Operation Lifesaver Educational Vehicle (OLEV)

OLEV Marked an Excellent way to Promote Rail Safety

By Ken Lancastle

When it comes to promoting railway safety, there are few better vehicles—both literally and figuratively—than the Operation Lifesaver Education Vehicle, which is better known as OLEV.

The refurbished recreational vehicle was first introduced in 2004 and featured state‐of‐the‐art technology to deliver a railway safety message across Canada. The fully equipped R.V. included wireless high‐speed Internet, DVD and CD players, a laptop train simulator and a projector for use at outside events.

The idea was developed by Operation Lifesaver’s national director, Dan Di Tota, who was looking for a new and innovative way to bring their public‐rail safety message across Canada.

“We’ll have everything available to deliver our message,” said Di Tota at the time of OLEV’s launch. “It’s all in one box; you just have to drive up, park it and open it up. It’s all right there.”

But that is not all. The vehicle literally showcased the Operation Lifesaver message of “Look, Listen and Live.” Using reflective materials and large decals, provided by 3M Canada, the outside of the vehicle told as much of a story as the materials the vehicle delivered.

“At first it was just an ordinary vehicle,” explains André Verner, an Operation Lifesaver volunteer and OLEV driver who was there when the vehicle had its decals put on. “When we drove out of that garage, the vehicle became completely different. The decals made the vehicle what it is; its raison d’être.”

Beyond being there at the beginning, Verner was also part of the vehicle’s inspiration. When he worked at CP Rail, he developed a railcar that could be used as a classroom on the railway. When Di Tota developed the idea for OLEV, Verner was more than happy to be a part of it.

What came next was developing a schedule for the vehicle, as well as lining up drivers and volunteers to present the Operation Lifesaver message.

“I gave Dan a list of drivers that I thought would not only have the expertise, but have the time,” says Verner. “Dan interviewed them, and they were great candidates.”

One of those volunteers included Jean‐Pierre Brazeau. With more than 30 years of experience in the railway industry, including jobs as a conductor and locomotive engineer, Brazeau brought important experience to the job, and he saw the importance of getting involved.

“It was a very good tool; it was great for the railway industry, the public, the kids, and even for people from other countries,” Brazeau says. “A lot of people from the United States and other countries saw that it was a great tool for promoting railway safety.”

One of the greatest strengths of the OLEV program was its ability to travel to communities without railway access. OLEV could travel to any location where there was a road, ensuring that all Canadians could receive the rail safety message.

“People who were not aware of OLEV and Operation Lifesaver thought it was a great tool when they saw it,” Brazeau explains. “They really appreciated us there. It’s good that we were there, making a big impact on the teenagers, kids and residents. That really was our objective.”

At virtually every stop they made, OLEV always became a topic of conversation and a sight to see. Equipped with a train horn and bell in addition to the vehicles large reflective lettering, OLEV instantly made an impact when it pulled into an event.

“What we used to do in most circumstances was ring that locomotive bell,” Verner says. “People didn’t have a choice; they would start looking around for a train. Then they’d see OLEV coming, and we wouldn’t have time to put our vehicle in place before people were trying to learn more.”

Even driving down the highway to their next destination provided great recognition for Operation Lifesaver. For drivers of OLEV, it was always interesting to see people looking at the vehicle and recognizing the Operation Lifesaver crossbuck logo.

“We had great experiences, and you couldn’t imagine the amount of people that were touched by this program,” says Verner. “The size of the vehicle, the size of the lettering, and the colouring was all great. Just the visibility of OLEV passed along a great message.”

Perhaps more impressively was the positive response that OLEV received from sponsors and government.

Operation Lifesaver ‐ which is a joint partnership between the Railway Association of Canada and Transport Canada to reduce crossing collisions and trespass incidents that involves communities, government and industry ‐ developed OLEV as a pilot project to help achieve that goal.

The project was so well supported that by the end of the pilot project, OLEV had more than 15 other sponsors that generously contributed to the program.

Sponsors included 3M Canada, Au Point Reprotech, Bell Canada, Canadian Pacific Railway, CN, CSX, Digital Video Productions, Dimension 4 Multimédia, Genesee and Wyoming, GO Transit, the Government of New Brunswick, Ottawa Central Railway, the Railway Association of Canada, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, TEAP, Transport Canada, Transport Quebec, Transtronic Inc., Triple‐E Recreational Vehicles, and VIA Rail Canada.

Even Wrigley’s Canada became a part of the OLEV experience, providing numerous cases of LifeSavers candy to be distributed at community events.

With all of that support from sponsors, partners and volunteers, the vehicle became a mainstay at many events across Canada. One annual event where OLEV could be counted on was the CP Holiday Train, which OLEV traveled with for four years.

The train, which travels every year across Canada collecting donations for the Food Bank, has become a symbol of the holiday season in Canada. For any regular onlookers of the Holiday Train, OLEV could be counted on to be there.

“Each year we did the Holiday Train, we got such a positive response,” Brazeau says. “We saw a lot of people and we were really happy to see those people come visit us. They thought it was great that we came along. It went really well with the train.”

