Robert Tremblay, Clerk/Director of. Service Delivery Review School Crossing Guard Program

Transcription

1 Date Monday, July 04, 2016 From Subject Report No. SDR-08 Robert Tremblay, Clerk/Director of Legislative and Protective Services Service Delivery Review School Crossing Guard Program Roll No. N/A Recommendation That Committee of the Whole recommend Council of the Municipality of Meaford: 1. Approve Option 3, the continuation of the School Crossing Guard Program with three locations on a pilot basis consistent with recent changes to schools in the urban settlement area of Meaford; 2. Direct staff to undertake a further review prior to the opening of the new JK to Grade 12 school expected in ; 3. Adopt the School Crossing Guard Guide prepared by the Ontario Traffic Conference to evaluate future requests and to guide further reviews involving school crossings; and 4. Direct Transportation Services staff to undertake a fulsome review of school/community safety zones and other traffic related matters in and around school areas prior to the next school year (September 2016). Service Summary Service Department Summary Mandatory School Crossing Guard Program Legislative & Protective Services Three school crossings are currently provided and staffed by part-time and casual personnel. They are stationed at their respective corners for an hour each morning and afternoon during the school year. No. The Highway Traffic Act specifies that crossing guards must be employed by a municipality or by a corporation under contract with a municipality. Legislation Highway Traffic Act, Section 176 Book 6 of the Ontario Traffic Manual (warning Signs) Report SDR-08 Page 1 of 6

2 By-laws Fees/Charges (bus loading zones); (community safety zones); (protocol with police) n/a 2016 Budget Summary 2016 Gross Budget: Salary/wages: $21,600 Payroll expenses: $2,050 Clothing/uniforms: $ Gross Revenues: None. Net Budget $24,050 % of 2016 Corporate Operating Budget assigned to Fire and Emergency Services % of 2016 Fire and Emergency Services Operating Budget assigned to Crossing Guards Corporate Budget $11.89M FES Budget $847K (7.1%) FES Budget $847K Crossing Guard Program $24K (2.8%) Staffing Positions Hours Worked per year Full Time Staffing 1 Manager ~50 hours Part Time/Seasonal/ Student 6 Approximately 1200 hours and 300 hours for supervisor/training Full Time Equivalent 0.85 Contracted Services: none. Report SDR-08 Page 2 of 6

3 Organizational Chart Service Background The Municipality of Meaford has provided three school crossings for a number of years at the following intersections: St. Vincent/McKibbon/Sykes (Highway 26) Collingwood/Sykes Nelson/Cook The Highway Traffic Act defines a school crossing guard to mean a person sixteen years of age or older who is directing the movement of persons across a highway and who is employed by a municipality, or employed by a corporation under contract with a municipality to provide the services of a school crossing guard. The act states that a crossing guard can only direct people on a road with a speed limit not exceeding 60 km/h and shall display a school crossing stop Report SDR-08 Page 3 of 6

4 sign. A driver of a vehicle shall stop when approaching a school crossing guard. A fine of $150 to $500 can be imposed for a contravention. With changes announced for the upcoming school year, staff met with officials from the Bluewater District School Board to understand the impacts from the closure of Meaford Community School. In addition, it is expected that the walking distance for secondary students will be reduced from 3.2km to 1.6km. As a result of these changes, it is expected that two of the three existing crossings will no longer be required (Collingwood/Sykes; Nelson/Cook) due to busing. The School Crossing Guard program has reported to different departments over the years, including Fire & Emergency Services, Transportation Services and the Meaford Police Services Board. A protocol was entered into with the OPP in 2007; however, it was never fully operationalized and ended under a section 5.1 arrangement for policing services. Other municipalities in Grey County provide crossing guards. For instance, Hanover, The Blue Mountains and Southgate each have one crossing location with internal staffing. The City of Owen Sound contracts out the service which includes 19 locations. Analysis Staff reviewed the following options as part of this report: Option 1: Option 2: Option 3: Discontinue the School Crossing Guard Program. Maintain the School Crossing Guard Program with the one remaining intersection at St. Vincent/McKibbon/Sykes. Maintain the School Crossing Guard Program with three intersections (existing at St. Vincent/McKibbon/Sykes) and two to be added in the St. Vincent corridor between Boucher and Aiken. Improving In-House Process and Performance Staff recommend adopting the School Crossing Guard Guide to manage any further reviews and requests. Adjusting Service Levels Based on data provided by the school board, it is confirmed that two of three existing crossings are no longer required. However, given the changes Report SDR-08 Page 4 of 6

5 affecting the remaining schools, two additional crossings are recommended for the St. Vincent corridor between Boucher and Aiken. Staff are undertaking visual inspections of each intersection and traffic data is also being collected. It is expected that more buses will be dropping off at Georgian Bay Community School, which will be accommodating more children. In addition, more parents will be dropping off their children and the corridor is the same for those walkers going to St. Vincent-Euphrasia School. Cost Avoidance: Operating Costs and Capital Investments Coats, safety vests and signs are replaced on an as needed basis in keeping with legislative requirements. Enhancing and Expanding Service Levels With the changes being undertaken by the Bluewater District School Board, enhancing this service was not contemplated by staff; however, two crossings are being added to the St. Vincent corridor, replacing two others that are being discontinued. New Revenues The Municipality of Meaford is solely responsible for this service. School boards do not pay for this service. Other sources of revenue are not possible. Alternative Service Delivery Including Shared Services or Contracting Out The City of Owen Sound contracts out crossing guards to Commissionaires Great Lakes. The City s total budget is $136,000 for 19 crossings. Staff have not explored contracting out in detail. Based on other comparators, significant savings are not anticipated through contracting out or shared services. Service Structure and Staffing Realignment With other changes occurring in the department, the crossing guards will now report to the Manager of Municipal Enforcement, who previously supervised crossing guards with a former employer. No change to the current complement is expected to service the three proposed crossings. Report SDR-08 Page 5 of 6

6 Discontinuing the Service (Where applicable) The discontinuation of the service would result in net savings of $24,050, plus supervisory time. However, staff recommend continuing the service as a pilot project ahead of the construction of a new JK to Grade 12 School. Financial Impact Elimination of the service would result in savings totaling $24,050, plus supervisory time which would be reallocated. Implications Schools are important institutions for a community. The Municipality of Meaford has contributed to the safety of young walkers through the School Crossing Guard program. Keeping three crossings as a pilot project supports efforts for a safe community that is welcoming and supporting of families. Supporting Documentation Appendix 1 Walking Maps Appendix 2 School Crossing Guard Guide Appendix 3 Existing By-laws Respectfully Submitted: Prepared by: Robert Tremblay, Clerk/Director of Legislative & Protective Services Reviewed by: Denyse Morrissey, CAO Report SDR-08 Page 6 of 6

