Minneapolis district builds mobile command center

Minneapolis district builds mobile command center

Minneapolis Public Schools’ plant operations and transportation services team spent four years converting an older school bus into the mobile command center. It’s outfitted with such equipment as a flat-screen TV, two-way radios and laptops, and it’s designed to be used as a command post in a major emergency that prohibits the district’s buses from successfully transporting students.

Bolstering communications with digital two-way radios

In a recent SBF webinar sponsored by Motorola, speakers discussed benefits and best practices in using digital two-way radios for school transportation. Here’s a recap of the discussion, along with access to the archived webinar.

School bus drivers aid in Boston evacuation

After the explosions at last week's Boston Marathon, eight school bus drivers from AA Transportation stepped up to shuttle people away from the site. Company President Ron Ernenwein commends the drivers for their actions, noting that "not one person opted to go home, complained the assignment was too hard or took a break after the 18th hour of shuttling."

Stormwaters strand school buses in Midwest

In Oswego, Ill., a school bus slid into a ditch along a washed-out section of road. Four students and the driver were evacuated from the stuck bus. Near Ava, Mo., a school bus became temporarily stranded in an area between two low water crossings that became inundated.

REMINDER: Webinar to offer tips for 2-way radios

The free web seminar, “Digital Two-Way Radios: Bolstering Communications, Security & Compliance,” will be presented by SCHOOL BUS FLEET and Motorola on Wednesday. Topics to be discussed include security and emergency preparedness, clear communication and regulation compliance.

Hurricane Sandy: the impact on NYC's school bus fleets

Last fall's massive storm on the East Coast created a surge of challenges for student transportation in New York City, from flooded bus yards and offices to fuel and equipment shortages. Here's an overview of the crisis and how the city's Office of Pupil Transportation responded.

More details on Alabama bus driver’s heroic response

The confrontation between an armed intruder and school bus driver Charles Poland lasted more than four minutes, with Poland standing in the aisle to block the gunman from his students and refusing to move, according to a report from CNN. Meanwhile, students in the back of the bus opened the rear emergency exit so they could escape.

Krapf Bus donates phones to 911 Cell Phone Bank

The school bus contractor recently updated its cellular network and searched for an organization that would put the old phones to good use. Krapf decided on the 911 Cell Phone Bank, which provides law enforcement with free emergency cell phones for seniors and victims of abuse.

Snapshots — Fall 2012/Winter 2013