Safety Program : Background

As part of the continuing focus on safety improvements, the Transportation Department has been examining a number of initiatives in close cooperation with the bus operators association.

In January 2006 a Joint Safety Committee was established as a partnership between C.L.A.S.S. and the School Bus Operators to address common school bus safety issues that impact the Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB) & St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) schools.

Consisting of seven representatives, the committee includes bus operators (owners, trainers, safety personnel and dispatchers) along with a delegate from Transportation. The initial mandate given to the committee was to investigate alternatives and present recommendations to address school bus safety programs.

In reaching the final recommendations the committee reviewed several different programs that were practised within this district (current and historical) as well as programs used by neighbouring school boards. Key consideration factors were ensuring the largest audience possible receives the training, the most age appropriate learning tool is used, and consistency in the presentation is achieved. While all the programs that were reviewed carried individual merit not all were feasible based on the mandate requirements.

The committee submitted its recommendations in mid-April to the Bus Operator’s Executive and the Transportation Manager for review and approval. The recommendations were unanimously approved and the committee has been instructed to move forward with implementation for September 2006 and target completion before the end of December 2006.

Annual training initiatives for all Elementary students within the district presented in age-suitable formats combined with a safety brochure for all students are the core of the plan. In addition, standardized “Bus Rules” were developed and will be posted in both the front and rear bulkheads of all buses before the start of the 2006-07 school year.

There are approximately 25,000 students enrolled in JK through Grade 8 throughout Lambton and Kent Counties attending the SCCDSB and LKDSB. Based on sixty students per training session and an instructional time frame of one hour for grades JK-4 and one-half hour for grades 5-8, approximately 327 hours would be needed to complete the Elementary school safety programs.

TRAINING PROGRAM OVERVIEWS:

The committee is now proceeding in the development of the training materials and building the rollout schedule. Once the material is completed, training of the selected trainers (6 teams of two individuals) will occur. Upon completion of a draft schedule, schools will be individually contacted to finalize the training dates and a master schedule / tracking list will be maintained by the Transportation Department.

Safety Program

Responsibilities

• Trainer
• Bus Operator
• Transportation Department
• Student

Resources

• Brochure
• Colouring Book