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9 SDR-08 Appendix 2

10 D i s c l a i m e r P l e a s e b e a d v is e d t h at t h is d o c um e nt is f o r in f o r m at io n o n l y a n d s h o u l d n o t b e r e ga r d e d a s l e g a l a d v ic e w h a t s o e v er. I t is r ec o m m e nd e d t h a t s h o u l d a ny o n e u s in g t h is d o c um e nt no t u nd e r st a n d o r r e q u i r e f u r t h e r c l a r i f i c a t i o n o f i t s c o nt e nt s, t h a t s u ch c l ar if ic a t io n a n d a d v ic e b e so u g h t in d e p e n d e n t l y a n d in s o m e c a s es, in d e p e n d e n t l e g a l a d v ic e s h o u l d b e s o u g ht. T h e r ea d e r s h o u l d b e a w a r e t ha t t h e C it y o f B ur l in g t o n, C it y of M is s is s a u g a, C it y of S t. C at h a r in e s a n d t h e M i n i s t r y o f T r a n s p o r t at io n s h a l l no t b e l ia b l e f o r a n y l o s s e s o r a n y d am a g es o r f o r a n y l o s s o f r e v e n u e s uf f er e d b y t h e r e a d e r or a n y ot h e r p er s o n a r is in g f r om t h e u s e o f o r r e f er e n ce t o t h is d o c u m e n t. T h e r ea d e r f u r t h e r is p u t o n n o t ic e t ha t t he C it y o f B u r l in g t o n, C it y o f M is s is s a u g a, C it y o f St. C a t h a r in e s a n d t h e M in is t r y o f T r a ns p o r t at io n w i l l b e h e l d h a r m l e s s a g a in s t a l l c l a i m s, a ct io n s, l o s s e s, e xp e n s e s, c os t s or d am a g es of ev e r y n a t u r e a n d k in d w h a t s o ev e r w h ic h t he r e a de r, h is o r h e r o f f i c e r s o r a g e n t s m a y s u f f e r a s a r e su l t of t h e r e a d er u t il i zi n g in a n y m a n n er wh a t s o e ve r, t h e c o n t e nt s o f t h e su b j e c t d o c um e nt.

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12 EXECUTIVE S U M M A R Y O v e r t h e y e a r s, d i f f e r e n t p r o g r am s h a v e b e e n d e v e l o p e d a c r o s s t h e P r o v i n c e of O n t a r i o wi t h r e s p ec t t o t h e i m p l em e n t a t i o n a n d u n i f o rm i t y of s c h o o l c r o s s i n gs. A s a r es u l t, a c om m i t t e e wa s e s t a b l i s h e d i n c o n s i s t i n g of r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s f r om b ot h t h e O n t a r i o T r a f f i c C o n f e r e n c e ( O T C ) a n d t h e M i n i s t r y o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n O n t a r i o ( M T O ) wh i c h r e s ul t e d i n a d oc um e nt t i t l e d S c h o o l C r o s s i n g R e v i e w b e i n g p r o d u c e d. W h i l e t h i s d oc um e nt d i d n o t r e c e i v e f o rm a l a p p r o v a l f r om e i t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n, i t h as s e r v e d a s a n e xc e l l en t r e s o u rc e f o r m u n i c i p a l i t i es a n d t o wn s h i p s t hr o u g h o u t O n t a r i o o v e r t h e l as t 1 4 y e a r s. S i n c e t h at t i m e, n e w t e c h n o l o g y ha s e v o l v e d a n d h as b ec om e p a rt of t h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d e n v i r o nm e n t. T h e s e t e c h n o l o gi c a l a d v a n c em e nt s h a v e r e s u l t e d i n d e v i c e s s uc h as I n t e rs e c t i o n P e d e s t r i a n S i g n a l s (I P S ), s t o p s i g n p a dd l e s wi t h f l a s h i n g L E D l i g h t s a n d f l u o r es c e nt y e l l o w g r e e n ( F Y G ) s i g n s h e e t i n g, t h e l a t t e r o f wh i c h h a d n ot r e c ei v e d M T O a pp r o v a l f o r u s e a t s c h o o l c r o s s i n g l o c a t i o ns at th e t i m e t h i s d oc um e n t wa s p u b l i s h e d ( J a n u a r y ). A t t h e OT C S c h o o l C r o s s i n g G u a rd W o rk s h o p h o s t e d b y t h e C i t y o f B u r l i n g t o n i n , i t wa s d e t e rm i n e d t h e r e wa s a n e e d t o r e v i e w t h e d o c um e n t wi t h t h e g o a l o f p r o d u c i n g a n u p d a t e d g u i d e f o r u s e b y O n t a r i o m u ni c i p al i t i es a n d t o wn s h i p s t h a t p r o v i d e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d p r o g r am s, t o p r o v i d e a s s i s t a n c e a n d g u i d a n c e i n t h e i r d a i l y o p e r a t i o n s a n d p l a n n i n g. I t wa s a l s o i d e n t i f i e d t h a t c h a n g e s w e r e r e q u i r e d t o c u r r e n t l e g i s l a t i o n t o a d d r e s s o p e r a t i o n a l i s s u e s r e g a r d i n g s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d o p e r a t i o n s. A wo r k i n g g r o u p c o ns i s t i n g o f m u ni c i p a l a n d p r o v i n c i a l em p l o y e e s wa s f o rm e d i n a n d h a s wo r k e d s i nc e t h at t i m e t o c om p l e t e t h i s r e v i e w a n d t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f a n e w d o c um e nt e nt i t l e d S c h oo l C r o s s i n g G u a r d G ui d e. A l t h o ug h e v e r y e f f o r t h a s b e e n m a d e t o p r o d uc e a d o c um e nt t h a t a d d r e s s es t h e wa n t s a n d n e e d s o f t h e O T C m em b e rs h i p as we l l a s t h e v a r i o u s m u n i c i p a l i t i es a n d t o wn s h i p s t h a t m a y us e t hi s g u i d e i n t h e f u t u r e, t h e wo r k i n g g r o u p r e c o g n i z e d t h a t t h e d o c um e n t m us t b e f l e xi b l e t o a l l o w r o a d a u t h o r i t i e s a n d p r ac t i t i o n e r s t o i n c o r p o r a t e t h ei r o wn p o l i c i es a n d o p e r a t i n g p r a c t i c es. A s a r es u l t, t h e d o c um e nt i

