Amber Catlin-Kolodziej: At the EESF, We are Safety!
Amber Catlin-Kolodziej is the Executive Director of the Elevator escalator Safety Foundation. The EESF’s mission is to educate the general public on the proper and safe use of elevators and escalators. Amber’s goal is to further enable the EESF to keep our friends and family safe when they are using vertical transportation. Amber has a background working with non-profits and finds the elevator industry to be the warmest and most welcoming she has ever been involved with.
The EESF can be found at: https://www.eesf.org/
Matt and Amber sit down to talk about the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, it’s mission and how Amber is working to carry that vision forward.
Summary:
0:00:00 Introduction from unknown speaker about EESF’s mission of safety
0:00:36 Continued introduction about preventing accidents everywhere
0:00:41 Matthew Allred welcomes listeners and introduces Amber Catlin-Kolodziej as today’s guest
0:01:41 Matthew asks Amber how she got started in the elevator industry
0:01:56 Amber explains finding the ESF job posting and applying
0:03:21 Amber mentions being at ESF for 6 months
0:04:05 Matthew asks about Amber’s impressions of the elevator industry
0:04:05 Amber says it’s the warmest industry she’s been part of
0:05:00 Matthew comments on the industry feeling like a community or family
0:05:13 Matthew asks what Amber has learned about the industry
0:05:13 Amber discusses learning about the intricacies and parts involved
0:06:07 Matthew asks about the history of how ESF came to be
0:06:20 Amber explains the origins at a United event bridge builders meeting
0:06:47 Amber continues explaining the formation of ESF to educate the public
0:07:31 Amber provides more details on ESF’s incorporation in 1991
0:08:10 Amber mentions the founding groups that helped establish ESF
0:08:50 Amber discusses ESF’s current board and other supporting organizations
0:09:21 Matthew asks about public injuries that led to the need for education
0:09:31 Amber discusses safety issues for children on escalators and elevators
0:10:00 Amber continues giving examples of safety issues
0:10:41 Amber wraps up examples of common safety incidents
0:10:57 Matthew asks about the focus on second graders
0:11:07 Amber explains the former safety cat costume program for classrooms
0:11:32 Amber discusses challenges with COVID for in-person classroom programs
0:11:48 Amber mentions alternatives like gym teachers and first responders
0:12:33 Matthew asks about volunteer roles to spread ESF’s message
0:12:46 Amber discusses sharing on social media and the safety writers website
0:13:05 Amber says to contact ESF about needs and suggested improvements
0:13:39 Matthew asks about upcoming Elevator Safety Week
0:14:16 Amber provides details on Elevator Safety Week in November
0:14:47 Amber discusses the planned 52 Weeks of Safety launch in January
0:15:31 Amber wraps up discussing 52 Weeks of Safety collaboration
0:17:57 Matthew thanks Amber for the interview
0:19:22 Amber’s closing message about ESF’s mission to prevent all accidents
0:19:36 Amber congratulates Laurie Dueitt on her promotion at ESF
0:20:00 Matthew thanks Amber and wraps up the episode