Where were you?

On Sept. 11, 2001, I was beginning my sophomore year of college in a smallNew Englandtown. News spread rapidly across campus that day. Classes were canceled and a candlelight vigil was planned. The New Yorkers on campus wore particularly grim expressions that are indelibly imprinted in my memory. My parents back home inSan Diegocalled me in my dorm room, their fear and worry barely masked in their urgent voices.

Until joining the SBF staff, I had never thought of what must have happened on school buses that day. Were students sent home early, affecting bus schedules? Did bus drivers console worried children? How did the events impact your operation?

Furthermore, what has been done in the aftermath? The Department of Homeland Security, which celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, hosts on its Website a page dedicated to School Preparedness, which lists grant funding opportunities, training resources and other links providing help for schools.

Among the listings is the Transportation Security Administration’s School Transportation Security Awareness page, describing a program TSA has developed in conjunction with NASDPTS, NAPT and NSTA to provide information and training to the school bus industry.

NSTA also addresses school bus safety on its Website, listing information on DHS Counterterrorism Awareness Workshops and other resources.

TSA is also working on a school bus vulnerability assessment which was due to Congress in August, but is not yet completed. TSA and DHS must both review the report before submitting it to Congress, which representatives hope to do sometime this fall. Watch SBF’s news online for updates.

Have you implemented any programs or training specific to terrorism and security at your operation? If so, please tell us about it in the comments or e-mail us at info@schoolbusfleet.com.

Safe travels,

Claire Atkinson

Senior Editor