13 f o c us e s o n r e l a y i n g i nf o rm a t i o n r e l a t e d t o c om m o n a n d b e s t p r ac t i c es r a t h e r t h a n prescribing rigid poli c i es o r d oc t r i ne s. F o l l o wi n g t h e b a s i c s t r u c t u r e o f t he R e v i e w, t h e S c h o o l C r os s i n g G u a r d G u i d e h a s b e e n o r g a n i z e d i n t o t he f o l l o w s ec t i o ns : L e g i s l a t i v e A u t h o r i t y : T h i s s e c t i o n p r o v i d e s i n f o rm a t i o n r e l a t e d t o t h e l e g a l r e q u i r e m e n t s o f s c h o o l c r o s s i n gs a s p r e s c r i b e d i n t h e H i g hw a y T r a f f i c A c t ( H T A ). S p ec i f i c s ec t i o n s o f t h e H TA r e l e va n t t o s c h o o l c r os s i n gs a n d s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d s h a v e b e e n t r a ns c r i b e d i n t h e i r e n t i r e t y. R o l e s a n d D e f i n i t i o n s : T h i s s e c t i o n p r o v i d e s u p d a t e d r o l es a n d d e f i n i t i o n s f o r s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d s a n d s c h o o l c r os s i n gs. S t a n d a r d E q u i p m e n t : A s o u t l i n ed i n t h e H TA, al l s c h o o l c r o s s i n g gu a r d s m us t h a v e a s t o p p a d d l e t h a t m e e t s t h e m i n i m um s i z e, r e f l ec t i v i t y a n d m es s a g i n g r e q u i r e m e n t s p r es c r i b e d i n t h e A c t. Unfortunately, t hi s i s t h e o n l y p i ec e o f e q u i p m e nt t h a t i s m a n d at o r y f o r s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d s. T h i s s ec t i on p r o v i d e s r e c om m e n d a t i o n s r e l a t e d t o s u p p l e m e nt a l e q u i pm e n t t h a t s h o u l d b e u s e d b y a l l s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d s i n o r d e r t o e n s u r e c o ns i s t e nc y a n d c o n s p i c u i t y. G u i d a n c e wi t h r e s p ec t t o m a n d at o r y, r e c om m e n d e d a n d o p t i o n a l e qu i pm e n t h as b e e n p r o v i d e d. H u m a n R e s o u r c e s : T h e b as i c e l e m e nt s o f d e v e l o p i n g a n d o p e r a t i ng a s c h o o l c r o s s i n g p r o g r am a r e o u t l i n e d i n t h i s s ec t i o n. I n f o rm a t i o n a n d g u i d an c e r e l a t e d t o h i r i n g p r ac t i c es, p e r s o n n e l q u a l i f i c at i o n s, o r g a n i z a t i o n a l h i e r a r c h y, r e c r u i t m e n t, i n t e r v i e wi n g a n d t r a i n i n g i s p r o v i d e d. I n a d d i t i o n, a g e n e r i c t r a i ni n g m a n u a l h a s b e e n d e v e l o p e d a n d i s i n c l u d e d as a n a p p e n d i x t o t h i s d oc um e n t. S c h o o l C r o s s i n g W a r r a n t s : This s ec t i o n o u t l i n es a r e c om m e n d e d p r o c e s s t h a t m a y b e f o l l o we d b y r o a d a u t h o r i t i es a n d p r ac t i t i o n e r s c o n s i d e r i n g a s c h o o l c r o s s i n g l oc a t i o n. T h e p r o c es s r e c om m e n ds a p p o i nt i n g a S i t e I n s p ec t i o n A u t h o r i t y (s i n g l e p e r s o n o r g r o u p ) wh o wi l l b e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r r e v i e wi n g a l l s c h o o l c r o s s i n g r e q u e s t s as we l l a s c o n d u c t i n g t h e n ec es s a r y t e c h n i c a l s t ud i e s t o d e t e rm i n e i f a s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u ar d i s wa r r a n t e d a t a l oc a t i o n. I t a l s o r e c om m e n ds d ef i n i n g b as i c m i n i m u m wa r r a n t i n g c r i t e r i a, es t a b l i s h i ng a c om m o n i i

14 r e p o r t i n g a n d a p p r o v a l p r o c e s s, an d i m p l em e nt i n g a n i ns p e c t i o n r o ut i n e f o r e xi s t i n g s c h o o l c r o s s i n gs. I n f o rm at i o n o n h o w t o p e rf o rm s i t e i ns p e c t i o n s a n d g a p s t u d i es i s a l s o p r o v i d e d a l o n g wi t h r e c om m e n d e d j u s t i f i c at i o n c r i t e r i a f o r t r a d i t i o n a l s c h o o l c r o s s i n g s a n d s c h o o l c r os s i n gs at s i g n a l i z e d i n t e r s e c t i o ns. S t a n d a r d s i t e i n s p ec t i o n f o rm s a nd g a p s t u d y f o rm s a r e p r o v i d e d i n t h e a p p e n d i c e s. T r a f f i c C o n t r o l D e v i c e s : T h e u n i f o rm a n d c o ns i s t e n t a p p l i c a t i o n o f t r a f f i c c o n t r o l d e v i c e s ( s i g n s, s i g n a l s a n d m a r k i n g s ) t o g u i d e, wa r n a n d r e g u l a t e d r i v e r s i s t h e c o r n e r s t o n e o f p r om o t i n g a s a f e a n d p r e d i c t a b l e t r a n s p o r t at i on s y s t em. T h e a p p l i c at i o n of t h e s e d e v i c es t o d e f i n e s c h o o l c r o s s i n gs i s n o d i f f e r e n t a n d, i n s o m e w a y s, i s m o r e c r i t i c a l a s t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r s e r i o u s i n j u r y i nc r e a s e s a n d t h e u s e r i s m o r e v u l n e r a b l e. T h e r e a re f e w u s e r s t h a t a r e m o r e v u l n e r a b l e t h a n a s c h o o l a g e d c h i l d. I n o r d e r t o p r om ot e t h e u n i f o rm a n d c o ns i s t e n t ap p l i c a t i o n o f t r a f f i c c o n t r o l d e v i c e s a t s c h o o l c r o s s i n g l o c a t i o n s, t h i s s e c t i o n o u t l i n e s a n d i l l u s t r a t e s h o w t y p i c a l s c h o o l c r os s i n g s s h o u l d b e s i g n e d a n d m a rk e d. R e c om m e n d at i o n s wi t h r e s p ec t t o s i g n p l ac em e nt, c r os s wa l k d i m e ns i o n s, p a r k i n g a n d s t o p p i n g c o nt r o l s a s we l l a s p a s s i n g a n d l a n e c h a n g e r e s t r i c t i o n s a r e p r o v i d e d. I n s um m a r y, t h e S c h o o l C r o s s i n g G u i d e wa s d e v e l o p e d t o a d d r e s s t h e wa n t s a n d n e e d s of t h e v a r i o u s m u n i c i p al i t i es a n d t o wn s h i p s t h r o u g h o u t O nt a r i o. I t a t t em pt s t o e s t a b l i s h a l o g i c al p r o c e s s f o r t h e i d e nt i f i c at i o n, j u s t i f i c at i o n, i n s t a l l a t i o n a n d o p e r a t i o n of s c h o o l c r os s i n g s a n d s c h o o l c r os s i n g g ua r d p r o g r a m s. T h e g u i d e r e f l ec t s t h e s e n t i m e n t s of t h e wo r k i n g g r o u p as we l l a s t h e O T C m em b e r s h i p a n d t h e m a n y ot h e r g o v e r n m e n t o r g a n i z a t i o n s t h a t p a r t i c i p a t e d i n i t s d e v e l o p m e n t. I t i s b e l i e v e d t h a t t h i s d o c u m e n t w i l l s e r v e i t s a u d i e n c e we l l f o r m a n y y e a r s t o c om e. i i i

