Approximately 250 student transportation professionals and first responders from 67 school districts gathered at Children’s Health Stadium in Prosper ISD on May 9, 2026, for the third annual North Texas Operation STEER event, a hands-on emergency preparedness training designed to strengthen response capabilities during school transportation emergencies.

Operation STEER, which stands for School Transportation Emergency Education and Response, focuses on immersive, scenario-based training that prepares participants to respond confidently and effectively during high-stress incidents involving school buses.

Throughout the day, participants rotated through a series of emergency response scenarios designed to simulate real-world conditions. Training stations included rollover bus evacuations, smoke-filled bus navigation, Stop the Bleed and CPR exercises, live fire suppression training, student evacuation procedures, and specialized emergency response techniques for transporting students with special needs.

One of the most impactful components of the event was the rollover bus evacuation exercise, where participants entered a bus positioned on its side and practiced locating, releasing, and evacuating passengers through the roof hatch under disorienting conditions.

Additional training focused on evolving safety standards, including instruction from IMMI and Safeguard regarding three-point seat belt systems in alignment with House Bill 546. Participants also worked with BESI, Q’Straint, and Sure-Lok on emergency evacuation procedures involving students who use wheelchairs and other mobility equipment.

The event incorporated live demonstrations and coordinated emergency response activities involving Prosper Fire Department, rescue teams using heavy extraction equipment, and air medical landings from PHI Air Medical and AMR Air Evac Lifeteam.

“The presentations were very well organized and professional,” one participant said. “The hands-on activities were very informative. The extreme measures, including the rolled-over bus and the smoke-filled bus, were impressive and very engaging. It has been the best training event I have experienced.”

Another attendee highlighted the broader impact of the event, stating: “The most valuable information I acquired was the importance of communication, situational awareness, and emergency response procedures. I also learned how teamwork, preparation, and quick decision-making play a critical role in protecting students, staff, and the community during critical situations.”

Organized by Diane Wilson, safety and training specialist with Region 6 Education Service Center, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation and local emergency response agencies, the event emphasized practical experience, collaboration, and readiness when seconds matter most.

“Operation STEER is about preparing people before a crisis happens,” Wilson said. “In an emergency, there is no time to figure things out. Training must be realistic, hands-on, and repeated enough that the response becomes instinctive.”

Operation STEER was made possible through collaboration and support from numerous industry partners committed to advancing student transportation safety, including Holt Truck Centers, Longhorn Bus Parts, Thomas Bus, Southwest International Trucks, Buck’s Wheel & Equipment, IMMI Safeguard, Safe Fleet, Highpoint Printing, Transfinder, Blue Bird, Rush Bus Centers, First Services, SMART Tag, BESI, AMF Bruns, Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, United Safety and Survivability Corporation, and Roush CleanTech.

Operation STEER remains focused on ensuring transportation professionals and emergency responders are equipped with the knowledge, experience, and confidence necessary to respond effectively during critical incidents.