School bus drivers and transportation personnel in the Cajon Valley Union School District participated on Monday, Aug. 11 in a scenario-based training to prepare for active-threat situations while in transit.
The event, hosted by the School Transportation Active-Threat Response Training (S.T.A.R.T.) program, took place at the district’s transportation department on East Main Street in El Cajon. It aimed to equip drivers with skills to recognize, prevent and respond to threats on school buses.
S.T.A.R.T. officials said transportation professionals often serve as the first line of defense in preventing violence and protecting students before law enforcement arrives. The program is led by instructors with backgrounds in law enforcement, SWAT, crisis intervention and school safety.
More than 1 million students in California ride buses daily, underscoring the importance of safety measures beyond the classroom.
