Many transportation professionals spend time reviewing procedures after an incident occurs. A seminar scheduled for STN EXPO West next month will focus on what happens before an incident ever reaches that point.

Richard “Dick” Fischer and Pete Baxter are set to lead a July 15 training session examining how transportation departments can spot risks, respond to warning signs, and strengthen decision-making across the organization.

The seminar, titled “The Best of the Dick and Pete Show,” is part of the STN EXPO West conference taking place in Reno, Nevada.

Incidents Continue to Shape Industry Discussions

Several of the cases discussed during the session remain familiar to transportation professionals years after they occurred.

One example is the 2016 flooding incident in England known as the “Titanic tragedy.” During that event, a school bus carrying 26 children became trapped in floodwaters.

Danger Zone incidents will also be reviewed as part of the training.

According to conference organizers, the purpose is not simply to revisit historical events. Instead, attendees will examine the circumstances that existed beforehand and consider how preparation, communication, leadership decisions, and emergency planning can influence outcomes.

Lessons From Careers Spent in Student Transportation

Fischer and Baxter have each spent decades working in student transportation.

Fischer’s career has included roles as a transportation director, trainer, consultant, and safety advocate. His name is closely associated with School Bus Safety Week after he successfully petitioned President Richard Nixon in 1969 to establish the first national observance.

Baxter previously served as Indiana’s state director of student transportation. He later held leadership positions with both the National Association for Pupil Transportation and the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services.

Both men are members of the National Association for Pupil Transportation Hall of Fame and have also served as expert witnesses in school bus crash cases.

Applying The Discussion to Everyday Operations

While past incidents provide the foundation for the seminar, organizers say the discussion is intended to help transportation professionals evaluate their own operations.

Training materials will focus on communication, accountability, organizational learning, and risk awareness.

The session is expected to appeal to transportation directors, supervisors, trainers, and others responsible for developing procedures and supporting school bus drivers.

Reno Event Scheduled for July

STN EXPO West runs from July 9 through July 15 at the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada.

The conference includes educational sessions, hands-on training opportunities, keynote presentations, and networking events for professionals involved in student transportation.

The ProDriverPoint editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content for bus, motorcoach, chauffeur, and passenger transport professionals. Each article is built to reflect real-world experiences, industry updates, and insights that drivers can actually use on the job.

Last updated: June 11, 2026

Source: School Transportation News