For the fourth consecutive year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) has honored Metra for its safety initiatives. This year the organization singled out Metra’s Operation Lifesaver Safety Education and Outreach program, citing its efforts to educate many different audiences in Northeast Illinois about the dangers of disregarding grade crossing warning devices and trespassing.
Metra Operation Lifesaver team Police Lt. Tom Donegan and Public Safety Coordinator Larry Green received the AAR’s 2016 Rail Safety Leadership Award for their tireless efforts to promote rail safety to everyone from schoolchildren to driver’s education classes, professional drivers and emergency responders. The two conduct approximately 950 presentations annually, teaching thousands of people about the dangers of the railroad and how to stay safe.
The recognition came at the group’s annual Railroad Safety Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., on May 26. The event brings together railroads from around the country to highlight achievements in personal safety and injury prevention and provide a venue to share best practices.
“For years Tom and Larry have been on the front lines educating people across Northeast Illinois,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. “Their dedication to the program and their ability to adapt the safety message to any audience likely prevented countless tragic incidents along our railroad over the years.”
This is the fourth year in a row that Metra has been recognized for its best practices in safety. Last year, the AAR recognized Metra for “The Partnership,” a monthly newsletter promoting safety and operational excellence created through a joint effort by union and management employees. Metra was honored in 2014 the work of the Safety and Interactive Management team from Elgin and Metra’s 47th Street Diesel Shop team was honored in 2013 for working six years injury free.
