CDL · Emergency Evacuation

What is the standard procedure for evacuating a school bus through the front door?

Correct answer

Have students leave their belongings, exit one at a time starting with the front, walk (do not run), assemble at a safe distance away from the bus and away from traffic, and do a head count

  1. A Have students run out as fast as possible
  2. B Have students leave their belongings, exit one at a time starting with the front, walk (do not run), assemble at a safe distance away from the bus and away from traffic, and do a head count
  3. C Open all doors and have students choose
  4. D Have students stay on board

Why this is the answer

Standard front-door evacuation procedure: order all students to leave their belongings behind (slower and creates obstacles); have them exit one at a time, walking not running, starting from the front rows and proceeding back; direct them to assemble at a designated safe distance from the bus (typically at least 100 feet, well away from traffic and away from any fire); appoint older students as helpers to guide younger ones; conduct a head count using the same count from boarding to verify all students are accounted for; report any missing students to first responders immediately. The driver leaves the bus last after confirming no student remains.
Source: FMCSA CDL Manual 10.3.2 Front Door Evacuation

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