Security from all angles

Security is the focus of this latest edition of the NAPT News & Views. Discussed below are some of the exciting things that are happening in our industry, and we want you to know how the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) is leading every day.

Modern school transportation operations are extremely complex, fast-paced organizations. It is not reasonable to expect any single individual to have a complete grasp of every operational or facility-related detail. That’s why we have worked diligently with our industry colleagues over the past two years to develop a variety of training materials that will help you understand the local and national threats to our transportation system and help you train your drivers, technicians, dispatchers, managers and supervisors.

School Bus Watch is ready
In July 2005, the American Trucking Associations (ATA), creators of the Highway Watch¨ security program, partnered with the three largest school bus associations — NAPT, NSTA (National School Transportation Association) and NASDPTS (National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services) — to create School Bus Watch, an anti-terrorism training program for school bus drivers.

Participants complete a short training program that raises their awareness of terrorism, shows them how terrorists operate and teaches them to recognize unusual behavior. Training also covers safety topics such as reporting accidents, disabled vehicles and other road hazards.

After participants complete their training, they are issued a School Bus Watch identification number, an ID card and a certificate of completion. When they observe suspicious activity or hazardous conditions, they are instructed to call the toll-free Highway Watch¨ hotline and identify themselves using their ID number. Call-center personnel immediately contact law enforcement in the area where the incident was observed. The Highway Watch¨ Call Center directs reports involving potential security threats to the Highway Information Sharing and Analysis Center.

ATA recently released a new DVD that will increase the availability and should expedite the delivery of School Bus Watch training because a school district/organization/company does not need to have a certified trainer to conduct the training. If school bus professionals view the video and complete the registration form, they qualify for enrollment.

NAPT has prepared a new section on its Website where you can view, download or order the School Bus Watch DVD. In addition, ATA is willing to ship the DVD and training manuals to any district/organization/company. For more information, visit www.napt.org and click on the SBW icon.

TSA training unveiled
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has also created a training program designed to improve school bus security. It consists of an audio-visual component and an Internet-based component for school/pupil transportation operations management, maintenance and bus driver personnel. The audio-visual products center on a 25-minute DVD. The video also comes with a leader’s guide that contains a lesson plan, group discussion guide and a security preparedness self-assessment guide and checklist.

To obtain access to the Internet products, you will have to register your school system. We have been advised that it may take up to several hours to activate your access. Visit www.stsatrain.com for additional information.

NAPT’s security assessment
We’ve also created our own school transportation security assessment program. It was designed by a nationally renowned security expert to prepare school districts and bus companies to conduct a comprehensive security review.

This four-hour program will teach you to evaluate all critical areas of your operation, including more than 150 “touch points” at your transportation facility, on your buses and in your operational procedures, staff and communication systems, as well as your school/community planning and cooperation.

Additional information about the NAPT assessment program, as well as nearly three dozen other courses in the NAPT Professional Development Series, is available online at www.napt.org or by contacting our headquarters at (800) 989-NAPT.

— LENNY BERNSTEIN, NAPT president

NAPT hires member services specialist

ALBANY, N.Y. — The National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) has hired Brianne Peck as member services specialist.

Previously, Peck served as a customer service representative with Price Chopper supermarkets.

Peck attended the State University of New York at Albany, earning a bachelor’s degree in public policy, with a minor in business administration. She received several awards and scholarships in pursuit of her undergraduate education.

“Brianne is very easy to talk to. Her youthful exuberance and energy is apparent through the phone lines. Feel free to call and welcome her — she’ll be happy to hear from you!” said Lynn Martin, NAPT’s marketing and communications specialist.