Texas Border Business
Mission, Texas – Mission Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) transportation department personnel have been extra busy lately. In addition to their normal duties, they have been providing students throughout the district a special presentation on bus safety and emergency procedures. A team of bus drivers conducts the presentations annually.
“This is similar to student-training that used to be required by the state,” explained Carlos Lerma, director for transportation. “While that requirement ended a few years ago, we felt it was important enough to continue to provide it each and every year.”
The transportation department provides training to arm students with knowledge that could help save lives and limit injuries in emergency situations. Lerma says that while only about 5,500 students ride a bus to and from school each day, almost all students will ride a bus at some point for extra-curricular activities, a field trip, or special event. He added that they hope the information becomes second nature to the students over time so that, if there is an actual emergency, the students will be better prepared to respond and limit the amount of panic.
The presentation consists of several topics, such as bus safety rules, how to use all emergency exits and doors, what to do in case the driver becomes incapacitated, how to operate the emergency brake, how to use the radio to call for help, how to use the fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
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