Page 6 - Operation Lifesaver Estonia / Annual Report 2012
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© Operation Lifesaver is a international, non-profit education and awareness program dedicated to ending
tragic collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad rights of way.
Founded in Estonia on 19 November 2004 -
In 1980s
(2nd half) the subject of public railway safety
was suspended.
In 1990-2000
the matter of public railway safety was not
addressed in Estonia.
In 2000-2002
Estonian Railways Ltd organised from time
to time safety campaigns; however, such activities were
not regular
In 2003
Herbert Payne
, Chairman and Managing Director
of Estonian Railways Ltd, decided to have a railway
safety presenter trained by Operation Lifesaver Inc., an
international organisation dealing with railway safety;
the person chosen was company’s Head of Security
Tamo Vahemets.
In 2004
,
during a symposium which took place in San
Antonio (Texas, USA) in July 2004
Gerri Hall
, President
of Operation Lifesaver Inc., authorised Tamo Vahemets
to establish in Estonia an organisation introducing the
policies of Operation Lifesaver.
* 19 November 2004 Estonian Railways Ltd,
Tamo Vahemets and
Urve Miidla
founded a non-profit
organisation Operation Lifesaver Estonia (OLE) restoring
the regular addressing of public railway safety in Estonia.
* December 2004 the fi rst OLE railway safety campaign
“You are expected home for Christmas”
was carried out.
2005
During the last week of April the fi rst railway
safety week (RSW) was carried out; the main event of the
week was the staging of a collision between a car and a
train.
* In May was conducted the fi rst OLE presentation in
Estonia, which took place in Esku Elementary School in
Jõgeva County. OLE training materials were used for the
first time.
* In August the fi rst summer campaign
“BE GOOD
and let the train pass”
was organised.
* In December the fi rst training event for OLE presenters
took place in Tallinn.
2006
A token of gratitude called the
“Golden Level
Crossing Gates”
was introduced. The first token of
gratitude was given to the mayor of Tallinn,
Jüri Ratas
.
* In July Tamo Vahemets represented Operation Lifesaver
Estonia for the fi rst time in an international symposium
in Anaheim (California, USA) and gave a presentation.
2007
The railway safety projects of OLE were supported
for the fi rst time by the Estonian Railway Inspectorate
and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.
2008
OLE became the first non-profit organisation in
Estonia to make its work compliant with ISO 9001:2000
international management system.
2009
OLE founded the title
“Best OLE Presenter”
which
was given to
Marju Tamsalu
and
Malle Hermanson.
* OLE registered as trade marks sentences: “
You are
expected home for Christmas!,”“You are expected home!”,
“Look, listen and live!” and “You can!”
* OLE participated for the fist time in the Rescue Board’s
project Protect Yourself and Help Others organised in
Järva County.
* OLE joined European Road Safety Charter.
* OLE participated in the fi rst
European Level Crossing
Safety Day
organised by UIC.
* OLE issued its fi rst grants for supporting railway safety
activities. The grants were given to the winners of the
“You Can”
creative contest.
2010
OLE founds its honorary medal to recognise
persons who have cobtributed signifi cantly in
developing OLE’s activities and/or prevented railway
