Lorrie Johnston Received Roger Cyr Award
Saint John, N.B. - Lorrie Johnston of Operations and Safety in New Brunswick Southern Railways’ short line, based in Saint John, has been named the recipient of the 2008 Roger Cyr Award. The new award is given to individuals who receive significant recognition of their efforts to reduce railway crossings collisions and trespass accidents. Lorrie started with NB Southern 10 years ago and moved into the Safety program in 2005. She works closely with communities, schools, bus drivers, trucking companies, government and industry. Her work included an initiative with Flakeboard Company of St. Stephen, which had a near miss in the fall of 2006. She worked with the trucking company to improve operations. She organizes an annual Grade 4 train ride, prepared OL presentations for 100 school bus drivers recently, held mock scenarios in Saint John and McAdam, and honoured one of their employees last year who saved a trespasser’s life by risking his own. The announcement was made during OL’s Rail Safety Week April 28-May 3. “I have had the weekend to absorb but I have to admit, I am still speechless....to be put in the same class as Roger Cyr is an honor that I will never forget, thank you!” said Ms. Johnston. Operation Lifesaver was launched nationally in Canada on Sept. 23, 1981, with the appointment of Mr. Cyr to the position of national director. Cyr, a 41-year veteran of the railway industry at the time of his appointment, brought a wealth of knowledge to his new position. At the time, he was manager of general claims in the law department of Canadian National, responsible for supervising the investigation and settlement of claims relating to crossing accidents across Canada and within six U.S. states.
Contact Information: Dan Di Tota National Director Operation Lifesaver 613-564-8094 Ian Carter Transport Canada Communications 613-990-1103
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