About Oregon
Operation Lifesaver
Our Mission
Oregon Operation
Lifesaver is a
not-for-profit Oregon
corporation that is part
of an international
family of organizations
devoted to ending tragic
collisions, fatalities
and injuries at
highway-railroad
crossings and on
railroad rights-of-way.
To accomplish our
mission, we promote the 3
E’s:
Education
Operation Lifesaver
strives to increase
public awareness about
the dangers around the
rails. The program seeks
to educate both drivers
and pedestrians to make
safe decisions at
crossings and around
railroad tracks.
Enforcement
Operation Lifesaver
promotes active
enforcement of traffic
laws relating to
crossing signs and
signals and private
property laws related to
trespassing.
Engineering
Operation Lifesaver
encourages continued
engineering research and
innovation to improve
the safety of railroad
crossings.
Our History
Oregon Operation
Lifesaver began in
October 1977, following
the lead of the state of
Idaho, home to the first
Operation Lifesaver,
founded in 1972. In
1978, the national
Operation Lifesaver
organization was created
to provide support for
the growing number of
state organizations. In
1986, Operation
Lifesaver Inc. (OLI),
became an independent
non-profit
organization. In 1994,
Oregon Operation
Lifesaver incorporated,
adopted by-laws, elected
officers and attained
non-profit tax-exempt
status as a 501(c)(3)
organization.
Since 1977, the number
of collisions at public
highway-railroad
crossings in Oregon as
steadily decreased,
despite an increases in
both train and motor
vehicle traffic. In
1977, a total of 149
crashes resulted in 11
fatalities and 37
injuries. Those
statistics have steadily
improved. Operation
Lifesaver’s public
awareness program is
considered to be a major
factor in reducing
collisions and incidents
involving trains.
Oregon
Operation Lifesaver
Today
Today, Oregon Operation
Lifesaver is one of 50
states and a growing
number of countries with
active Operation
Lifesaver programs.
Oregon OL is funded
almost entirely by
voluntary contributions
for Oregon’s railroads,
and a small amount of
grant money provided by
the Federal Railroad
Administration,
administered through OLI.
More than 40 Certified
Operation Lifesaver
Presenters volunteer
throughout the state of
Oregon, offering free
programs to a wide
variety of audiences.
Operation Lifesaver
Presenters receive
rigorous training and
have access to a range
of sophisticated
curriculum developed by
OLI. OLI is constantly
reviewing and improving
the materials designed
to educated children
from pre-school to
teens, mature drivers,
bicyclists and the
general public. Special
programs are available
for school bus drivers,
commercial drivers,
emergency responders,
and law enforcement.
Oregon Operation
Lifesaver is staffed by
a part-time State
Coordinator, Claudia L.
Howells. A Board of
Directors governs the
organization and a
Council provides input
on the program direction
of the organization.
Six Area Coordinators
support the State
Coordinator and OOL
throughout the state.
Want more information on
Operation Lifesaver Inc.
or national and state
statistics?
Go to
www.oli.org
Are you interested in
learning more about
Oregon Operation
Lifesaver, becoming a
volunteer, requesting a
presentation, or making
a financial
contribution?
Go to
www.oregonol.org.
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