Emergency information packet developed for special-needs bus riders

The Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning and the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation’s (MAPT) Special-Needs Committee have developed a packet for documenting student emergency information in the event that special-needs children on school buses are involved in a serious vehicular accident.

The packet, which was created with input from the Michigan Department of Community Health-EMS & Trauma Unit, identifies critical information about a bus’ passengers that EMT personnel and first responders need in an emergency.

The packet includes two template forms that can be modified to include an operation’s information: name, contact persons, phone numbers, etc.

The Passenger Emergency Information Form template serves as a roster of all passengers on a bus with medical, behavior or physical issues. The Transportation Information/Emergency Sheet template can be modified to include other student information that the transportation provider feels is important. The sheet can also include a picture of the student for ease of identification.

Both of these emergency form templates can be found on the MAPT Website under the Resources-Special Needs section.

MAPT officials suggest placing the information packet above the driver’s area, preferably on the left bulkhead area across from the passenger doorway. Due to the reflective material on the outside of the packet, it would be readily visible to first responders who enter the bus through this doorway.

MAPT also noted that securing the packet inside the bus is left up to transportation providers, but ease of removal should be considered due to the need for confidentiality, form updating, wear and tear, and usage by EMT personnel and first responders.

Finally, the association recommends notifying your local emergency responders to make them aware of the information packet. The State of Michigan Medical Control Authorities Directory is also posted on the MAPT Website under the Resources-Special Needs section.

The packet is free for Michigan’s school bus transportation providers. To order packets, contact the MAPT office at (517) 886-0881.