Stephen C. Satterly, II – Author

By Stephen Satterly, School Transportation News, Thought Leader Article, January 2017

School bus drivers make numerous decisions every day. The deadly Chattanooga bus crash on Nov. 21 underscores the weight of these decisions. Most crashes are caused by driver error. A dynamic fleet exercise program can prepare drivers for the many incidents they face and can be done inexpensively.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has developed the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP), which can serve as the basis for a comprehensive training program. Exercises can be a cost-effective means of testing and validating plans and capabilities, familiarizing personnel with roles and responsibilities, and informing all stakeholders.

Programs should be guided by these principles:

• Guided by both Central Office and Fleet Personnel.
  The engagement of Central Office personnel is key to the success of any exercise program. They provide guidance and direction while ensuring that activities comply with school board policies and administrative guidelines.
• Capability-Based, Objective Driven.
  Define core capabilities and associated goals so the exercises can compare current capabilities to required or desired standards.
• Progressive Planning Approach.
  Prioritizing a training program to balance immediate needs against capabilities and complexity of the exercises can maximize a team’s efficiency towards achieving their ultimate goal.
• Whole Community Integration.
  Program developers are encouraged to engage the whole community in planning exercises, keeping in mind the sensitive nature of the information.
• Informed by Risk
  Identifying and assessing risks and associated impacts can help establish priorities, objectives, and core capabilities.
• Common Methodology
  HSEEP includes a common exercise methodology applicable across all mission areas, regardless of fleet size, geography, or capabilities. This provides a shared understanding of the exercise program and fosters collaboration.

There is a distinct methodology for developing a dynamic, effective exercise program, which includes: design and development, conduct, evaluation, and an improvement plan.

Design and development require a risk assessment and the assessment of potential impacts. Risk and program priorities are essential in developing effective exercises and established goals. The exercises can be briefings, drills, tabletop exercises, functional exercises, or full-scale exercises.

Exercise conduct involves preparation, exercise management, and wrap-up activities. The top priority is always the safety of the participants, followed by the relevancy and realism of activities. Don’t have an exercise just to have an exercise.

The core of any program is the ability to measure its effectiveness, and to do so at every step and in all aspects: objectives, strengths, weaknesses, readiness, and unforeseen situations as experience and information accumulate.

A program should include the ability to track and, as needed, incorporate corrective actions effectively to ensure exercises yield tangible improvements. The program and documentation should be dynamic, continually monitored, and improved upon.

What It Might Look Like

A school superintendent wants to implement a new policy on how drivers handle fights on the school bus. A meeting is called, and it’s determined that the driver will:

1. Pull the bus over to a safe spot, park, and turn off the bus.
2. Radio the base and report the situation.
3. Get the rest of the students to safety.
4. Attempt to verbally intervene.
5. Monitor the situation.

This team establishes driver goals and guidelines for:

1. Securing the bus.
2. Effective communications.
3. Bus evacuation safety.
4. Aspects of intervention.

The director then meets with local law enforcement and EMS officials to discuss the new protocols. As a group, they determine that the exercise program for that school year will include an orientation (briefing) at the start-of-the-year meeting, monthly tabletop exercises, and two functional exercises, one each semester. The second year will be the same, but the second functional exercise will be replaced with a full-scale exercise.

Exercise programs require time, effort, and coordination. FEMA’s April 2013 Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program is an excellent, free resource to guide you through the process. School bus drivers are dedicated, caring people who want to know how to deal with emergencies. Providing them with a structured guide can create buy-in and increase driver retention. A willingness to devote time and demonstrate dedication to your team’s well-being and performance can yield significant returns on investment and improve your drivers’ morale.

Stephen Satterly, II, is a senior analyst with Safe Havens International. He is also a researcher and author. He can be reached at stephencsatterly2@gmail.com.