When: August 26, 2026, 9 AM - 5 PM

Where: RTA's 8510 Corridor Road, Savage MD, 20763 offices.

Who: Administrators and supervisors responsible for the training of drivers and dispatchers.

Cost: $50 per registrant, Maximum of 25 Registrants.

Click here to Register!

Presented by Master Trainer Michael Watts, this one day Evacuation class is geared for the trainer or administrator of the agency (the person training drivers and dispatchers). The class is designed to help trainers and/or administrators understand why it's so important for their agency to have a plan developed for the purpose of what they expect the drivers to do in certain scenarios; fire, roll over, accidents with injuries, etc. Each scenario must be written in a short and concise manner that is easy for the driver to memorize the steps and then practice those steps. This enables the driver to act quickly instead of reacting and panicking. The driver only has 2 1/2-3 minutes to fully evacuate the bus before the fire breaks through the firewall, and fills the bus with deadly smoke and eventually being engulfed by fire at 4 minutes. 

• The class will discuss the available exits of the vehicle; rear door, roof hatch (if any), emergency windows, bus doors and what to use to keep the seals fresh.
• The class will address how to evacuate ambulatory passengers as well as non-ambulatory passengers 100 feet away from the bus until first responders arrive (which could take longer than 4 minutes).
• The class will address the placement of safety triangles after evacuation is complete if possible smoke or fire. There are different scenarios for this based on 2 lane roads, 5 lane roads, and curvy roads.

The class will then break into groups of 5 , Each group receiving different scenarios, and they will work together to write procedures for that scenario. After everyone is finished, the class will discuss each scenario as a class for changes or modifications. Attendees will be provided with written procedures for each scenario after discussion.

The class also includes instructions on web cutting. Boards with webbing attached for each attendee to cut webbing twice will be provided.  An actual demonstration on a cutaway bus will cap the workshop for attendees.

One attendee per agency will be permitted until July 31, at which time all additional seats will be made available. Registration for TAM members is available at the discounted rate of $50 per attendee, which includes a provided lunch.