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16 T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S F o r e w o r d 3 P a g e Introduction 4 Legislative Authority 5 Role of the School Crossing Guard 6 Definition of a School Crossing 6 School Crossing Guard Standard Equipment 7 Stop Sign 7 V e s t 8 A r m b a n d s / G l o v e s / M i t t s 8 R a i n coat 8 Optional Equipment 9 Human Resources 10 Appointing a School Crossing Guard Supervisor 12 Duties of a School Crossing Guard Supervisor 12 Recruitment 12 Interview 13 O n S i t e T r a i n i n g 13 Additional Considerations 15 School Crossing Warrants 16 Appointing an Authority to Conduct Site Inspections 17 Responsibilities of the Site Inspection Authority 17 The Site Inspection Report 19 The Gap Study Report 20 Scheduling a Site Inspection and Gap Study 21 1

17 Potential Site Inspection and Gap Study Locations 22 The Site Inspection 22 The Gap Study 23 Meeting the Warrant for a School Crossing 24 Warrants at Signalized Intersections 25 Gap Studies at Signalized Intersections 26 Satisfying a Warrant at a Signalized Intersection 27 Implementing Two or More S c h o o l C r o s s i n g Guards 28 Removal of a School Crossing 29 T r a f f i c C o n t r o l D e v i c e s A p p l i c a t i o n G u i d e l i n e s 30 Application Guidelines 31 School Crossing Scenarios 32 P u b l i c E d u c a t i o n 53 Appendix A 54 Determination of acceptable gap time explanation of formula, application, and terminology Appendix B 59 Site Inspection Report Appendix C 60 Crossing Guard Warrant Survey Appendix D 62 School Crossing Guard Questionnaire Summary Results Appendix E 66 F o l l o w u p S u r v e y R e s u l t s Appendix F 69 Training Manual 2

18 F O R E W O R D D u r i n g t h e O n t a r i o T r a f f i c C o n f e r en c e S c h o o l C r o s s i n g G u a r d W o rk s h o p h o s t e d b y t h e C i t y o f B u r l i n g t o n i n , i t wa s r e c o g n i z e d b y t h e p a r t i c i p a nt s t h a t t h e r e w a s a n e e d t o r e v i s i t t h e O T C / MT O S c h o o l C r o s s i n g R e v i e w d o c um e n t t o a d d r e s s v a r i o u s o p e r a t i o n a l i s s u e s r es u l t i n g f r om n e w t ra f f i c c o n t r o l t e c h n o l o g y s uc h a s I n t e rs e c t i o n P e d e s t r i a n S i g n a l s a n d F l u o r e s c e nt Y e l l o w G r e e n s c h o o l z o n e s i g n a g e. A s a r e s u l t, a w o r k i n g g r o u p wa s es t a b l i s h e d i n c om p r i s e d of t h e f ol l o wi n g m e m b e rs : C h a i r : J o h n C r a s s C i t y o f B u r l i n g t o n R e c o r d i n g S e c r e t a r y : J i l l S c h i r m e r C i t y o f B u r l i n g t o n M e m b e r s : J e n n y S t o k e s C i t y o f B u r l i n g t o n T e r r y S h o r t M i n i s t r y o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n S h e e l a g h D u f f i n C i t y o f M i s s i s s a u g a K r i s J a c o b s o n C i t y o f S t. C a t h a r i n e s T h e O n t a r i o T r af f i c C o n f e r e nc e wo u l d l i k e t o t h a n k t h e m em b e r s o f t h e S C G R e v i e w G r o u p f o r t h e i r e f f o r t s an d d e d i c a t i o n i n c om p l et i n g t h e r e v i e w o f t h e d o c um e n t a n d i n p r e p a r i n g t h i s d o c u m e n t e n t i t l e d S c h o o l C r o s s i n g G u a r d G u i d e. T h e S C G R e v i e w G r o u p wo u l d a l s o l i k e t o t h a n k D e n n i s V a n A m e r o n g e n wh o wa s a n o r i g i n a l m em b e r o f t h e wo r k i n g g r o u p, S e r g e a n t K e n S l um an o f t h e P e e l Regional Poli c e f o r h i s c o nt r i b u t i on t o t h e l e g i s l a t i o n c h a p t e r a n d f or s h a r i n g h i s p r e v i o u s wo r k r e g a r d i n g t h e H i g h wa y T r a f f i c A c t, a n d P at r i c k B e r r y o f t h e C i t y o f B u r l i n g t o n f o r t h e t i t l e p a g e d e s i g n wo r k. M T O w a s o n e o f t h e s t a k e h o l d e r s t h a t p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e d evelopment of the School C r o s s i n g G u a r d G u i d e. W h i l e MT O d o e s n o t a d mi n i s t e r s c h o ol c ro s s i n g g u a r d p r o g r a ms o n p r o v i n c i a l h i g h w ay s t h ei r T r a f f i c O f f i c e h a s r e v i e w e d t h e Guide a n d s e e s i t a s a v a l u a b l e d o c u m e n t t o p r o m o t e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g s a f e t y a n d u n i f o r m i t y i n t h e province. 3

