Page 93 - School Bus Operators and Attendants Handbook

Effects on Students of an Emergency Situation

Students in wheelchairs often do not want to leave their wheelchair behind, and will be anxious
about it. They need to be assured that the wheelchair can be replaced, and that their life is more
important than a piece of equipment. As mentioned above, there are students who will be visibly
upset and may become frightened, run, become hysterical, refuse to move, may have a seizure,
act out, and/or lose emotional and/or bodily control.
Emergency Planning for Students in Wheelchairs

You will need to determine if a student is more easily moved in or out of a wheelchair. You may
have no choice but to transfer the student out of the wheelchair, especially in the case of a
motorized wheelchair. Students in motorized wheelchairs or students who cannot operate their
manual wheelchair and are intellectually impaired may not be able to physically assist you. They
may need to be lifted, lowered to a drag blanket, and dragged off the bus.

Removing a Student in a Wheelchair during an Emergency Situation

During an emergency if it has been determined that the bus lift is inoperable or unusable, the
student in a wheelchair would have to be physically removed from the bus. The student’s body
should be positioned on the drag blanket so that his head leaves the bus first. This way you can
support the head and neck better. Some students with serious deformities may be more easily
removed in their wheelchair out the emergency exit, if their wheelchair is a manual wheelchair.
Toddlers and Infants in Car Seats

Infants and toddlers in car seats can be evacuated while strapped into the car seat if the width of
the bus aisle allows this. Otherwise, if the bus aisle is only twelve inches wide the car seat will not
physically fit down the aisle. You would then need to use the belt cutter to cut the harness straps
of the car seat. Then lift and physically carry the infant or toddler out of the bus.

Infants and toddlers will need to be very closely supervised once they are off the bus. Those who
have been evacuated while still in their car seats will have less potential for wandering off into
danger, and the car seat gives them protection while on the ground.

Interacting with Students in Emergency or Difficult Situations

Try to remember, whether you are in an emergency situation or not, always talk to the students.
Keep calm and use a calming tone. This will help students even if they do not always understand
your words.

As you can see, your evacuation plans must be well thought out. Have a back- up plan. Know
locations of the closest hospitals, police, and fire stations along your routes. Ask your supervisor for
help and guidance with your emergency plan.

Page 93 of 149
Emergency Evacuation Planning