Page 14 - Work_Force_February_2018

Driver’s quick
actions keep
students safe
MAYVILLE — Thanks to
the quick actions of CSEA member and Sherman Central School District bus driver David Tenpas, 12 students are safe after their school
bus experienced mechanical problems.
On Jan. 4, Tenpas, a CSEA member since 2015, was on
his morning bus route with the students on board when the bus began to malfunction.
Tenpas
Tenpas noticed the vehicle’s brakes were experiencing problems and immediately pulled the vehicle over.
According to local media reports, smoke soon appeared in the bus. Tenpas safely removed the students from the bus before it erupted into flames. No one was injured
in the incident.
“My training, experience
and common sense just kicked in,” said Tenpas. “I did what I had to do.”
Sherman Central School
District Superintendent Mike Ginestre credited Tenpas for his quick actions.
First responders look over the damaged school bus after the fire was exctinguished.
Photo by Mike Ginestre.
“[Tenpas] noticed the brakes were running hot,” Ginestre said. “He’s a talented driver and did an excellent job getting the students off and
getting them safely to another bus.”
Ginestre said a second school bus was called to the scene once the mechanical problems arose. He said students were outside for
only three minutes in single-digit temperatures before they were picked up and taken to school.
After the students had left, the bus became engulfed in flames, Ginestre said, in local media reports. Firefighters with a local volunteer fire department that includes in its membership CSEA members extinguished the bus, which is a total loss.
“Ensuring students safety is our No. 1 priority,” said Ginestre. “I just want to commend the bus driver and others for being there and doing the right thing.”
— Ove Overmyer
“My training, experience and common sense just kicked in. I did what I had to do.”
Civil rights movement at heart of inspiring program
The CSEA Metropolitan Region Education Committee hosted a dynamic program to commemorate the life of The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the region office in Manhattan. Attendees heard heartwarming and fascinating
accounts of the civil rights movement from Pastor Cora Taitt, who marched with King. They were also inspired by Tonya Boyd, the first African American woman to rise to the rank of Deputy Fire Chief in the Fire Department of New York.
FDNY Deputy Chief Tonya Boyd, left, tells her inspiring story as Pastor Cora Taitt, right, listens.
14 The Work Force
February 2018