19 I N T R O D U C T I O N O v e r t h e y e a r s, d i f f e r e n t p r o g r am s h a v e b e e n d e v e l o p e d a c r o s s t he P r o v i n c e o f O n t a r i o wi t h r e s p ec t t o t h e i m p l em e nt a t i o n a n d u n i f o rm i t y o f s c h oo l c r os s i n g s. A s a r e s u l t, a c o m m i t t e e w a s e s t a b l i s h e d i n c o n s i s t i n g o f r ep r e s e n t a t i v es f r om b o t h t h e O n t a r i o T r af f i c C o n f e r e n c e ( O T C ) a n d t h e M i n i s t r y o f T r a n s p o r t a t i o n O n t a r i o ( M T O ) wh i c h r e s u l t e d i n a d o c um e n t t i t l e d S c h o o l C r o s s i n g R e v i e w b e i n g p r o d u c e d. W hi l e t h i s d o c um e n t di d n o t r ec e i v e f o r m al a p p r o v a l f r om e i t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n, i t h a s s e r v e d a s a n e xc e l l e n t r e s o u r c e f o r m u n i c i p a l i t i es a n d t o wn s h i p s t h r o u g h o u t O n t a r i o o v e r t h e l a s t 1 4 y e a r s. S i n c e t h a t t i m e, n e w t e c h n o l o g y ha s e v o l v e d a n d h a s b e c om e p a r t o f t h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d e n v i r o n m e n t. T h es e t e c h n o l o g i c al a d v a n c em e n t s h a v e r e s u l t e d i n d e v i c e s s u c h as I nt e r s ec t i o n P ed e s t r i a n S i g n a l s (I P S ), s t o p s i g n p a d d l e s wi t h f l a s h i n g LE D l i g h t s a n d f l u o r e s c en t y e l l o w g r e e n ( F Y G ) s i g n s h e e t i n g, t h e l a t t e r o f w h i c h h a d n o t r e c e i v e d M T O a p p r o v a l f o r u s e a t s c h o o l c r o s s i n g l o c a t i o ns a t t h e t i m e t h i s d oc um e n t wa s p u b l i s h e d (J a n u a r y ). A t t h e O T C S c h o o l C r o s s i n g G u a rd W o r k s h o p h o s t e d b y t h e C i t y o f B u r l i n g t o n i n , i t wa s d e t e r m i n e d t h e r e wa s a n e e d t o r e v i e w t h e d o c u m e nt wi t h t h e g o a l o f p r o d u c i n g a n u p d a t e d g u i d e f o r u s e b y O n t a r i o m u n i c i p a l i t i e s a n d t o wn s h i p s t h a t p r o v i d e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d p r o g r a m s, t o p r o v i d e a s s i s t a nc e a n d g u i d a n c e i n t h e i r d a i l y o p e r a t i o n s a n d p l a n n i n g. I t w a s a l s o i d e n t i f i e d t h at c h a n g e s we r e r e q u i r e d t o c u r r e n t l e g i s l at i o n t o a d d r e s s o p e r a t i o n a l i s s u es r e g a r d i n g s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d op e r a t i o n s. A wo r k i n g g r o u p c o n s i s t i n g o f m un i c i p a l a n d p r o v i n c i a l em p l o y e es wa s f o r m e d i n a n d h a s w o r k e d s i n c e t h at t i m e t o c om p l e t e t hi s r e v i e w a n d t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f a n e w d o c u m e n t e n t i t l e d S c ho o l C r o s s i n g G u a r d G u i d e. T h i s g u i d e a l s o i n c l u d e s a g e n e r i c s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d t r a i n i n g m a n u a l. T h e S C G r e v i e w g r o u p a l s o d r a f t e d f o rm a l i z e d re c om m e n d e d am e n dm e n t s t o t h e H T A f o r c o n s i d e r a t i o n b y t h e O T C a n d M TO. 4

20 L E G I S L A T I V E A U T H O R I T Y I n O n t a r i o, t h e H i g h w ay T r a f f i c A c t s et s o u t t h e r u l e s o f t h e r o a d i n c l u d i n g t h e o p e r a t i o n o f s c h o o l c r o s s i n g s a n d s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s. T h e s p e c i f i c l e g i s l at i o n r e l a t e d t o s c h o o l c r o s s i n g s a n d t h e o p e r a t i o n o f s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s i s f o u n d i n s e c t i o n T h e r e f e r e n c e s i n t h i s g u i d e t o S e c t i o n we r e c u r r e n t a t J a n u a r y 1 st U s e r s o f t h i s g u i d e s h o u l d r e f e r t o t h e o r i g i n a l s t a t u e s f o r u p d a t es (1 ) I n t hi s sect i on, S c h o o l c r o s s i n g s "sch o o l cros si ng guard" means a person si xt een ye ars of age or ol der who i s di rect i ng t he movement of persons acro ss a highway and who i s, ( a ) e m p l o y e d b y a m u n i c i p a l i t y, o r (b ) emp l oyed by a corporat i on under cont ract wi t h a muni ci pal i t y t o provi de t he servi ces of a school cros si ng guard. R. S. O. 1990, c. H. 8, s. 176 (1). S c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s h a l l d i s p l a y s i g n ( 2 ) A s c h o o l c r o s s i ng guard about t o di rect persons across a hi gh way wi t h a speed l i mi t not i n excess of 60 k i l o m e t r e s per h o u r shal l, pri or t o ent eri ng t he roadwa y, di spl ay a school crossi ng st op si gn i n an upri ght posi t ion so t hat it i s v i s i b l e t o v e h i c u l ar t raf f i c approachi ng f rom each di rect i on. R. S. O. 1990, c. H. 8, s. 176 (2). V e h i c l e s a p p r o a c h i n g s i g n (3 ) Wh ere a school crossi ng st op si gn i s di spl ayed as provi ded i n subsect i on (2), t he dri ver of any vehi cl e or st reet car a p p r o a c h i n g t h e s t o p s i g n s h al l st op bef ore reachi ng t he crossi ng. R. S. O. 1990, c. H. 8, s. 176 (3). D i s p l a y o f s c h o o l c r o s s i n g s t o p s i g n (4 ) A school cro ssi ng gua rd shal l not di spl ay on a hi gh wa y a s chool cro ssi ng st op si gn und er any c i rcumst ance s ot he r t h a n t h o s e s e t o u t i n s u b s e c t i on (2). R. S. O. 1990, c. H. 8, s. 176 (4). I d e m (5 ) No person ot her t han a school crossi ng guard shal l di spl ay on a high way a school cros si ng st op si gn. R. S. O. 1990, c. H. 8, s. 176 (5). R e g u l a t i o n s ( 6 ) T h e L i e u t e n a n t G o v e r n o r i n C o u n c i l m a y m a k e r e g u l a t i ons presc ri bi ng t he t ype, desi gn and speci f i cat i ons of sch o o l cros si ng st op si gn. 5

21 D u e t o t h e f a c t t h a t t h e H TA d o e s n o t d e f i n e t h e r o l e o f a s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d o r a s c h o o l c r os s i n g t h e f o l l o wi n g h a s b e e n d e v e l o p e d f o r t h i s g u i d e. R O L E O F T H E S C H O O L C RO S S I NG G U A R D T h e r o l e o f t h e a d u l t s c h o o l c ro s s i n g gu a r d i s t o d i r ec t a n d s u p e r v i s e t h e m o v em e nt o f p e r s o n s ( a s d e f i n ed i n t h e H T A ) a c r o s s a h i g h wa y b y c r e a t i n g n e c e s s a r y g a p s i n v e h i c u l a r t r a f f i c t o p r o v i d e s a f e p a s s a g e a t a d e s i g n a t e d s c h o o l c r os s i n g l oc a t i o n. D E F I N I T I O N O F A S C H O O L C R O S S I N G A s c h o o l c r os s i n g i s a p o i n t o n a h i g h w a y s u p e r v i s e d b y a s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d, e i t h e r a t a n i nt e r s ec t i o n o r m i d b l oc k l oc a t i o n t h a t h a s b e e n d e s i g n a t e d t h r o u g h a wa r r a n t p r o c e s s. T h e s e d es i g na t e d s c h o o l c r o s s i n gs s h a l l b e i d e n t i f i e d b y p a v e m e n t s m a r k i n g s a n d s i g n a g e, a s s e t o u t u n d e r t h e p r o v i s i o n s o f t h e Ontario T r a f f i c M a n u a l, B o o k 6 & B o o k

