization, working to reduce casualties at highway-rail crossings and along train tracks.

Preliminary government statistics show that in 2007, Ohio and Kentucky ranked among the top 15 states nationwide in collisions between vehicles and trains at railroad crossings, as well as in the number of people killed in those collisions.

"Operation Lifesaver's volunteers work every day to reduce collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights-of-way. In our organization's 36th year, we're in the greater Cincinnati area to build ‘Bridges to Safety' during our biannual Symposium," said Operation Lifesaver, Inc. President Helen M. Sramek, who will also address the attendees.

In addition to Deputy Secretary Barrett, who will talk on the topic "Taking Ownership of Safety," other major speakers slated to address the Symposium include Mike "Stinger" Glenn, Former NBA Star, Author and Deaf Advocate (Monday, July 21, 3 pm); and Carlos Alvarez, Training Consultant, Tero International, Inc. (Wednesday, July 23, 8 am).

The workshop sessions will feature the newest techniques for reaching audiences of all ages with vital safety information, and provide updates on the latest technology, educational tools, and enforcement techniques in highway-rail safety and pedestrian rail trespass prevention.

This year's Symposium also includes exhibitors for the first time: Quixote Corporation, Texas Transportation Institute, Rio Grande Pacific Corp., Union Switch & Signal, and Transpo Industries, Inc. In addition, there will be an information booth on Operation Lifesaver's safety education programs for light rail and commuter rail systems.

Last year in Kentucky there were 75 vehicle-train collisions at highway-rail grade crossings, resulting in 9 deaths and 20 injuries. In addition, there were 5 pedestrian rail trespass fatalities statewide and 4 injuries, according to preliminary federal statistics. In Ohio, 120 vehicle-train collisions last year resulted in 8 deaths and 40 injuries; an additional 20 pedestrians were killed and 17 injured along the tracks.

Operation Lifesaver's trained and certified presenters throughout the U.S. and Canada speak to community groups, schools, school bus drivers, truck drivers and other organizations to raise awareness of the need for caution around railroad tracks and trains. Kentucky Operation Lifesaver's State Coordinator is Wayne Gentry, 502-896-8023, or http://kyol.org; Ohio Operation Lifesaver's State Coordinator is Shel Senek, 614-771-3071. For more information or to schedule a presentation, contact OL at 800-537-6224, or visit the website at www.oli.org.