Girard, Liberty bus drivers get together to train

Staff report

GIRARD -- Transportation staff from the Girard City School and Liberty Local School districts came together Friday for a joint professional development program focused on student safety, emergency preparedness and collaboration.

The training, which took place at Girard High School, gave bus drivers and transportation staff from both districts an opportunity to review procedures and practice responding to real-life emergencies. During the morning session, representatives from the Girard and Liberty police departments discussed transportation safety and the steps drivers should take if they are involved in an accident.

In the afternoon, the Girard and Liberty fire departments led hands-on emergency evacuation training. Drivers practiced safely evacuating buses filled with simulated smoke, allowing them to experience the limited visibility and other challenges they could encounter during an actual emergency.

"Keeping our students safe is always our highest priority," said Deidre Schimpf, Girard City School District's transportation supervisor. "Training alongside our police, fire and neighboring transportation professionals gives our drivers valuable experience and helps ensure they are prepared to respond calmly and effectively during an emergency."

Liberty transportation supervisor Debbie Minniti emphasized the value of the partnership between the two districts.

"Working together allows our transportation teams to share knowledge, strengthen their skills and learn from one another," Minniti said. "Girard and Liberty are stronger together, and opportunities like this help us provide the safest possible transportation experience for every student."

The joint development program demonstrated the shared commitment of Girard City schools, Liberty Local schools, and their local first responders to protecting students and preparing transportation staff for emergencies, according to a news release sent by both districts.