When Allegan County bus drivers took part in the first countywide emergency preparedness training, the goal was simple: give the people who carry thousands of students each day the same tools teachers and administrators already have.
“Like most schools, our transportation staff often don’t get the same emergency training,” says Troy Woodwyk, director of safety and security for the
Allegan Area ESA. “We thought it was important to bring this training to our drivers on how they respond to emergencies, whether they’re on a route, at a school, or just dealing with unexpected situations.”
The event, hosted at the
Allegan Tech Center, drew about 100 transportation employees from 11 school districts. It included classroom sessions and hands-on drills, using school buses as practice sites.
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Carey StolsonburgOver 100 Allegan County bus drivers took part in hands-on drills, building skills and confidence to handle school transportation emergencies.
For years, school districts have invested in crisis response training for educators and administrators. Transportation staffers, however, often work alone, scattered across multiple garages and campuses without access to the same opportunities.
“Bus drivers often ask, ‘What do we do in the event of X?’” Woodwyk says. “This training gives them real tools for real situations, whether it’s de-escalation, active shooter response, or other multi-hazard events.”
Interactive lessons
Derek Alexander, transportation supervisor for the Allegan ESA, said the training was a meaningful addition to the tools available to staff.
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Carey StolsonburgTraining combined classroom sessions with hands-on drills, using school buses as real-world practice sites.
“It was good training to have. We had had training in the past at (Hillside Learning Center) on how to lock down a classroom and go through the stages of what that would look like,” Alexander says. “So it was kind of cool to be able to do that in a bus. We got quite a good turnout, and had good feedback from the staff that they really enjoyed it.”
The county partnered with West Shore Educational Service District in Oceana and Mason counties to replicate a program already proven successful elsewhere in Michigan.
The sessions blended realistic scenarios with interactive drills. Law enforcement and trainers from the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT) led participants through different approaches, including using everyday items as defensive tools.
“They provided paintball face masks and came in with a Nerf gun,” Alexander explains. “They even handed out little plastic balls, like the ones from a ball pit, as an example of something you might have on your bus to distract a potential assailant.
“As far as I could tell, we had 100% participation. It didn’t seem like anybody shied away from the training, which was good.”
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Carey StolsonburgThe safety training included drivers practicing with protective respirators.
Kadin Haddock, Allegan’s former transportation supervisor and training coordinator, organized the training event before leaving for a position closer to home. He explained that the day wasn’t just about safety tactics. It was also about bringing together staff members who rarely have the chance to connect.
Fresh perspective
Drivers brought a wide range of experience, from just a few months on the job to more than 40 years. Haddock says that variety made the event especially valuable.
“For some, it was a refresher. For others, it was hands-on learning instead of just on-the-job training,” he says. “You can never stop learning on this job. Training like this changes your perspective and helps you adapt.”
Alexander agreed that the event set a strong foundation for future safety efforts.
“Some of the feedback I got was that it was one of the best trainings drivers had been through in their career, because it was designed specifically for transportation,” he says. “This is just a small step at the beginning of training when it comes to safety across the district. They’re creating new language so that everything’s aligned statewide, and we’re going to continue to use this as a stepping stone moving forward.”
Woodwyk, who spent 27 years with the Kent County Sheriff’s Department before joining the district, brings a public safety lens to school operations.
Alexander, a U.S. Army veteran, said the training connects directly to his professional journey.
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Carey StolsonburgRealistic scenarios and interactive drills, led by law enforcement and MAPT trainers, taught drivers to use everyday items as defensive tools.
“Between my military experience and my years dispatching vans and setting schedules, I see a lot of similarities,” he says. “But in this job, we handle all the special needs students in the county, which is very rewarding. I’ve really come to love working with the students and the staff. So it’s been a great transition, and I really enjoy it.”
Woodwyk says he hopes the Aug. 12 event was a starting point, not a one-time occasion.
“At the end of the day, we can’t get enough training,” he says. “It’s sometimes hard to make it happen, but this is going to be a huge success and hopefully not a one-and-done. We want to keep building on it. We’re taking proactive steps not just for our staff but for the kids on our buses and our community. That’s what this is about.”
Photos by Carey Stolsonburg