Page 34 - School Bus Operators and Attendants Handbook

Emergency Warning and Evacuation Procedures

Reporting for Duty

School Bus Drivers and Attendants must report to work at their regularly scheduled times, unless
an announcement from the School District Public Affairs Office is made over the radio and/or
television stating the Transportation Services Department employees do not have to report to
work.

Returning to Work after an Emergency

All employees are expected to return to work according to their regular schedule as soon as the
emergency has passed. An official public announcement to this effect will be made on the radio
and/or television.

Serious Adverse Weather Conditions While on Your Route

If serious adverse weather conditions develop while you are on your route, Operators should place
the bus in the safest location available, and call his assigned Facility immediately for instructions.

Mandatory Emergency Evacuation

 Bus stalled on railroad tracks
 Fuel leaking from bus
 Electrical or other kind of fire
 Bus involved in accident with other vehicle which is leaking gas or burning adjacent to bus.
 Smoke coming from engine or elsewhere on bus

When to Evacuate

 Students are almost always safer when they are on the bus and the Operator/Attendant must
always remember this before making the decision to evacuate.
 If, in the judgment of the Bus Driver, the students’ safety, well-being, or lives are at risk, the
school Bus Driver should evacuate immediately.
 Under most circumstances, the Operator should evacuate students through each exit. In more
severe cases, the Operator might have to use emergency hatches or windows. Students would
always move at least 200 feet away from the danger. If necessary, the windshield and rear glass
panels can be kicked out.

Supervision of Students during an Evacuation

The Bus Driver should always stand on the bus to supervise and direct the evacuation until all
students are safely off. The Operator should be the last one to get off the bus after checking for
children hiding.

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Emergency Warning and Evacuation Procedures