New Jersey State Operation Life Saver

After many months of phone conversations the New Jersey State Legislative Board attended its first meeting of New Jersey State Operation Life Saver on June 10, 2003. The quarterly meeting was held at the CSX Intermodal building at South Kearny NJ.

In attendance were several Police Officers representing most of the Class I Carriers in the State. The State Chairman, Todd Hirt, welcomed us and stated that he was glad that our craft was represented at the meeting. Others in attendance included representatives of Short Line operations, and New Jersey Transit.

The State Committee has been working very hard over the last few years to bring the program up to its full potential. As a result, one of the topics for discussion was an award program that involved presenting tickets to the Trenton Thunder Minor League Baseball games. Working with a tight budget, the Committee was wrestling with how to fund such an event.

Given the limited funding the program has and benefits of the baseball event, the BLE Legislative Board offered to purchase a block of tickets to be used at a future date. Our offer was greatly appreciated and plans were put in motion to purchase and dispense the tickets.

The plan was to conduct its normal program presentation to two Trenton area YMCA camps. As recognition for participation, campers were to be presented with a ticket to an upcoming game. At the conclusion of the meeting, it was uncertain if the plan could be implemented during the current 2003 baseball season.

The interest of the BLE State Legislative Board in Operation LifeSaver was to find out if our craft was playing any significant role in the program. Since the Locomotive Engineer is usually the only other person involved in a trespass situation, or a highway grade crossing incident, it is our opinion, that a Locomotive Engineer can provide a perspective on the potential tragedy which others only encounter after the fact. It was learned that the OLS Committee did not know of any currently involved Engineers in New Jersey.

So went our first contact with New Jersey Committee for Operation LifeSaver.

September 9, 2003: At an abbreviated quarterly meeting of the NJ OLS Committee, it was learned that the tickets purchased by the BLE State Legislative Board for a Trenton Thunder baseball game was a major success. We were hearty thanked for our benevolence and discussions centered on how and when other similar events would be managed.

Another topic of discussion was an upcoming training class for Level One Presenters. This is the category of trainer who goes out to the public schools and community organizations and gives a short presentation on the dangers and hazards of being on or near the tracks.

LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER,WILLING TO DONATE A FEW HOURS PER MONTH TO INSURE THE SAFETY AND WELLBING OF

ANY CHILD OR MOTORIST IN PROXIMITY TO A TRAIN OR LOCOMOTIVE.

APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER TO ATTEND A ONE DAY TRAINING COURSE TO PREPARE YOU TO GIVE INFORMATIVE AND LIFE SAVING PRESENTATION. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.

CLASS TO BE HELD IN NOVEMBER 2003.

CONTACT : KEN MICHEL AT (201)-342-1442 OR KGMICHEL@AOL.COM