Michael Fogerty, Director of Transportation, would like to honor Cristina Dever, bus driver at the Transportation Department.
On October 18, 2016, Ms. Cristina Dever was transporting students to Rancho Viejo Middle School on her morning route when the engine compartment of her bus caught on fire. Cristina calmly pulled the bus to the side of the road and instructed her students to exit the bus. During this emergency evacuation, Cristina’s training was evident by her counting out loud as each student safely exited the bus, ensuring all students were accounted for. Once the students were safely out of the bus, Cristina directed the students away from the bus to the front ensuring that there were no remaining students on the bus. Once Cristina knew that all students were safe, she went to the back of the bus, outside, to assist with the fire extinguisher and further emergency procedures.
As a bus driver, when you start out with your morning route, you never expect or know what the events of your day will encompass. On this day, it was particularly somber as it was the processional for the fallen police officers in Palm Springs, one of whom was a Hemet native. The city streets were aligned with the first responders for this processional. Ms. Cristina Dever professionally and without hesitation utilized her experience and training skills acquired to execute an emergency evacuation and ensure the safety of all her students. She should be commended for an excellent job done.