Improving Water Safety with Union Pacific Railroad

YMCA Continues to Improve Water Safety Thanks to Union Pacific Railroad

(Omaha, NE) May 12, 2024 – May is National Water Safety Month. From lifeguard training, swim lessons, to outreach across our community, water safety is a critical part of the YMCA’s work. We are incredibly grateful to have corporate partners join us in these efforts and invest in initiatives that make us all safer and stronger together.

YMCA of Greater Omaha is the proud recipient of a Union Pacific Railroad Community Ties Giving Program grant, which has enabled five metro YMCA pools to pilot life-saving technology with the purchase and installation of Lifeguard Entry Alert systems. These systems improve emergency response times when a lifeguard enters the water.

“The branch staff are very happy and excited to have the new systems in place. In our drills, we have seen that notifications to the welcome desk work well.”  -Tera Thomas, VP of Advancement

Union Pacific’s Community Ties Giving Program provides small- and medium-sized grants that align with the railroad’s priorities, including safety, workforce development and community spaces.

“Union Pacific proudly supports organizations that improve the quality of life where our employees live and work,” said Liisa Lawson Stark, vice president – Public Affairs, Union Pacific Railroad. “Investing in high-quality, nonprofit programs puts our communities in a position for future growth and prosperity.”

The YMCA is committed to ongoing water safety initiatives in our community, and is grateful for support from the Union Pacific program that helps makes our facilities as safe as possible.