DID YOU KNOW? FCS Debuts Bus Training Simulators
Thanks to federal funds from Fulton County School's Bridge to Success Plan, transporting students may be a little safer with the help of some exciting new bus driver training simulators. Fulton County Schools (FCS) recently became the first school district in the state to purchase two bus driver simulators for a total of $425,000 from Doron Precision Systems, Inc. Similar to flight training simulators, the new units allow trainees an opportunity to experience what it's like to sit in the actual cab of a school bus - complete with all the lights, sounds, vibrations, and over 100 different scenarios a driver could potentially face on the road.
What started as an idea of Superintendent Dr. Mike Looney over two years ago, has now come to fruition with two simulators currently being housed in the district's north and south bus transportation hubs. Dr. Looney along with a few other district leaders got a chance to actually try out the new simulators at a recent demo and were all fascinated and surprised at how difficult mastering and safely maneuvering a bus filled with students could potentially be. "These simulators are powerful tools for safety and will be game changers in helping our drivers gain more expertise and confidence" says Dr. Looney.
District leaders also hope the new simulators will be a positive recruitment tool to help mitigate the current nationwide school bus driver shortage. FCS currently offers a paid on-the-job training program towards earning a Commercial Driver's License.
To view the full article on the FCS news website, click here.
For more information on how the district is working to solve the bus driver shortage and other innovative upcoming transportation plans, please watch the following "Let's Talk School's" episode with Vickie Cross, FCS Executive Director of Transportation Services.
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To learn more about the FCS Bridge To Success Program funded by CARES, CRRSA & The American Rescue Plan (ARP), please visit our website at https://www.fultonschools.org/bridgetosuccess. We would also like your opinion on our Bridge to Success Plan. |