Page 95 - School Bus Operators and Attendants Handbook

Evacuating Students Who Are In Wheelchairs

 Cut or remove securement straps from the student’s wheelchair using the belt cutter. Remember
to use the cutter on a downward angle away from student’s face or body.
 Turn the wheelchair around so that the student faces the rear door of the bus.
 Bring the front castors to the edge of the bus. Tilt the chair backwards. Use
your legs to support the weight of the chair as it is tilted backward.
 Using the rear wheels, roll the wheelchair down the back of the bus. Using the back of the bus as
a guide, slowly lower the chair to the receivers on the ground. Receivers should be either the
driver or attendant, and a responsible bystander(s).

Be sure to maintain your balance by moving down onto one bended knee.

 The receiver (person on the ground) will grab the chair in a secure location and continue to lower
the chair to the ground.
 Return to the bus interior to get the next student.

EMERGENCY EXITS CHECKLIST

 Immediately locate and open every exit on your bus. Tip: Count seat backs as a reference for
where emergency windows and hatches are located. If you have a fire, the bus may fill with
smoke.
 Safely exit from an emergency door. “Sit, Scoot, Slide”. Tip: Be careful that loose clothing or
dangling drawstrings do not get caught on the emergency door handle.
 Safely exit from a side or rear emergency windows. Tip: Unlatch the emergency window, and
then get on your hands and knees on the back of the bus seat with your head facing the isle. Push
open the window with your feet, and slowly back out the window. When your legs are outside,
grasp the window ledge with your hands and “feel” with your feet for the “rub rails” along the
side of the bus. Slowly lower yourself to the ground.
 Seat belt cutter. Hold the belt taut and cut at an angle always away from the student’s face. Tip:
You should be able to locate and reach the cutter from a seated position in case of a bus rollover.

Front Door Evacuation

 Selected student leader should take their position and guide passengers to a safe location (200
feet from danger)
 Selected student helper should take their position
 Passengers should remain in their seats until directed by the driver to leave the bus
 Begin with the right-left alternating method from front to the back of the bus. This unloading
procedure can be practiced during routine unloading.
 Driver checks the bus to be sure everyone is out on the way out

Page 95 of 149
Emergency Evacuation Planning