Like any other event, Brazeau explains that they were happy to see the positive lessons that they could impart on OLEV visitors. He says that each event, while different from the last, usually had the same outcome.

“It was a great reward to see all the kids and see them get involved,” he says. “We had a video, interaction, questions and answers, and after that they would go and get their friends and tell them about us. I love that kind of promotion for safety, and accident prevention.”

Now, after more than four years, more than 150,000 kilometres traveled, visits to 250 communities coast‐to‐coast, interaction with more than 800,000 Canadians, and millions of visual impressions, the OLEV program is coming to a close. OLEV will officially be retired from Operation Lifesaver duty at the end of July, 2008.

The vehicle will be sold and proceeds will be injected back into Operation Lifesaver to develop new programs that will ensure the rail safety message is delivered to Canadians.

For those involved with OLEV, the end of the program has come too quickly. However, they are able to look back fondly on their experiences in the recognizable vehicle. Each person has their own story to tell about OLEV, but all have the same resounding theme.

“I really think we made a big difference,” Brazeau says. “It was time consuming, but it was always worth it. If we could save a life, then we had done our job.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by Verner, who emphasized how important the rail safety message is.

“We had the feeling of accomplishing a mission,” he says. “We had great times, but it was better because of the message we were delivering. It’s great to promote rail safety and make people aware.”

With the number of trips that OLEV made across Canada, it is safe to say that people are aware.

