formance and overall fleet management. As for advice to newcomers entering the industry, Pat-
rick said the key to a safe and a reliable fleet is a strong preventive and predictive maintenance program. He advised learning all one can, “but never lose sight of the fundamentals, and always use solid data, not emotions to guide your decisions,” he concluded. SCDE is one of three maintenance teams profiled in this month’s issue. In the 10th annual Garage Stars
feature, STN focused not only on individual recognition as in year’s past, but on maintenance teams as well. With over 80 nominations of both teams and individuals, School Transportation News Technical Editor Robert Pu- dlewski used his same 10-point criteria to narrow the list down to seven individual Garage Stars and three teams that are featured in this month’s issue. Many recognized have a focus on learning and training, inspiring others to gain as much knowledge as possible in the industry.
The maintenance team at Buncombe County Schools is recognized for its heroic actions during Hurricane Helene. Buncombe County Schools, North Carolina — Call to Action
Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Florida, Tennes- see, Georgia, North and South Carolina last September. The transportation department at Buncombe County Schools near hard-hit Asheville, North Carolina played a critical role in supporting the community’s emergency response efforts. The department partnered directly with the local emergency operations center (EOC) to manage fuel logistics during the first two weeks of the storm’s af- termath, as fuel supplies across the region were limited. Buncombe opened its fuel facilities to emergency
responders, law enforcement, EMS and rescue vehi- cles. Plus, the department deployed its own fuel trucks and coordinated with neighboring counties to bring in additional resources, which supported fire departments, powered generators at emergency shelters and ensured the delivery of fuel to water distribution sites, refrigerat- ed trucks carrying perishable supplies and portable light
36 School Transportation News • AUGUST 2025
towers in critical locations. Two members of the team lost their own homes, but still chose to serve others. “One of our most vital contributions was transport-
ing fuel to remote mountain communication sites,” the team shared. “These generators powered essential EOC systems and cell towers—restoring communication channels that had been knocked out by the storm and helping reconnect our region when it mattered most.” In the garage, six of the 18 team members have over
20 years of experience, and there is 170 years of ex- perience in all. The strong culture of longevity and teamwork sets the department above the rest. “That experience combined with a collaborative environment creates a positive, efficient and supportive workplace where everyone is committed to keeping students safe,” the team members shared. “Working as a team is crucial in school bus maintenance because it ensures safety, ef-
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