ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE EEAC-9/01
School Bus Accident Protocol
TO:
All Principals, Administrators, and Supervisory Staff
FROM:
Dr. John H. Kidd, Division Superintendent
DATE:
September 2001
In the event of a school bus accident, the following protocol is meant as a guide to facilitate the
treatment of students, dissemination of information and the assignment of personnel related to the
event. (attached)
Rockingham County Public Schools
Transportation Department
1210 N. Liberty Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
School Bus Accident
September 2001
A.
In case of an accident:

The driver will communicate immediately, word of the accident to the Transportation
Office, conveying location, seriousness of the accident, injuries, etc.

The bus driver will account for all students via the bus roster - the driver will evacuate
students if it is unsafe for them to remain on the bus.

The Transportation Department will immediately call "Emergency 911.”

The Transportation Department will call the school principal and Superintendent’s
Office to report the accident.

Information about the accident with bus number, school involved and location will be
given to each school principal and request that they stand by in case assistance is
needed.

The Transportation Office will initiate the procedure outlined below if students are
transported to the hospital.
B.

Role of support personnel:
Director of Transportation and Bus Garage Shop Foreman will go to the scene of the
accident.
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Take charge of bus driver
Speak with law enforcement
Complete report on accident
Other duties as needed
The Superintendent of Schools will be informed of the accident(s) and all details of
students involved, injuries, etc. Reports to hospital if students are transported.
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Work with hospital personnel in identifying students and parents
Communicate with school personnel at accident scene
Conduct press conference with hospital personnel

Assistant Superintendent will report to the school when needed. Reports to second
hospital if students are transported to multiple facilities.
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Director of Vocational & Alternative Education will report to the hospital when
needed. Reports to third hospital if students are transported to multiple facilities.
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Work with hospital personnel in identifying students and parents
Communicate with school personnel at accident scene
Communicate with school personnel at the school
Work with hospital personnel in identifying students and parents
Communicate with school personnel at accident scene
Communicate with school personnel at the school
Director of School Finance will remain at the Central Office to assist with the
emergency.
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Will assume the role of Public Information Officer
Release information to press as provided by Superintendent

Executive Director of Human Resources will remain at the Central Office to assist with
the emergency.

School Principal will report to the scene of the accident. The Assistant Principal of the
School will remain at the school or, if directed, report to the scene of the accident to
assist. Principal and Assistant Principal will report to hospital after accident scene has
been secured.
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Wear some form of school personnel identification
Take an Emergency Care Kit (emergency care forms, bus roster, cell phone, notepads & pencils)
Report to Rescue Commander for directions
Assist as directed in tagging students with I.D. before transported to hospital
Students not taken to hospital MUST be checked by emergency personnel before released to parents
Control the checking out of students with parents (take notes on all children)
Communicate with Superintendent at hospital
Communicate with the school, names of students being transported to the hospital
The school is to refer all calls from the news media to the Public Information Officer (Director of
School Finance)
School Nurse shall report to the school to assist with the emergency as needed.
 Evaluate students returning from the accident to school (Triage)
 Confer with parents on conditions to watch their children for at home
 Assist school staff with medical conditions that may arise in the building with staff, parents and
students
 If more than one nurse is needed, Transportation will make arrangements to have additional nurses
at the school

In the event of an absence of one or more assigned duty administrator(s), substitute
assignments are noted below:
Administrator
Designee
Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent
Assistant Superintendent
Director of Program Development & Evaluation
Director of Transportation
Director of Grants & Partnerships
Director of School Finance
Executive Director of Personnel
Executive Director of Personnel
Director of School Finance

Selected teachers of school involved will remain at school to assist. Staff certified in
First Aid and CPR are to assist the school nurse.

Neighboring School Principals will be directed by the Transportation Office to report to
the school involved to assist in the emergency.
“Buddy System”
(subject to change as deemed by situation)
Turner Ashby High School & Pence Middle School
John Wayland Elementary & Pleasant Valley Elementary School
Mountain View Elementary, Ottobine Elementary & Linville/Edom Elementary
Spotswood High School & Montevideo Middle School
Elkton Middle School & Montevideo Middle School
McGaheysville Elementary & Elkton Elementary School
Peak View Elementary, McGaheysville Elementary & Lacey Spring Elementary
South River Elementary & Pleasant Valley Elementary
Broadway High School & Hillyard Middle School
Plains Elementary, John C. Myers Elementary & Fulks Run Elementary
Linville/Edom Elementary, Lacey Spring Elementary & Plains Elementary
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Medical reports on injuries will be released by the hospital.

The police will release legal charges, if any, involving the driver.