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1 CCR 301-26
19.1 Emergency evacuation drills shall be conducted with students by all school transportation vehicle route operators, excluding small capacity vehicle operators as defined in 301-25, Rule 7.15, and school transportation paraprofessionals at least twice during each school year.
19.01(a) One drill shall be conducted in the fall and the second drill conducted in the spring.
19.01(b) Substitute and Multifunction operators shall be trained how to conduct emergency evacuation drills.
19.2 Students on school related events shall receive emergency evacuation instruction prior to every initial departure.
19.3 School districts, charter schools, and service providers shall maintain records documenting
For all types of emergencies, it is imperative that you remain calm.
DO NOT PANIC!
Determine which of the exits may be used.
Ø Check for any serious injuries.
Rear-end Crash
Ø Follow the same procedures for a front-end crash.
Ø Do not use the rear exit.
Broadside Crash
Ø Determine which exit may be used.
Ø Follow the same procedures as for front/rear-end accidents.
Ø Use the rear exit, roof hatches, if available, and windows along the top if they are free of broken glass.
Ø If fire does not exist and the bus is not lying on the front door side, this exit may also be used.
Ø Follow steps outlined for front/rear-end evacuation.
Fire
Ø Follow the evacuation procedures outlined for rear-end and front-end crashes.
Ø Use the exit furthest from the fire.
Ø Many injuries are caused by panic rather than by fire itself. This can be avoided if everyone stays calm.
Ø Use front-end or rear-end crash evacuation procedures.
Ø Stay clear of all traffic, and keep students in a group.
Ø DO NOT re-enter the bus.
Ø Have students move away from the tracks, in the direction of the oncoming train at a 45° angle from the tracks. This is important because if a train were to hit a disabled school bus it will push it down the tracks.
Ø Remember, it is warmer inside than out.
Ø Do not drive through water rushing across the roadway unless instructed to do so by a law enforcement officer.
Ø If the vehicle stalls during a water crossing, notify dispatch.
Ø Evacuate passengers if situation warrants. What is the safest option for the students?
Under no circumstances should any student move another student who is injured without the permission of the bus driver or emergency responder attending the accident.
It is a good idea for your students to know:
Ø The location of the first aid kits
Ø How to shut off the engine
Ø How to set the park brake; unless disabilities of students preclude this.
The emergency evacuation drill should be as close to the real thing as possible. The drill should be discussed with the students prior to the day of the drill. The drill should follow the evacuation procedures for the appropriate exit(s) used.
If there are potential language barriers, drivers should be made aware of it so they can prepare ahead of time to address the situation.
General Procedures for Evacuations
Follow these general procedures in any evacuation:
Ø Above all—remain calm.
Ø Secure Vehicle (all drills)
Ø Put transmission in neutral (automatic) reverse (manual) or park if so equipped.
Ø Set the park brake.
Ø Turn off engine.
Ø Turn on 4-way hazard lamps (if operable).
Ø Evaluate the situation.
Ø Is evacuation necessary?
Ø Injuries?
Ø Which exit is best to use?
Ø Determine which door is best to use for the evacuation.
Ø Determine a safe waiting area.
Ø Notify proper authorities.
Ø Know the number of students on the bus.
Emergency Evacuation Using Front Door
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Ø Notify the proper authorities and school administrators as soon as possible.
Ø Driver should stand and face students.
Ø Get students’ attention - speak clearly and concisely.
Ø Announce - “Remain seated, emergency evacuation, front door.”
Ø Tell students the location of the safe waiting area, at least 100 feet or more from the bus and the roadway.
Ø All belongings are to be left on the bus.
Ø Evacuate the bus by dismissing students. The driver should move back down the aisle, dismissing the students row by row.
Ø If possible, give the first aid kit(s) to the first two responsible students exiting the bus.
Ø Do not impede the flow of the students exiting.
Ø Begin at the front of the bus, starting at the right side; alternate side-to- side, row by row, until students have exited the bus.
Ø Check each seat as you move back to the front of the bus to make sure all students have evacuated the bus.
Ø Account for all students.
Ø Render first aid if necessary.
Emergency Evacuation Using Rear Door
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Ø Use the rear door when a front door evacuation is impossible or unsafe to use, or when it is imperative to evacuate as quickly as possible by using rear exits.
Ø Notify proper authorities and school administrators as soon as possible.
Ø Announce, “Remain seated, emergency evacuation, rear door.” Tell students the location of the safe waiting area.
Ø All belongings are to be left on the bus.
