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nical Committee to address state efforts to erroneously regulate vehicle standards. Te issue gained steam after the Maryland state legislature introduced a bill with curious language that would require school bus seats to adhere to ASTM standards for upholstered furni- ture and would require each plastic component contained in the engine compartment of a school bus to meet a V-0 classification when tested in accordance with Underwriters Labo- ratories Inc. Standards for Safety UL 94. Te provisions were supported by the California non-profit group Citizens for Fire Safe-


ty, but state director Leon Langley pointed out that NHTSA governs Federal Motor Ve- hicle Safety Standards for school buses and could address the issue at the federal level. He added every state has language in their specs that address fire safety.


The language was ultimately removed and the bill


passed. But Langley told his fellow state directors that the exercise proved the importance of collaboration be- tween school districts and manufacturers to make sure any legislation that is introduced makes sense. Dan Schultz, the transportation director for Southeast


Polk Community School District in Pleasant Hill, Iowa, shared information from a bus fire and resulting explosion earlier this year. Te driver, John Fothergill, received the 2011 Blue Bird Heroism Award for safely evacuating all of the students. Schultz explained that Fothergill at first noticed flames


rising from under the hood while driving down a residen- tial street. He pulled over, and smoke began to rise from the steering column, at which time he evacuated all of the students. Within 5 minutes, the bus was fully involved. Schultz credited Fothergill’s quick thinking and action and the school district’s mandated evacuation drills. “Tat whole system we have worked. Tirty minutes a year saves lives,” he added.


“A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a


great player.”


- Legendary UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden


Meanwhile, NASDPTS attendees heard an inspiring key-


note on the four necessary elements of creating a winning team from retired professional basketball player Mark Ea- ton, who played 12 seasons in the NBA for the Utah Jazz. Solid teamwork is necessary now more than ever, as the in- dustry must work as a unit – from local district transpor- tation departments up the state chain and finally across the nation – rather than fighting itself. At 7-feet, 4-inches, Eaton cast an intimidating shadow


on the basketball court, but it didn’t start out that way. Despite his height, he said he had little playing skill, log- ging all of about three minutes in high school and tempo- rarily hanging up his sneakers after graduation to become an auto mechanic. As a 21-year old, at the continuous ha- rassment of a local community college coach in Cypress, Calif., who unlocked his hidden talent, Eaton went on to play at UCLA. But stardom continued to elude him. Only after heeding the sage advice given to him by NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain did he realize his dream … of finally be- ing able to tell people when asked about his height that, yes, he did play basketball. “I stopped running around trying to do everything


and focused on the one thing I was good at,” said Eaton, who went on to set the NBA record for blocked shots in a season at 456. He twice was named NBA Defen- sive Player of the Year, was selected to the NBA All-Star team in 1989 and had his No. 53 jersey retired by the Jazz after his retirement.


8 See us at Booth #212 THE SHOW REPORTER


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