Emergency Evacuation and Post-Crash Procedures
This domain tests the decision to evacuate and the post-crash sequence: protect, notify, account, and document.
Core rules
- Evacuate only if staying is more dangerous: fire, fuel leak, hazardous material, traffic threat, sinking, or structural damage. Otherwise keep students aboard and call for help.
- If evacuating, park safely, set the brake, shut off the engine, and use the nearest safe exit. Direct students at least 100 feet away, upwind of fire, and away from traffic and rails.
- Take the fire extinguisher, first aid kit, radio, and emergency contact list. Assign helpers, check the bus for all students, count at the assembly point, and report anyone missing.
- After a crash, protect the scene, call 911, notify dispatch and the school, and set warning devices if safe.
- Give first aid within your training. Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger.
- Exchange required information, document the scene, and follow district drug and alcohol testing and reporting rules.
Worked example
Smoke comes from the engine compartment. The driver pulls over, shuts off the engine, evacuates through the front door, and moves students 100 feet upwind. The driver takes the extinguisher and radio, counts 34 students, and calls dispatch. Reasoning: smoke can become fire, upwind movement avoids fumes, and an immediate count proves no one was left aboard.
Traps
Do not evacuate onto a highway for a minor breakdown, let students collect belongings, skip the count, let students stand near the bus, move an injured student without immediate danger, forget the parking brake, or delay notification.