Need more than just seat belts on school buses

First I would like to reveal my experience in firefighting 31 years and school bus driver 15 years.

I have read much about the installation of seat belts in school buses.

I agree with the basic concept but think it needs to be expanded.

The expansion is to consider the seat belts when there is a fire on a school bus.

Fires on school buses occur on a daily basis, according to government and private studies on fire in school buses.

When they do occur they usually start in the engine compartment or wheel wells.

And when he do occur they are smoky, fast moving fires.

This due to the construction of the buses; the surface under the floor mat is plywood and many components are plastic .

A problem with seat belts is that many of the buses carry 30 to 70 students at a time — how do they release the belts in a panic.

The driver will not be able to release the students in a short period of time. Older students may be able to do it themselves, but what about preschool, kindergarten and special needs students.

With this in mind I think the system should be expanded to include a fire detection and/or fire suppression system on each bus with seat belts.

There are many of these systems available in the market and the cost would be small compared to safety given.

They would detect the fire and extinguish it before it engulfs the bus in heavy smoke and flames.

The alternative would be to have a monitor on each bus and seat belts cutters.

The cost of the monitors and additional training in extrication by drivers and monitors must be considered.

Legislator should be enacted with the requirements for seat belts to include training and equipment for fire safety for the buses beyond the current standards .

Once again, I agree with the basic requirement but it should be an inclusive system for total safety of our most precious cargo, our children. Eugene Rouse Avon