WASHINGTON — The U.S. rail industry is supporting Emergency Notification System Sign Awareness Day on June 24, seeking to raise public awareness of the blue signs at railroad grade crossings on who to contact in an emergency.
“The sign may be small, but its impact is enormous,” Rachel Maleh, executive director of Operation Lifesaver Inc., the industry-supported nonprofit for rail safety education., said in a press release. “This campaign empowers people with knowledge that can make all the difference in an emergency. Knowing what to do – and how to act quickly – can prevent a tragedy.” The blue-and-white signs include a contact number for the railroad that operates through a given crossing, as well as a unique identification number to help railroads and emergency responders identify the precise location of the crossing. Trains.com provided a look at the ENS signs and program in the article, “Behind the blue sign.” Operation Lifesaver is emphasizing three points as part of its ENS campaign: — If a vehicle stalls or is stuck on railroad tracks, exit the car immediately and get away from the tracks, even if no train is in sight. — Find the blue-and-white ENS sign, call the number listed, and give the dispatcher the crossing ID. — If there is no sign, call 911. “ENS Sign Awareness Day is a powerful reminder – but this is a message that matters every day of the year,” Maleh said. “Together, we can stop track tragedies.” More on ENS Sign Awareness day, including a public service video and materials to share on social media, is available at the Operation Lifesaver website.
Trains failed to report the story of the CSX derailment in Tyrone GA where the police used the blue sign to report a rail defect and CSX acknowledged receipt. 4 hours later a train derailed as the railroad had taken no action.
CSX was ‘looking’ into it and it quietly faded away. The derailed cars contained corn. SO a GA East Palestine was averted.
My two cents: I think the signs should be larger so they can be more easily read. Also, I think there should also be a sign on each pole facing toward the center line of the road. That way, someone in a vehicle stuck on the tracks can see and read it form their car or truck.