Safety and Emergency Procedures
Safety and Emergency Procedures
This domain tests what you do when normal operation fails: fire, crash, evacuation, and medical emergency. The priority order is stop safely, secure the bus, protect students, and communicate.
Core rules
- For fire or smoke: stop immediately, shut off the engine, set the parking brake, evacuate students upwind and at least 100 feet away, and call 911.
- Use emergency exits as trained; know the side door, rear door, roof hatch, and window exits.
- Do not open the engine hood fully if you suspect an engine fire; use the fire extinguisher only if trained and safe.
- After a crash: secure the scene, check injuries, account for students, call 911, and notify dispatch or the school.
- Conduct evacuation drills as required; Michigan requires regular school bus drills.
- Keep the first-aid kit, extinguisher, triangles, and emergency contact information accessible.
Worked example
Smoke comes from the dashboard. The driver stops, shuts off the engine, sets the brake, and evacuates students through the side door to a point upwind. Reasoning: smoke can become fire and toxic gas; students should not stay aboard while the driver investigates. The driver then calls 911 and accounts for every student.
Traps
- Opening the hood fully and feeding oxygen to a fire.
- Evacuating students into traffic instead of a safe assembly point.
- Leaving students unattended to search for help.
- Forgetting to take the roster or count students.