Marshall County school bus drivers receive special training on Monday thanks to the county’s emergency responders. (Photo Provided)

Marshall County school bus drivers received some extra, hands-on training with the county’s law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel and health officials on Monday, said Tom Hart, director of the Marshall County Emergency Management Agency.

Hart said school officials reached out to him about doing the training during their in-service day Monday.

He said bus drivers were trained on how to handle four different scenarios with help from county deputies, EMS and firefighters and county health department.

Four different school buses were used for the scenarios. The first scenario was related to if a fire broke out on a bus. A smoke simulator from the Roberts Ridge VFD was used on the bus to mimic smoke from a fire. Another scenario involved safety security on the bus, while another was medical-related.

“It went well. We believe the drivers got a lot out of it,” he said. “They asked good questions and there were discussions as well.”

“It helps them have a better understanding of what to do and what to expect,” Hart said. “And what to do until law enforcement, EMS or fire arrive on the scene.”

He said it was also a good way for the drivers and departments to get to know one another.

“It was a good interaction with the different departments,” Hart said. “It was a lot of fun. … You get to see their viewpoint. Every morning and evening they’re driving the roads and ridges in the county, and they have a good visual of what’s going on.”

Agencies that participated included Marshall County Schools, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, Marshall County EMS, the Marshall County Health Department, Moundsville City Fire Department and Marshall County EMA and Roberts Ridge VFD with the loan of their smoke machine.

Hart said more than 65 people participated. The event also gave the EMA a chance to do drone training and take photos and videos of the area.