search.noResults

search.searching

dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
more rigorous driver physical fitness requirements. Fire suppression adoption remains


slow, however. One of the big reasons is cost, with systems ranging from $1,500 to over $4,000 per bus. Only 8 percent of 227 readers who respond- ed to a School Transportation News survey this month said they have installed fire suppressions systems on their special needs buses. The top two reasons they reported for not installing the system are cost and a lack of standard systems installed by OEMs on the production line. Even then, confusion between


fire suppression systems and fire extinguishers continues to cloud the issue, as illustrated by the Houston ISD incident. District communication officials


initially told School Transportation News that all of its school buses are equipped with suppression systems. However, they confused fire sup-


pression with fire extinguishers, as several student transporters have also admitted. Houston ISD provides the state-mandated fire extinguish- ers inside the school bus, and with them requirements that the systems are included in pre-service driver safety training. They are also covered during refresher training that is pro- vided throughout the school year. The district also said the school


bus driver inspected the fire extin- guishers prior to the Jan. 29 route, as is required by the standard pre-trip safety check.


Help to Prevent Fires While some states and local school


districts are still waiting to install fire suppression systems, districts else- where are already using them. Soon after the NTSB’s recommendation was released, Mobile County Pub- lic Schools in Alabama announced immediate plans to deploy fire


TRADE-IN Your Current


Working Two-Way Radios and Get Replacements FREE *


D kT- alga O Nationwide Push-To-Talk


suppression systems in 100 spe- cial-needs buses, and eventually in all 600 buses in its fleet. It then contracted with Fogmaker North America, a USSC Group company, for a retrofit. Last year, USSC Group reported


a spike in sales and interest for its products. When a fire erupts, the Fogmaker system releases a high-pressure water mist to reduce heat. The company also provides its customers with training, plus inspections of firewalls and fire suppression systems, said Ken Hedgecock. He joined Fogmaker North America in December as national sales manager, after working for three decades with Thomas Built Buses. Meanwhile, all newly purchased


special-needs school buses in Geor- gia have been required to have fire suppression systems since 2001, confirmed Pat Schofill, the director of


+ ®


Diga-Talk+ is ideal for maintaining communications and tracking all vehicles with voice communications, text messaging, and GPS tracking with no range limitations.


• AFFORDABLE Unlimited Nationwide Service Plans on the Secured Data Network.


• No laws or restrictions on radio use while operating a 4G LTE school bus or other student transportation, as they are with cell phones.


• No extra costly equipment to add like antennas and base station. 


855-530-2378 www.DigaTalkPlus.com


See Us At TSD Booth 726 www.stnonline.com 19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76