STN EXPO hosted a visceral experience to train student transporters in emergency school bus evacuations. A bus loaned by Washoe County Schools was set up in the parking lot of the Peppermill Hotel Resort and filled with fog machines for attendees to traverse as they attempted to “rescue” a predetermined number of dolls standing in for students.

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Images by Nashawn Craig / 0312 Photography.

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Over 200 Ohio school bus drivers gathered in Mansfield for an emergency training course, reported Fox 8.

The emergency training course held June 16 aimed to help school bus drivers to better understand what it is like trying to evacuate a bus filled with students as it is catching fire, or if the bus has rolled over following a crash.

For one of the exercises, drivers reportedly filled into a bus as if they were students and were encouraged to think as if their students were on board the bus. The bus was filled up with fog to mimic smoke from a fire.

Drivers that attended the training told local news reporters that the experience was far more intense than what they might have been taught in their driver training.

“If you are actually in that situation, it is ten times scarier than training, it’s unbelievable,” said Shardae Taylor of Mansfield, who participated as the driver of the bus that was filled with “smoke” and the one tasked with making sure everyone evacuated safely.

For another scenario, the drivers were led into a school bus that was overturned on its side. For the drill, the bus was drained of fluids, including fuel and oil, but drivers could easily see how disorienting it was inside the overturned bus as they worked to evacuate through vents in the roof, window and a back door.

With the help of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, drivers were also instructed in safety procedures, including where law requires them to place placards on the roadway in the event of a breakdown, cutting seatbelts on buses that have them on board and how to properly use flares.

Jim Sullivan of the Ohio Bus Pre-Service program told local news reporters that part of the funding for the training comes from the Department of Education. Training drivers, particularly in how to react in emergency scenarios, can save lives.

On any given school day, there are reportedly more than 700,000 children across Ohio who ride buses to school. Their safety is in the hands of between 15 and 20 thousand drivers.

The news report states that although the 240 drivers in attendance represent only a small percentage of all school bus drivers across the state, the hope is that they will take what they learn and share it with other drivers in their communities.

Related: WATCH: Fire Expert to Lead School Bus Evacuation Training at STN EXPO West
Related: Accident Investigation Training Returns to STN EXPO West
Related: TSD Evacuation Class Emphasizes Importance of Training
Related: Operation STEER Hands-On School Bus Emergency Training Expands in Texas

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WASHINGTON, DC, – Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), the national rail safety education nonprofit, is urging the public to recognize and understand how to use Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs – not just on the first-ever Emergency Notification System (ENS) Sign Awareness Day, taking place Tuesday, June 24, 2025, but year-round.

“Located across the U.S. where roadways cross railroad tracks, ENS signs provide a critical connection to railroads in emergencies,” said OLI Executive Director Rachel Maleh. “Recognizing and using this sign in a crisis – like a stuck vehicle or trouble on the tracks – can save lives, when seconds count.”

Each rectangular Blue and White ENS sign displays a unique phone number and crossing ID – vital information that allows the public to report emergencies quickly, when every moment matters.

See trouble on or near the tracks? Safely find the ENS sign, call the number listed and provide the crossing ID. This is also great information to share when calling 911.

If your vehicle is stuck or stalls on the tracks:
Get out immediately. Get far away from the tracks – even if no train is in sight.
Find the ENS sign and call the number listed. Give the dispatcher the crossing ID.
No sign, call 911.

“The sign may be small, but its impact is enormous,” said Maleh. “This campaign empowers people with knowledge that can make all the difference in an emergency. Knowing what to do – and how to act quickly – can prevent a tragedy.”

“ENS Sign Awareness Day is a powerful reminder – but this is a message that matters every day of the year,” Maleh added. “Together, we can stop track tragedies.”

A Nationwide Awareness Effort
ENS Sign Awareness Day — June 24, 2025 — shines a spotlight on the lifesaving importance of the Blue and White Emergency Notification System (ENS) signs posted at railroad crossings. Help raise awareness wherever you are — at home, on the job or out in your neighborhood.