OLEV Photos

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OLEV Schedule

2008

May 6

Rail Safety Awareness Week Event,
Halifax, NS and Moncton, NB

May 8

Teens Against Drinking and Driving (NB Safety Council), Fredericton, NB

June 21

Parry Sound - 100 CPR Anniversary Train Trestle, Parry Sound, ON

2007

March 18

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Montréal, QC

Tentative

March 22

Alberta Student Transportation Advisory Council, Edmonton, AB

Tentative

April 24-25

Mock Scenario, St. John, NB

Tentative

April 27-28

Transcaer, Ottawa Central Railway, Ottawa, ON

Tentative

May 3-4

2007 Symposium on Safety, Dieppe, NB

Tentative

May 8

City of London, Emergency Preparedness, London, ON

Tentative

June 1-3

Chapleau Pensioner Banquet, Chapleau, ON

Tentative

June 13-14

Atlantic Region Railway Conference, Moncton, NB

Tentative

July 8-11

OLI Region 1 Workshop, Burlington, VT

Tentative

August 5-8

OLI Region 3 Workshop, Asheville, NC

Tentative

September 9

Entraide de la sécurité incendie, Blainville, QC

Tentative

September 22-26

International Plowing Match, Temiskaming, ON

Tentative

2006

March 11

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Ottawa, ON


March 19

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Montréal, QC


March 23-26

Northeastern Fire Education Conference, North Bay, ON


April 29

Perth Festival of the Maples, Perth, ON


May 13

Police Week, Ste. Catherine Street, Montréal, QC


May 20

Police Week, Fairview Mall, Montréal, QC


May 27

Fundraiser for Children's Miracle Network, Burlington, ON


June 2-3

3M Canada Family Picnic, London, ON


June 4-8

WCRR Meeting, Montréal, QC


June 17

GO Transit Family Day, Newmarket, ON


July 14-16

Chocolate Railway Festival, Smiths Falls, On


July 21-23

Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway Open House, Magog, QC


July 29

Triathlon & La Traverse of Lake Magog, Magog, QC


August 3-6

Rodeo du Camion, Notre Dame du Nord, QC


August 12

Pincourt Firefighter's Appreciation Day Parade, Pincourt, QC


August 18

Festival de l'Aviation, Lac-à-la-Tortue, QC


August 23-24

Railway Operations Live (RAC/OCR/VIA/ Canadian Heartland Training), Ottawa, ON


September 10-14

9th Int'l Level Crossing Safety & Trespass Prevention Symposium, Montréal, QC


September 16-17

Children's Safety Village, Windsor, ON


September 20

Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, Ottawa, ON


November 16-19

Grey Cup, Winnipeg, MB

Tentative

December 16-17

Agence Métropolitan Transports, Montréal, QC

Tentative

2005

March 12

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Ottawa, ON

March 13

St. Patrick's Day Parade, Montréal, QC

April 25

Mock Collision Presentation, Edmunston, NB

April 28

Mock Collision Presentation, Amqui, QC

April 29-30

OCR, Transcaer Fair & Family Day, Ottawa, ON

May 3-4

TRAQ 9th Annual Rail Symposium, Quebec City, QC

May 14

Une fête à notre Santé, Pointe St. Charles, QC

June 1-2

Race Against Drugs (activities), Brockville, ON

June 7

Atlantic Regional Rail Conference, Moncton, NB

June 10

Crossing Blitz, Sydney, NS

June 18

Compagnie du chemin de fer Roberval-Saguenay, Saguenay, QC

June 23-26

Triple-E Anniv. Celebration Rally, Winkler, MB

July 9-10

Revelstoke Timber Days, Revelstoke, BC

August 01

Old Fashioned Family Picnic, St. Lawrence Park, Brockville, ON

August 13

Fireman's Parade, Pincourt, QC

August 20

Family Picnic, Terrace Vaudreuil, QC

August 20-21

ExpoRail Model Railway Show, Delson, QC

August 27

Rail Safety Event, Dunnville, ON

August 28

South Simcoe Railway Safety Event, Totenham, ON

August 31

CPR Centennial Train Event, Red Deer, AB

August 31

CPR Centennial Train Event, Airdrie, AB

August 31

CPR Centennial Train Event, Calgary, AB

September 3

RailAmerica Centennial Train, Slave Lake, AB

September 3

RailAmerica Centennial Train, Widewater, AB

September 3

RailAmerica Centennial Train, High Prairie, AB

September 4

RailAmerica Centennial Train, McLennan, AB

September 4

RailAmerica Centennial Train, Nampa, AB

September 4

RailAmerica Centennial Train, Peace River, AB

September 5

RailAmerica Centennial Train, Grimshaw, AB

September 5

RailAmerica Centennial Train, Peace River, AB

September 9

RailAmerica/OL Special Excursion, Edmonton, AB

September 9

RailAmerica/OL Special Excursion, Radway, AB

September 9

CFL Football Event - Eskimos vs. Stampeders, Edmonton, AB

September 19-21

OLI Region 1 Conference, Cape Cod, MA

October 6

Mock Collision/Smart Risk Presentation, Brockville, ON

November 11

Cornwall Shrine Club Christmas Party, Cornwall, ON

November 12

Cornwall Shrine Club Parade of Lights, Cornwall, ON

November 23

Community Safety, Port Moody, BC

November 26

CFL Grey Cup, Vancouver, BC

CPR Holiday Train Events - subject to train schedule and weather conditions

December 10

CPR Holiday Train Event, Regina, SK

December 10

CPR Holiday Train Event, Moose Jaw, SK

December 10

CPR Holiday Train Event, Saskatoon, SK

December 11

CPR Holiday Train Event, Swift Current, SK

December 11

CPR Holiday Train Event, Medicine Hat, AB

December 11

CPR Holiday Train Event, Tilley, AB

December 11

CPR Holiday Train Event, Brooks, AB

December 12

CPR Holiday Train Event, Calgary, AB

December 12

CPR Holiday Train Event, Vulcan, AB

December 13

CPR Holiday Train Event, Lethbridge, AB

December 13

CPR Holiday Train Event, Sparwood, BC

December 13

CPR Holiday Train Event, Fernie, BC

December 13

CPR Holiday Train Event, Cranbrook, BC

December 14

CPR Holiday Train Event, Radium, BC

December 14

CPR Holiday Train Event, Golden, BC

December 15

CPR Holiday Train Event, Revelstoke, BC

December 15

CPR Holiday Train Event, Sicamous, BC

December 15

CPR Holiday Train Event, Salmon Arm, BC

December 16

CPR Holiday Train Event, Notch Hill, BC

December 16

CPR Holiday Train Event, Chase, BC

December 16

CPR Holiday Train Event, Kamloops, BC

December 17

CPR Holiday Train Event, North Bend, BC

December 17

CPR Holiday Train Event, Aggasiz, BC

December 17

CPR Holiday Train Event, Port Moody, BC

2004

December 11

CPR Holiday Train, Brandon, MB

December 10

CPR Holiday Train, Winnipeg, MB

December 10

CPR Holiday Train, Kenora, ON

December 10

CPR Holiday Train, Dryden, ON

December 9

CPR Holiday Train, Thunder Bay, ON

December 9

CPR Holiday Train, Schreiber, ON

December 8

CPR Holiday Train, White River, ON

December 7

CPR Holiday Train, Sudbury, ON

December 7

CPR Holiday Train, Mactier, ON

December 6

CPR Holiday Train, Trenton, ON

December 6

CPR Holiday Train, Belleville, ON

December 5

CPR Holiday Train, London, ON

December 5

CPR Holiday Train, Cambridge, ON

November 27

Xmas Holiday Parade, Kemptville, ON

November 19-21

Grey Cup, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, ON

November 13-14

Expo Model Train Show, Laval, QC

November 2-4

Day on the Hill, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, ON

October 28

GO Transit Activity, Newmarket, ON

October 26

Mock Collision Presentation, Cornwall, ON

October 23

Renegades vs. Alouettes, Olympic Stadium, Montréal, QC

October 19

Safe Communities Conference, Perth, ON

October 13

Mock Collision Presentation, Deux-Montagnes, QC

October 12

OLEV - Open House, Québec City, QC

October 11

OLEV - Open House, Ste-Foy, QC

October 2

Home Depot Community Safety Event , London, ON

September 25

Train Pull, Old Port, Montréal, QC

September 17

OLEV Launch, OL Annual Conference, Aylmer, QC