Ø Assign two (2) “helpers” to assist students. Have them “sit” on the floor at the emergency door and “scoot” out of the door onto the ground. One helper is positioned with their back to the emergency door, so the door will not swing against the students. The other helper is positioned on the other side of the door area.
Ø Helpers need to hold a hand open, palm upward, and extended for the student to place his/her hand on it. The other hand will support the upper part of the arm of the student to minimize the possibility of the student falling forward.
Ø Helpers are particularly important in preventing injuries when exiting the bus from the rear door.
Ø Evacuate the bus by dismissing students. The driver will move backward from the rear row of seats, dismissing students row by row.
Ø Begin at the back row and continue to the front; alternate side-to-side, row-by-row, until students have exited the bus. If possible, give the first aid kit(s) to the last two responsible students when they are out of the bus.
Ø Students should sit at the rear door, and then scoot through the door onto the ground with the helper's assistance.
Ø Students should walk to the safe waiting area.
Ø Check all seats for students as you move towards the back of the bus.
Ø Have the helpers “assist” you out of the rear of the bus.
Ø Account for all students.
Ø Render first aid as necessary.
Emergency Evacuation Using the Front & Rear Doors (Combined)
Follow procedures outlined for both front door and rear door evacuations. (Driver will not be able to dismiss the rows.)
Ø The fastest method for bus evacuation is the combined evacuation, using the front and rear doors.
Ø Separate students at the half-way mark of the bus (approximately sixth from the rear), and have the front half exit out of the front door and the back half out the backdoor.
Emergency Evacuation Using the Side Door
Follow the above procedures for a rear door evacuation with the following exception to dismissing the students:
Ø Begin at the seat nearest the exit, approximately sixth from the rear. Work to the rear alternating side-to-side, (a closed space), then return to the seat immediately in front of the rear side exit and work to the front alternating side to side.
Ø Using a side door exit is a more difficult evacuation procedure because of the height of the door from the ground. With small children, you might have to assist them from the door to the ground.
Emergency Evacuation Using Windows and Roof Hatches
If the front, rear, and side door exits are blocked, there are two other ways to get out of the bus if needed.
Side window exits are designed to be used when all other exits are blocked or inoperable. The instructions to open the window are posted next to the window.
If the bus is upright – two people need to hold each side of the window up to prevent it from falling down on students as they exit.
Ø Two students should exit first to assist other students as they exit. Students should exit feet first and place their feet on the rub rail approximately halfway down the outside of the bus, and the helpers will assist them the remainder of the way.
If the bus is laying on its side then the side windows can be opened like a hatch and flipped all the way open.
Ø Two helpers exit first to assist students from the bus to the ground. Students can then crawl out, down the top of the bus to avoid any the undercarriage of the bus.
Roof hatch evacuations are your last resort. They are intended to be used when all other exits are blocked or inoperable.
Ø The instructions to open the hatches are posted on the hatch itself.
Ø Two helpers should get out first by flipping the hatch all the way open.
Ø Depending on the position of the vehicle they may need to pull students up, and assist them to the ground.
Emergency Evacuation - Students with Special Needs
Exceptional care should be taken to plan for students with special needs who are riding on the bus. Know the procedures to be followed to safely evacuate each student.
Ø It is advisable to talk to parents or guardians of the students with disabilities to properly plan for an emergency evacuation.
Ø Teachers and school staff who work with these students can also help communicate the individual needs of each child. The Colorado Department of Education has guidelines for preparing an evacuation plan.
Ø Responsible students may be assigned to help a student with special needs get to a safe area away from the bus, traffic and other dangers. The plan should address each student’s characteristics and abilities.
Ø A written plan should be developed, maintained with the route sheet, and kept confidential. All drivers should be familiar with where the plan is located and review it prior to departing on a route or trip.
Ø When possible, make sure to include students with special needs in the discussion, as well as having them participate in the actual drill. If you wish to include students with special needs in the drill, get permission from parents/guardians.
Ø Stand, facing students and tell them they are having an emergency evacuation drill.
Ø Remind students to leave books, lunches, etc., on the bus.
The most important thing to take note of during a drill is how the students exit the bus; calmly, orderly, and following directions.
When the drill is over, have the students get back on the bus. Spend a few moments discussing the drill. Point out the positive things that occurred and discuss ways to improve the drill.
For additional information regarding evacuating special needs students check out– http://www.cde.state.co.us/transportation/2019coloradostudentwithdisabilitiestransportation
Last modified: Sunday, 7 May 2023, 4:27 PM