Marion County school buses to be on county’s emergency radio system

File photo: School buses are shown lined up to pick up students at West Port High School in Ocala, Fla. on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

School bus drivers for Marion County Public Schools will now be able to contact a 911 dispatcher with the push of a button and have their exact location pinpointed, as the school district will now utilize the county’s emergency radio system.

The move comes as a way to increase security and safety of students, even during transport to and from school. The Marion County Commission and the Marion County School Board came to an interlocal agreement, approved Tuesday, to allow the buses to use the county’s 7/800 MHZ radio communications system, headquartered at the Marion County Public Safety Communications Center.

The school district procured equipment that is compatible with the county’s radio system and that can pinpoint the precise location of a school bus, similar to the equipment that is commonly found on first responder vehicles.

“There’s no worse feeling, honestly, for any of us that are in a vulnerable situation while we’re driving in an isolated area and to feel like you don’t have a way to make contact,” said School Board Chair Nancy Thrower. “It really is a huge enhancement, and we cannot be more grateful.”

The school district will be allowed to connect up to 520 radios to the county’s radio system and operate up to three internal talk channels. Previously, the school district had 62 radios.

“Any issues, any school bus, any time—all they have to do is push a button on the radio and help will be on the way,” said County Administrator Mounir Bouyounes. “It goes directly to public safety communication, and they will discuss the needed help to assist. All of this is to make sure our kids are taken care of.”

The move cost the school board about $131,773 for the 2023-24 school year and will cost about $152,289 for the 2024-25 school year for this radio equipment and system use, in comparison to about $42,381 in the 2022-23 school year.

“It is a very strong frequency, so even though we have buses that are out in Umatilla and the hinterlands out near Palatka, should anything happen, it is one quick deal. Our drivers and aides have been trained on it, and they are incredibly grateful,” Thrower said.

The agreement will be in effect for the next three years, with opportunities for renewal after that time period.

“It definitely will decrease response time so we’re all on the same wavelength,” Thrower said.