What You Can Do
Engage Locally. Connect with your State Coordinator and attend an ENS community event. Educate your friends, family and community about ENS signs and how to use them. Follow OLI on social and share our daily rail safety education messages.
Volunteer with OLI. Share our ready-to-use PSAs, videos, infographics and social posts. Share the importance of the ENS sign as well as OLI’s FREE RISC Training with your first responders.

About Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) is a national #RailSafetyEducation nonprofit dedicated to stopping track tragedies through public awareness and education campaigns as well as a national volunteer network that gives free presentations encouraging safe behavior near tracks and trains. OLI supports the efforts of 47 state programs and the District of Columbia in sharing the rail safety education message. Explore OLI’s virtual library of rail safety materials on the oli.org website. Visit oli.org to learn more, take a rail safety pledge, request free presentations and volunteer. Follow OLI on social media via Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, X and YouTube.

The post Operation Lifesaver, Inc. Launches Inaugural ENS Sign Awareness Day on June 24 Campaign Spotlights Lifesaving Blue and White Signs at Railroad Crossings appeared first on School Transportation News.

Two high school students in Manchester, New Hampshire, are being recognized for their quick actions in helping their bus driver who became ill during his route.

The incident occurred on May 29 when the bus driver of the school bus transporting Memorial High School students back home. He began feeling unwell and pulled over to the side of the road.

According to a statement from the school, the driver, identified as Annese, radioed for help and told dispatchers he needed medicine. Student passengers Jadiel Mota and Rajahn Carrero, both sophomores at the local high school, quickly stepped up and helped the driver.

Mota told school officials that he had seen things like this happen before, so he immediately moved up from his seat, got on the radio, and tried to communicate the exact location of the bus to dispatch.

Meanwhile, Carrero, helped keep the driver calm. After realizing Annese did not have enough to eat during the day, Carrero asked his fellow riders for food and water.

Carrero told school officials that the whole bus deserved a “shout out” because without them helping, calling 911 and getting the food and water, this situation could have been different. The teen is a member of the Manchester Fire Department’s Junior Fire Explorers program, and he said the incident proved to him he could someday become a firefighter or EMT.

According to school officials, Annese was evaluated and treated for dehydration. He thanked Carrero and Mota but also echoed Carrero’s sentiments that the entire bus deserved praise.

Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel said the statement that the district is relieved Annese is alright and praised the students for their efforts. The district plans to recognize the students at an upcoming school board meeting.

Related: Iowa Students Help School Bus Driver During Medical Episode
Related: Pennsylvania Students Help School Bus Driver After He Passes Out
Related: Massachusetts School Bus Driver Crashes into Trees Due to Medical Emergency
Related: Minnesota Student Radios Help After School Bus Driver Suffer Medical Emergency

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A group of Manheim Township School District students were recognized for helping their school bus driver, who passed out while driving, reported WGAL 8.

The incident reportedly occurred May 7, when school bus driver Mikel Tiedeken was dropping off students.

Tristan Dibbs, a student that witnessed the incident, told local news reporters that  Tiedeken walked toward the stairs of the bus while swaying a little bit to the left and right. In a matter of seconds, Tiedeken fell down the stairs at the front of the bus, scaring the students.

Two students, who were not identified in this writing, called 911 while others tried to figure out what to do next.

Eighth grader Jose Martinez told local news reporters that everyone started to help him. Tenth grader Isabella Gonzalez, who was near the front of the bus, also stated that she tried her best to help and get Tiedeken up from the bottom of the stairs.

According to the article, Tiedeken is okay. His doctor said he suffered a reaction to  new medication.

Tiedeken told reporters that the experience filled his heart in a new way and that he was humbled by the immediate action the students took to help him.

Brightbill Transportation, which reportedly runs busing for the district, provided pizza for the students. The teens also received certificates of recognition from the district.

Related: Minnesota Student Radios Help After School Bus Driver Suffer Medical Emergency
Related: Wisconsin Teen Grabs Wheel of School Bus After Driver Passes Out
Related: Massachusetts School Bus Driver Crashes into Trees Due to Medical Emergency
Related: Iowa Students Help School Bus Driver During Medical Episode

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