State program directors for Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OL), the national, nonprofit rail safety education organization, will gather in Chicago from Feb. 26 to 28 to learn about new materials and methods for volunteer training and share best practices for raising awareness of rail safety issues in their communities.

“Statistics show that about every three hours in the U.S., a person or vehicle is hit by a train,” said Operation Lifesaver Inc. President/CEO Joyce Rose. “Our state coordinators work every day in their communities, advancing Operation Lifesaver’s mission to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities on and around railroad tracks and highway-rail grade crossings.

Every other year, we hold this important meeting to help these rail safety experts enhance their leadership skills and program capabilities. This year’s summit theme is ‘We’re Stronger Together,’ emphasizing the importance of a coordinated and unified Operation Lifesaver safety message,” she added.

Approximately 45 OL state program leaders are expected to attend the sessions this year, which will be held at the Embassy Suites in downtown Chicago. They will receive training on the new online system to become an Operation Lifesaver Authorized Volunteer, discuss building relationships with safety partners at the state level, and other topics.

OL VP Wende Corcoran said that the State Coordinator Summit will also include updates on the latest technology and learning tools and other methods for sharing the nonprofit’s safety message in 2013 and beyond.