22 S C H O O L C R O S S I N G G U A R D S T A N D A R D EQUIPMENT I t i s e s s e n t i al t h a t t h e a u t h o r i t y r e s p o n s i b l e f o r d i r ec t i n g a n d s u p e r v i s i n g t h e m o v em e nt o f p e r s o n s at a s c h oo l c r o s s i n g b e r e a d i l y i d e n t i f i a b l e. W h i l e t h e p r o v i s i o n o f c l o t h i n g s h a l l b e l e f t wi t h t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n r e s p o n s i b l e f o r em p l o y i n g t h e s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d s, i t i s es s e nt i a l t h a t s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s b e h i g h l y visib l e t o e ns u r e t h e i r s a f e t y a n d t h e s a f e t y of t h e p e r s o n s t h e y a r e c r o s s i n g, as we l l a s b e i n g r e c o g n i z e d a s a p e r s o n wi t h a u t h o r i t y. T h e l i s t t h a t f o l l o ws i d e n t i f i es t h e l e g i s l at e d, r ec om m e n d e d, a n d o pt i o n a l e q u i pm en t f o r s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s. LE G I S L A T E D E Q U I P M E N T S TO P S I G N A s s et o u t i n t h e H i g h w ay T r a f f i c A c t R. R. O R e g ( p a d d l e ) Se c t i o n 1 1, a s a m e n d e d b y O. R e g / 0 2 ( 1 ) A s c h o o l c r o s s i n g s t o p s i g n s h a l l b e o c t a g o n a l i n s h a p e, n o t l e s s t h a n 3 0 c e n t i m e t r e s i n h e i g h t a n d n o t l e s s t h a n 3 0 c e n t i m e t r es i n wi d t h. ( 2 ) E a c h f a c e o f a s c h o o l c r o s s i ng s t o p s i g n s h a l l b e a r t h e w o r d " S T O P " i n w h i t e r e t r o -r e f l e c t i v e l e t t e r s n o t l e s s t h a n centimetres in height on a background of red retro - r e f l e c t i v e m at e r i a l. ( 3 ) E a c h f a c e o f a s c h o o l c r o s s i n g s t o p s i g n m a y b e a r a s i n g l e f l a s h i n g r e d l i g h t c e n t r e d a b o v e t h e w o r d " S T O P " t h a t i s v i s i b l e t o t h e t r a f f i c a p p r o a c h i n g t h e s i g n. 7

23 R E C O M M E N D E D E Q U I P M E N T S A F E T Y V E S T T h e v e s t s h a l l b e f l u o r e s c e nt b l a z e o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r a n g e i n c o l o u r. S a f et y v e s t s s h o u l d m e et o r e xc e e d m i n i m um s p e c i f i c a t i o n s o f t h e O n t a r i o Oc c up a t i o n a l H e a l t h a n d S a f e t y A c t. T e a r -a w a y v e s t s a r e a v a i l a b l e a n d m u n i c i p a l i t i es m a y c h o o s e t o u s e t h e m. A s a n o p t i o n, t h e w o r d G U A R D i n c m X 3 3 c m l et t e rs m a y b e d i s p l a y e d o n r e f l e c t i v e m at e r i a l o n t h e b a c k of t h e v e s t. AR M B AN D S / G L O V E S / M I T T S E a c h sc h o o l cr o s s i n g gu a r d s h o u l d b e p r o v i d e d wi t h e i t h e r A r m b a n d s o r G l o v e s / M i t t s. A r m b a n d s s h o u l d m e e t o r e x c e e d m i n i m u m s p e c i f i c a t i o n s o f t h e O n t a r i o O c c u p a t i o n a l H e a l t h a n d S af e t y A c t, s u c h a s m a d e w i t h r e t r o -r e f l e c t i v e m at e r i a l e nc i r c l i n g e a c h a rm, wi t h a m i n i m um a r e a o f 5 0 s q u a r e c e n t i m e t r e s p e r s i d e. G l o v e s / M i t t s s h o u l d b e i nt e r n a t i on a l o r a n g e a n d o v e r s i z e d a n d a r e t o b e w o r n o v e r r e g u l a r wi n t e r c l ot h i n g. R AI N C O AT A f l u o r es c e nt c ol o u r e d r a i n c o a t a nd h o o d s h o u l d b e p r o v i d e d a n d wo r n b y t h e sch o o l cr o s s i ng gu a r d d u r i n g i n c l e m e nt we a t h e r. T h e r e c o m m e n d e d c o l o u r s a r e f l u o r e s c e nt i n t e r n a t i o n a l o r a n g e o r y e l l o w. ( T h e S A F E T Y V E S T as d e t a i l e d a b o v e m us t b e wo r n o v e r t h e r a i n c o a t. ) 8

24 O P T I O N A L E Q U I P M E N T To f u r t h e r e n h a n c e v i s i b i l i t y, i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a n d p r o t e c t i o n, t h e a u t h o r i t y r e s p o n s i b l e f o r em p l o y i n g sc h oo l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s m a y p r o v i d e a d d i t i o n a l e q u i p m e n t s u c h a s : W i n t e r h a t s S u m m e r h a t s U n i f o r m s W h i s t l e s ( S e e A P P E N DI X F, S c h oo l C r o s s i n g G u a r d G e n e r i c T r a i n i ng M a n u a l, P a g e 8 0, f o r i n f o rm at i o n on t h e v a r i o u s m et h o d s f o r t h e us e o f w h i s t l e s i n m u n i c i p a l i t i e s w h e r e w h i s t l e s a r e m a n d a t o r y e q u i pm e n t ). Pad and Pencil S u n s c r e e n B u g R e p e l l e n t E m p l o y m e n t I d e n t i f i c a t i o n B a d g e o r C a r d S u b s t i t u t e o r a d d i t i o n a l c l ot h i n g m u s t not c o v e r o r d e t r ac t f r om l e g i s l a t e d a n d r e c om m e n d e q u i pm e n t i n a n y wa y. 9

