Safety & Security - Always Together By Carmen Daecher

September 11, 2001 - 2 years ago. Seems like yesterday. The memory of that horrible day and its impact upon our lives will be with us forever.

Much has been written about security. All levels of government, many aspects of our lives have changed in the interest of security. And, the transportation industry has been profoundly affected.

The airline industry has been most directly affected. And the trucking industry, especially in the hazardous materials sector, have also been directly affected by security considerations. And rail, marine, and pipeline transportation companies have also experienced change since that fateful day two years ago.

The bus industry hasn't been immune to this either. But, we have had less governmental/regulatory change than most other transportation industry sectors. at the same time, we have been probably the most profoundly affected form a business and revenue point of view because of the fears and concerns of the general public as it relates to their safety and security. While we have received less attention than others thus far, we have experienced the most direct pressures in addressing and meeting the new challenges associated with our customers' concern for secure transportation.

In some ways, calming their fears is outside of our control. Every time an event takes place (like the beginning of the war in Iraq) it affects the bus industry. Cancellations and reduced bookings affect our bottom line and operations. We must rely on a new vigilance of our country to reduce these fears over time.

What we can do is make our operations more secure. In doing so, we will make our operations even safer than they are. Just as service and safety go hand-in-hand, security and safety are joined together as well. What can you do to provide more secure operations? Here is a list of items to consider:

• Provide photo identification for all drivers and require them to wear that identification while operating one of your buses. Passengers will immediately gain a sense of your awareness for security.
• Consider incorporating criminal background checks as part of your hiring process. Some trucking operations and other transportation sectors are required to do this now. It would be worthwhile for you to be assured that your employees do not have recent criminal backgrounds that could cause concern. And don't be afraid to advertise this hiring criteria to potential customers.
• Consider using psychological profile tests to detect violent tendencies and other undesirable personal traits as part of your hiring process.
• Provide training to your drivers for managing aggressive situations on your bus. Also train them to identify potentially dangerous situations and people, and how to respond in the event of a security - threatening incident. There are excellent training materials available currently, and more are forthcoming. Use them as part of your driver training programs.
• Add and enforce policies which prohibit inappropriate behaviors, weapons on the premises and on board, and treats of any kind. Place warning decals in the bus to warn all passengers.
• Stress the importance of pre-trip inspections as they pertain to insuring that vehicles have not been tampered with. Drivers should check internal and external compartments and storage areas as well as the underside of the bus.
• Match bags to passengers, never allow unaccompanied bags on board. Restrict access to baggage compartments.
• Consider using and installing GPS systems for tracking of buses and emergency communication purposes.
• When parking overnight during a trip, disconnect batteries and lock all doors. Park in secure locations if possible. And don't park in isolated or unlit areas.
• Institute a regular call-in program for everyone that travels outside of the premises. Have a codeword or phrase that if used is a signal of warning or danger.
• Establish a communication protocol for all employees in the event of potential security related situations.
• Develop and plan an emergency system shutdown procedure as well as an emergency passenger evacuation plan. Some of these will involve coordination with your frequent destinations or with local and state governments, and fire and police departments.
• Make sure your facilities are as secure as possible. Keep your buses locked inside the garage or enclose the parking area and lock it when unattended.
• Limit access to fuels and duel areas, with authorized personnel only allowed to operate fueling equipment.
• Assure the facility is "on the schedule" of police patrol rounds.

From where I'm sitting, providing more secure operations is no longer an option. Your customers and your employees want to know that you care about their security. Your commitment to secure operations is a natural extension of your commitment to safety.

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