BNSF News

BNSF Activities Show Support for International Level Crossing Awareness Day

2013-05-31

Over the last few weeks, BNSF employees throughout the network participated in a wide range of activities in support of International Level (Grade) Crossing Awareness Day, which was May 7.

The range of events varied from state to state and included Officer on the Train programs, Operation Lifesaver presentations, hands-on training for emergency responders, and safety broadcasts during professional baseball games, BNSF and other railroads partnered with Operation Lifesaver providing the public with information about grade-crossing safety.

In the Northwest Division, David Agee, manager, Field Safety Support, and Gus Melonas, regional director, Public Affairs, worked on a myriad of activities. Agee coordinated first-responder training in Aberdeen, Wash., and Granger, Wash. He also coordinated a special day at the zoo in Portland, Ore., focused on rail safety.

Melonas worked with Root Sports, the broadcasting company of the Seattle Mariners, to coordinate rail safety messages to be broadcast over a five-state area during Mariners' games.

In the Chicago Division, BNSF conducted a modified Officer on the Train event. Instead of having an officer on the train itself, local law enforcement monitored traffic at several intersections from downtown Chicago to Aurora, Ill., in conjunction with other activities on the train.

"A number of citations were issued along the route," said Ron Simpson, coordinator, Field Safety Support. "We also plan to hold similar events throughout the summer."

Union Station in Chicago is the busiest commuter depot in the nation with more than 100 commuter trains per day. Simpson worked closely with Rush Rudolph, senior special agent, to coordinate this event and other rail safety activity. "During the summer months, we have a lot of commuters who need to be reminded about safety around rail platforms and the rails."

On the California Division, grade-crossing collision investigation training was given to several law enforcement agencies in cooperation with the Corona, Calif., police. Ronnie Garcia, manager, Field Safety Support, said some of the training had to be postponed because of rain, but overall, the training went very well.

In Riverside, BNSF worked with Operation Lifesaver to conduct a poster campaign. Posters were left at high schools, colleges, bussing companies and trucking companies.

Becky Michalkiewicz, a representative of Operation Lifesaver, said the volunteers made 27 visits.

In Fresno, Calif., 58 enforcement contacts were made with the focus primarily on grade crossing violations, said Steve Ring, senior special agent, who coordinated BNSF activities in Fresno. An educational booth to spread the word about rail safety was set up at the Fresno Amtrak station.

Fred Payne, coordinator, Field Safety Support, helped to coordinate another area in Fresno near railroad tracks with a rail safety poster blitz. "BNSF employees and other rail coalition members canvassed a large area in Fresno on foot, talking to business owners in the community about rail safety and distributing safety posters and fliers in business establishments," Ring said.

In all, BNSF employees participated in 11 Officer on the Train events, four grade-crossing collision investigation classes and a variety of trespasser blitzes and other presentations.

"The grade crossing safety public awareness campaign originated in Europe in 2009 and has now spread to 42 countries. BNSF is honored to be part of this campaign and pleased with the sheer number of activities across the country," said Mark Schulze, vice president, Safety, Training and Operations Support. "Our field safety support employees are a great team and work with leaders in their communities all year to help spread the word about safety around the rails."

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