25 H U M A N R E S O U R C E S N o t w i t h s t a n d i n g e a c h m u n i c i p a l i t y s h u m a n r e s o u r c e s p o l i c y i t i s i m p e r a t i v e t h a t t h e a u t h o r i t y e n s u r e t h a t n e w s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s m e e t c e r t a i n m i n i m um s t a n d a r d s b e f o r e b e i n g h i r e d. T h e s e i n d i v i d u a l s s h o u l d b e a b l e t o d e m o ns t r at e p h y s i c a l a n d m e n t a l c a p ac i t y t o h an d l e t h e i r a s s i g n e d d ut i e s a s a s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d. W he n es t a b l i s h i n g s t a n d a r d s f o r n e w s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s a M u n i c i p a l i t y s h o u l d i nc l u d e t h e f o l l o wi n g : 1. A b a s i c k n o w l e d g e o f t h e E n g l i s h l a n g u a g e I t i s i m p e r at i v e t h at s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s h a v e s u f f i c i e n t c om m an d o f t h e E n g l i s h l a n g u a g e t o b e a b l e t o: E xp l a i n t h e r u l e s o f s af e c r o s s i n g t o t h e s t u d e n t s, C o m m u n i c at e t o s c h o o l a dm i n i s t r a t i o n s t a f f r e g a r d i n g i s s u e s wi t h s t u d e n t s a t t h e i r s c h o o l c r o s s i n g, a n d F a c i l i t a t e t w o -wa y c o m m u ni c at i on i n p e r s o n o r b y t e l e p h o n e w i t h s u p e r v i s o r y p e r s o n n e l. I n s om e j u r i s d i c t i o ns t h e p r e d o m i n a n t l a n g u a g e m a y n o t b e E n g l i s h a n d t h e r e f o r e t h e a b i l i t y t o s p e ak a n o t he r l a n g u a g e m a y b e b e n e f i c i a l. 2. A d e q u a t e l e v e l s o f h e a r i n g, v i s i o n, a n d p h y s i c a l f i t n e s s A c a n d i d a t e s h o u l d d em o ns t r at e a d e q u a t e l e v e l s o f h e a r i n g, v i s i o n, a n d p h y s i c a l f i t n e s s d u r i n g t h e i n t e r v i ew a n d t r a i n i n g p r o c e s s. T h e c a n d i d a t es s h o u l d b e p h y s i c a l l y c a p a b l e o f s t a n d i n g a n d w a l k i n g f o r e x t e n d e d p e r i o d s o f t i m e, a n d h a ve t h e a g i l i t y t o r e a c t t o p ot e n t i a l ha z a r d s o r u n f o r e s e e n c i rc um s t a nc e s. T he y s h o u l d h a v e g o o d v i s i o n, i n c l u d i n g p e r i p h e r a l, i n o r d e r t o o bs e r v e p r e v a i l i n g c o n d i t i o n s a n d as s e s s a pp r o a c h i n g 1 0

26 t r a f f i c t o d e t e r m i n e c r o s s i n g s a f e t y. T h e y s h o u l d a l s o h a v e a n a c c e pt a b l e h e a r i n g l e v e l t h a t wi l l e n a b l e t h e m t o p i c k u p t h e s o u n ds o f a pp r o a c h i n g v e h i c l e s f r om a l l d i r e c t i o n s a n d t h e a b i l i t y t o d i s c e r n s i t u a t i o ns o f p o t e n t i a l d a n g e r. T h e h i r i n g a u t h o r i t y m a y r e q u i r e a p h y s i c a l e xa m i n a t i o n of a s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d c a n d i d a t e b y a l i c e n s e d p h y s i c i a n, p a y i n g p a r t i c u l a r a t t e n t i o n t o h e a r i n g, v i s i o n, a n d m o t o r s k i l l s. A n a n n u a l p h y s i c a l e xa m m a y b e r e q u i r e d a s d e t e r m i n e d b y a g e o r o t h e r f a c t o r s. 3. C h a r a c t e r r e f e r e n c e s a n d / o r a n a c c e p t a b l e c u r r e n t po l i c e c l e a r a n c e c e r t i f i c a t e I t i s s t r o n g l y r e c om m e n d e d t h a t a l l c a n d i d at e s f o r em p l o ym e n t as a s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d b e r e q u e s t e d t o p r o v i d e a c u r r e n t p o l i c e c l e a r a n c e c e r t i f i c at e f r om t h e l oc a l p o l i c e s e r v i c e. 1 1

27 A P P O I N T I N G A S C H O O L C R O S S I N G G U A R D S U P E R V I S O R O n c e a m u n i c i p a l i t y h a s r e c o g n i z e d t h e n e e d f o r a s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d p r o g r a m i t i s s t r o n g l y r e c om m e n d e d t h a t a s t af f m em b e r b e a p p o i n t e d b y t h e m u ni c i p a l i t y t o o v e r s e e t h e a dm i n i s t r a t i o n a n d s u p e r v i s i o n o f t h e p r o g r a m. Dependin g o n t h e s i z e o f t h e M u n i c i p a l i t y, t h i s p o s i t i o n m a y b e d e f i n e d a s a c o o r d i n a t o r o r a s u p e r v i s o r. I n t h i s g u i d e we wi l l r e f e r t o t h i s p o s i t i o n as s u p e r v i s o r. D U T I E S O F A S C H O O L C R O S S I N G G U A R D S U P E R V I S O R T h e s u p e r v i s o r w i l l b e r e q u i r e d t o i n t e r v i e w p r o s p e c t i v e s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d s a l o n g wi t h o p e r a t i n g t h e c om p l e t e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d pr o g r a m. T h e s u p e r v i s o r, i n m o s t m u ni c i p a l i t i es, wi l l b e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r i d e nt i f y i n g po t e n t i a l n e w l o c a t i o ns, c o n d uc t i n g t h e r e q u i r e d wa r r a n t s t u d i e s i n a c c o r d a n c e wi th t h e c r i t e r i a s e t b y t h e m u n i c i p a l i t y a n d c on s u l t i n g wi t h t h e s c h o o l b o a r ds a s t o t h e o p e n i n g / c l os i n g o f s c h o o l s. T h e s u p e r v i s o r s h o u l d a l s o v i s i t a l l s c ho o l c r o s s i n g l o c a t i o ns p e r i o d i c al l y t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s ar e p e r f o r m i n g t h e i r d u t i es as r e q u i r e d. R E C R U I T M E N T S u g g e s t e d wa y s t o r ec r u i t n e w s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d s i n c l u d e: R e q u e s t a r e a s c h o o l ( s ) p l ac e a n ar t i c l e i n t h e i r n e ws l e t t e r, P l a c e f l y e r s i n l o c a l s t o r e s i n t h e ar e a, N e t wo r k wi t h e xi s t i n g g u a r d p o p u l a t i o n, Arrange with school of f i c i a l s t o d i s p l a y p o s t e rs i n a r e a school( s ), H a n d d e l i v e r f l y e r s i n t h e a r e a s a d j a c e n t t o t h e school c r o s s i n g, P o s t o n m u n i c i p a l we b s i t e, P l a c e n e ws p a p e r a d u s u a l l y l a s t r e s o r t d u e t o c o s t f a c t o r I t i s r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t t h e a u t h o r i t y p r o v i d e a p o o l o f s u bs t i t u t e ( s p ar e ) g u a r d s t o c o v e r o f f a n y s c h o o l c r o s s i n g s w h e n r e q u i r e d. I t i s s u g g es t e d t h a t a t y p i c a l r at i o 1 2

