Wyoming Operation Lifesaver (WYOL) is a free public service education program dedicated to preventing and reducing fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and along railroad rights-of-way in Wyoming.  Using our cadre of presenters and crash car displays, we educate the public on highway-rail grade crossing safety and provide vital information about the dangers encountered when people trespass on railroad property.  We also get involved with engineering projects to improve public safety, and we work with the law enforcement community in an effort to reduce grade crossing and trespass incidents.  WYOL Is part of a national program known as "Operation Lifesaver, Inc." (OLI).  Both WYOL and OLI are non-profit organizations.
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In 1972, a concerned Union Pacific Railroad employee, working with the support of many Idaho communities, established a state-wide public education program in an effort to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities occurring at highway-rail grade crossings. At the end of the first year, the fatality rate in Idaho dropped by 39 percent. In 1973, the same education program was started in Nebraska. After a one-year period, Nebraska demonstrated even more impressive results----a 46 percent reduction in highway-rail grade crossing fatalities. In recent years, increased emphasis has been placed on reducing and preventing the injuries and fatalities caused by people trespassing on railroad property.
Operation Lifesaver is now active in the 49 continental United States and in parts of Canada. Since its inception in 1972, this public education program has dramatically reduced injuries and fatalities. A cooperative effort involving education, engineering and enforcement are the three factors that continue to make this program successful. Education is provided by the volunteers involved in Operation Lifesaver. Engineering is provided by the professionals who are responsible for improving and maintaining the crossings. Enforcement is provided by your local and state law enforcement officials and railroad police officers who actively enforce the laws at crossings and along the railroad right-of-ways.
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Hundreds of people are killed and thousands are seriously injured each year in the United States at highway-rail crossings and at other locations along railroad tracks.  Many people are unaware that trains cannot stop quickly to avoid collisions.  Others take chances by ignoring warning signs and signals, going around lowered gates, stopping on tracks, or simply not paying attention when approaching highway-rail crossings.  Many people make the fatal mistake of choosing railroad tracks as shortcuts or as places to walk or run for recreation.  They simply don't realize how quickly a train can be there until it's too late and there's no escape.  Unfortunately, on the average of every 90 minutes somewhere in the United States, there is an incident at a crossing or along a railroad right-of-way.  Operation Lifesaver programs educate the public by providing vital information so these tragedies can be reduced and prevented.
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WYOL offers free safety presentations to ANY group, business or organization ( schools, youth groups, truck and bus companies, civic clubs, utility companies, corporations, etc.). These presentations include colorful visuals and informative videos, helping the participants learn many surprising and important facts about trains and what they can and cannot do. Our certified presenters tailor their presentations to meet your schedule and needs. Presentations vary in length from 30 to 60 minutes depending upon a group's time limitations. Presentations are also tailored to specific types of groups and age levels. For example, we have special programs and videos for school bus drivers, professional truck drivers, teens, children and others. A variety of videos ranging from cartoons to deadly crashes are used to help convey the Operation Lifesaver message.
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In Wyoming, you can select the "Get a Presentation" button in the left-hand pane and fill out the form.  As an alternative, you may contact Mr. Jim Coker, the State Coordinator for WYOL, at (307) 638-2158 or Send an email to the State Coordinator of Wyoming.
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Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit nationwide program and is supported by national and state organizations, and many of the nation's railroads. If you are located outside Wyoming and wish to receive information on your state's Operation Lifesaver program, please contact:
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Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
1420 King Street, Suite 401
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
1-800-537-6224
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. will also provide you with the name and phone number of the State Coordinator in your area.