In the first sight, it may seem that bus companies only cater to the happier and festive events of life. But that is not the case. They serve the purpose of being useful in times of disaster and emergency also. The means of bus companies are used for emergency evacuation when disasters and emergencies strike. Emergency evacuation is the immediate and rapid movement of people away from the threat or actual occurrence of a hazard. It includes from small scale evacuation of a building due to a bomb threat or fire to the large scale evacuation of a district because of a flood, bombardment or approaching weather system. Evacuations may be carried out before, during or after natural disasters such as eruptions of volcanoes, cyclones, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, Tsunamis, bushfires etc. Other reasons include military attacks, industrial accidents, chemical spill, nuclear accident, traffic accidents, train accidents, aviation accidents, fire, bombings, terrorist attacks, military battles, structural failure, viral outbreak etc.
Emergency Evacuation
There are emergency evacuation plans developed and put in place beforehand to ensure the safest and most efficient evacuation time of all expected residents of a structure, city or region. A benchmark “evacuation time” for different hazards and conditions is established.
Most of the time, the emergency evacuation is conducted and overseen by statutory authorities. Bus companies are called upon to press their resources to execute the evacuation on time. The services they offer of bus charter, bus rental, coach bus, mini bus rental etc. come to help. They offer their all types of vehicles for the purpose of emergency evacuation. As it is also an urgent and immediate need, it has to be made sure that vehicles are properly maintained. Charter buses which can accommodate larger number of persons are pressed into service, most of the time. Bus companies also employ expert drivers who can handle the challenges of driving through difficult terrain and climate, and speedy evacuation.
It is a matter of pride that bus companies are always well prepared to execute its tasks of social responsibility.