Columbia, SC (WLTX) - As the new school year rolls around, Richland deputies are thinking about bus safety. Richland County Sheriff's Department and the Columbia Fire Department teamed up with Richland School District one and two to teach bus drivers what to do in crisis situations.
"Thinking about taking someone's children hostage or hold them for any reason is scary," said Richland County Sheriff's Department Captain Michael Prichett.
Bus drivers from Richland School District One and Two went through simulated hostage training.
"Just putting yourself in that situation like that and them showing us, it was a little scary," said Sandra Hankins, a school bus specialist from Richland School District Two.
Hankins says seeing it first hand was eye opening.
"It could happen to any of us," Hankins said.
Captain Prichett says the bus drivers' role is critical in the children's safety.
"[The] school bus driver's going to be the key person on this," Captain Prichett said, "she's going to have to keep the students calm, keep them in their seats."
This is the first time bus drivers in Richland are getting to see how the scenario would play out.
"We talk about it every year, but we don't give them any practical experience with that," said Wayne Norton, Transportation Supervisor for school district two.
Norton says that based on current events, having practical experience in these crisis situations is crucial.
"I would hate to have to get that phone call that says, 'come to the school because there's been an event,' and you go to the site and your child comes off the bus and they're laying under the sheet," Norton said, "that’s what we don’t want, that’s why we’re doing that."
Captain Prichett says that with this training, he hopes bus drivers will be able to feel a little more secure knowing help is on the way.
"We need to let the school bus drivers know that if something bad happens, we're on our way and we're going to offer every assistance that we can to help them," Captain Prichett said.
"We know already that the kids are scared so we can't show that we're afraid at the same time," Hankins said. "If I'm ever in the situation, I know someone'll be there."
Law enforcement officials say if a hostage situation does occur on a bus, it is important for your children to follow every instruction from the bus driver who is trained to get them through the terrifying situation.