La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CXIII-1303

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section CXIII-1303 - Emergency Exit Drills

A. Students who ride a school bus must be instructed in organized emergency exit procedures. Schools shall organize and conduct, in accordance with the Louisiana School Bus Operator Training Manual, emergency drills for all students who may ride school buses.

B. One emergency exit drill shall be held during the first six weeks of each school semester. LEA administrators must provide opportunities at the beginning of each semester for all students riding a school bus to and from school and/or school-related activities to participate in emergency drill exits.

C. The designated school administrator shall complete the emergency evacuation drill verification form (Form T-8) each semester and send the completed form to the transportation office.

D. Three exit drill methods are required.

1. All passengers exit through the service (front) door.

2. All passengers exit through the rear emergency exit.

3. Passengers in the front half of the bus exit through the service door; passengers in the rear half exit through the rear emergency exit.

E. If an additional emergency exit door is installed on the bus, passengers should be taught how to exit through this door. It is not necessary to require exiting through emergency exit windows and roof-top hatches during drills, but evacuation procedures using these exits should be explained to passengers.

F. The following guidelines are given for conducting the emergency exit drills:

1. have a local written policy covering the drills;

2. school officials should schedule drills with drivers;

3. practice drills on school grounds, during school hours, in a safe place, and under supervision of the principal or by persons assigned by the principal to act in a supervisory capacity;

4. time and record each drill;

5. practice exiting the bus through the service (front) door and the emergency rear and/or side door. Instruct students on use of other available emergency exits; and

6. students shall practice going a distance of at least 100 feet from the bus and remain there in a group until further directions are given by the principal or persons assigned by the principal to act in a supervisory capacity. Practice drills must provide instruction for student helpers to assist passengers from the bus. Further direction regarding student helpers is discussed in §1307 Students must be instructed in how and where to get help in emergencies.

G. Important Factors Pertaining to School Bus Evacuation Drills

1. Safety of students is of the utmost importance and must be considered first.

2. All drills should be supervised by the principal or by persons assigned to act in a supervisory capacity.

3. The bus driver is responsible for the safety of the students. In the event of driver incapacitation, see Section 1307

La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CXIII-1303

Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 25:632 (April 1999), amended LR 36:1474 (July 2010), LR 37:2123 (July 2011), Amended LR 42231 (2/1/2016).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:158, R.S. 17:160-161, and R.S. 17:164-166.