School Bus Accident and / or Fire

  1. Driver immediately shall:

    • Turn off engine and turn on emergency flashers. Keep passengers on bus unless there is danger of fire, overturning, or further collision in which event the bus shall be evacuated.
    • Contact Transportation Center and advise of situation and maintain open channel. Request emergency assistance. If the driver is unable to contact the Transportation Center by radio, he or she will employ the following emergency procedures which are posted in every bus. Attempt to telephone from a cell phone, nearby residence, or with the help of a passing motorist. If the driver is incapacitated, the chaperone will follow these procedures.
    • Stay calm and reassure passengers. Provide assistance to injured persons.
    • Place emergency reflectors in front of and behind disabled bus from 100 to 300 feet away.
    • Provide the Transportation Center with a list to all occupants of the bus.

      CALL:

      • Days of operation between 5:30 AM and 5:00 PM call:
      • Transportation Center: Office – ext 1218 or 315-692-1218
      • Garage – ext. 1277 or 315-692-277

      ALL OTHER TIMES:

      • John Cunningham, Director of Transportation: cell 315-952-6242 or Home 315-677-0292

      If no answer, call:

      • John Betts (Mechanic Crew Leader) cell 315-706-1427 or home 315-676-4659
      • Or Mary Walker (Dispatcher) cell: 315- 751-4785
      • Becki Finnerty (Assist. Director) 315-420-2275

      IF NO ANSWER FROM ABOVE:

      • Call 911 within Onondaga County or Local Enforcement Agency if outside county
  2. Transportation Center contacts of designee:

    • Law enforcement officials – 911
    • Superintendent – ext. 1200
    • If injuries are reported, call Assistant Superintendent for Personnel – ext. 1212 to arrange contact with a district physician. Depending on the severity of the accident, the physician may come to the scene of the accident or to the school where children will be delivered. If the physician has been called to the scene of the accident or to the school, he/she will examine all occupants of the bus.
    • Building Administrator(s) of school(s) affected – If injuries are reported, someone from the school shall go to the scene of the accident whenever possible. Non-public and parochial schools shall also be notified.
  3. After accomplishing 2, a designee from the Transportation Center shall visit the scene of the accident.

  4. Action following the accident:

    • Transportation Supervisor or designee shall obtain and write down names, addresses, license numbers and insurance data of those involved in accident and of witnesses.
    • The Transportation Supervisor or designee shall notify parents of all injured occupants of the bus.
    • The Building Administrator will designate a staff member to handle incoming calls from parents.
  5. Recovery:

    • Transportation Supervisor or designee shall call a tow truck if needed, contact insurance company and complete necessary reports.

RESOURCES

  • Two-way radio in each bus capable of contacting Transportation Center at any point along its daily route.
  • First-Aid and bodily fluid clean-up kit.
  • Local Emergency Responders: Police – 9-1-1, Fire/Ambulance – 9-1-1.
  • Emergency road reflectors.