School Bus Safety Week Launch

Emergency personnel received some unique training this week as Delaney Bus Lines staged a vehicle collision involving a school bus at our facility in Avonmore.  As part of School Bus Safety Week, which is observed across the province from October 19-23, Delaney Bus Lines hosted a safety awareness event that included a mock school bus accident and driver skills competition.

“We do everything possible to ensure children get to school and back home safe,” says Mike Delaney, President of Delaney Bus Lines.  “We hope that this event will not only raise safety awareness for students and drivers, but will also provide our local emergency personnel with the opportunity to practice their skills in dealing with the unfortunate event of an accident involving a school bus.”

The event was held on October 19, 2009 with school board transportation officials, Ron Cotnam from the UCDSB and Nicole Makinson from the CDSBEO, in attendance to launch School Bus Safety Week 2009 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Cornwall Towing donated the vehicles used to stage the accident scene. EMS staff responded to the incident and delivered patient care.  Fire personnel from the North Stormont Fire Department  secured the vehicles and assisted with patient care and extrication, while officers with the Ontario Provincial Police secured and investigated the scene.  Students from Tagwi Secondary School also took part in the incident as injured passengers on board the bus.

Following the mock accident, Delaney school bus drivers participated in various exercises including: a post-accident analysis, a pre-trip inspection workshop and a digital fire extinguisher training exercise.  The day wrapped up with a fantastic chili lunch prepared by Tagwi's Hospitality class.