28 i s 1 s p a r e g u a r d t o b e t we e n 8 a n d 1 0 p e r m a n e n t s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s, a s a m i n i m um. I N T E R V I E W T h e i n t e r v i e w p r o c e s s s h o u l d c o ns i s t of t w o m e e t i n g s. Fi rs t a n i n t er v i e w s h o u l d b e c o n d u c t e d e i t h e r b y p h o n e o r i n p e r s o n t o e xp l a i n t h e j o b r e q u i r e m e nt s, a n d t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e p e r s o n h a s b a s i c k n o wl e d g e o f t h e E n g l i s h l a n g ua g e r e q u i r e d f o r t h e p o s i t i o n. A t t h e s e c o n d i n t e r v i e w t h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s u p e r v i s o r wi l l r e v i e w t h e c o n t e n t of t h e a u t h o r i t y s S C G t r a i n i n g m a n u a l, i f a v a i l a b l e a n d s h o u l d a d d r e s s a l l q u e s t i o ns a n d c o n c e rn s. T o e n s u r e t h a t t h e c a n d i d a t e i s s u i t a b l e, a p o l i c e c l e a r a n c e c e r t i f i c a t e s h o u l d b e o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e l o c a l p o l i c e s e r v i c e. T h e c o s t o f o bt a i n i n g t h e c e r t i f i c a t e i s t y p i c a l l y t h e r es p o n s i b i l i t y o f t h e c a n d i d a t e a p p l y i n g f o r t h e p o s i t i o n. T h e s up e r v i s o r s h o u l d c o nt a c t a n y r e f e r e n c e s p r i o r t o t h e s ec o n d i n t e r v i e w. (D u r i n g t h e i n t e r v i e w t h e r e a r e a n u m b e r o f t h e i t em s t h at s h o u l d b e a d d r e s s e d ). T h e p u b l i c i m a g e c r e a t e d b y school c r o s s i n g g u a r d s m us t b e a n e xe m p l a r y o n e. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e n e e d t o b e o n t i m e, a n d a n e a t n e s s o f a p p e a r a n c e, i t i s i m p o r t a nt t o s t r es s t h e i n a d v i s a b i l i t y o f s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s s m ok i n g o n d u t y o r f r e q u e n t i n g l i q u o r l i c e n s e d e s t a b l i s hm e n t s wh i l e i n u n i f o r m, a s we l l a s e n g a g i n g i n a n y o t h e r a c t i o n s t h at wo u l d c o m p r om i s e t h e i r a b i l i t y t o p e r f o r m t h e i r d u t i e s o r b r i n g c r i t i c i s m f r o m t h e g e n e r a l p u b l i c. I f t h e m u n i c i p a l i t y h a s a P e r s o n a l C o n d u c t P o l i c y, a c o p y o f t h i s s h o u l d b e g i v e n t o t h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d at t h e t i m e o f hi r e. T h e s uc c es s f u l c a n d i d a t e wi l l b e a s s i g n e d a s c h o o l c r o s s i n g l oc a t i o n a n d g i v e n the necessary equipm ent in order to perform their dutie s. T r a i n i ng s h o u l d b e d o n e o n s i t e, e i t h e r b y t h e s u p e r v i s o r / o r s om e o n e d e s i g n a t e d. O N S I T E T R A I N I N G T r a i n i n g s h o u l d i n c l u d e a m i n i m um o f t wo d a y s o f o n s i t e i n s t r u c t i on ( l o n g e r i f t h e n e w g u a r d d o e s n o t f e e l c om f o rt a b l e a n d s e c u r e ) wh e r e t h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d i s t o b e s t a t i o n e d. I n s t r uc t i o n s h o u l d i n c l u d e d u t i e s a n d r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s, p r o p e r d i s p l a y o f s i g n, r e a c t i n g t o t r a f f i c c o n d i t i o ns, a n d d e a l i n g wi t h s t u d e n t s. A n n u a l s em i n a rs m a y b e h e l d t o pr o v i d e c o n t i n u o us t r a i ni n g a n d i ns tr u c t i o n. 1 3

29 T h e c o n t r o l a n d d i r ec t i o n of p e de s t r i a n t r a f f i c r e q u i r e d f o r t h e s a f e c r o s s i n g o f s t u d e n t s i s t h e m a j o r f u n c t i o n o f s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r ds. I t i s i m p or t a n t t h at t h i s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y b e c a r r i e d o u t p r o p e r l y. A s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s a c t i o n s h o u l d b e u n i f o rm, c o n s i s t e nt a n d c l e a r l y c om m u ni c at e d s o t h a t b o t h p e de s t r i a ns a n d d r i v e r s wi l l k n o w wh a t i s r e q u i r e d o f t h em. T h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s h o u l d b e c l e a r l y i n s t r u c t e d t h at t h ei r f u n c t i o n i s t o c r e a t e s af e c r o s s i n g o p p o r t u n i t i es f o r p e r s o n s t o c r os s t h e s t r e e t s a f e l y. T h e r o l e o f t h e s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d i s n o t t o e xp e d i t e t h e m o v em e n t o f v e h i c u l a r t r af f i c. S c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d s s h o u l d be i n f o rm e d a b o u t r e g u l a t i o ns s p ec i f i c t o d r i v e r a n d p e d e s t r i a n r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s i n r e l a t i o n t o s c h o o l c r o s s i n gs, p a r k i n g a n d y i e l d i n g t h e r i g ht o f wa y s h o u l d b e d i s c us s e d o n s i t e. S c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s s h o u l d b e a wa r e o f o b s t r u c t i o ns a n d u n u s u a l c i r c um s t a n c es at t h e i r s c h o o l c r o s s i n g t h a t c a n l e a d t o h i g h r i s k v e h i c l e / p e d e s t r i a n c o n f l i c t s. T h e s e c o u l d i n c l u d e s i t e o b s t r u c t i o n s s u c h a s h e d g e s o r t r e e s, i n o p e r a t i v e o r m i s s i n g t r a f f i c c o nt r o l d e v i c e s, r o a d wa y o r s i d e wa l k c o n s t r u c t i o n h a z a r d s, a nd s t a n d i n g wa t e r o r m u d. O b s t r uc t i o ns i n t h e s t u d e n t s o r s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d s p a t h t h a t m a y c a u s e t h em t o d e t o u r i n t o t h e v e h i c u l a r r i g h t o f wa y s h o u l d b e r ep o r t e d t o t h e s u p e r v i s o r as s o o n as p os s i b l e. T h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s h o u l d b e i n s t r u c t e d o n t h e p r o p e r p r o c e d u r e s t o f o l l o w s h o u l d a n e m e r g e n c y s i t u a t i o n o c c u r a t t h e i r s c h o o l c r os s i n g. T h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d m u s t b e i n s t r u c t e d t h a t t h e s t u d e n t s a r e t h e i r h i g h e s t p r i o r i t y a n d t h e y m us t r em a i n at t h e i r s c h o o l c ro s s i n g a t a l l t i m e s. I t i s i m p o rt a n t t o em p h a s i z e t o t he s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d t h a t r a i n, s n o w, s l e e t, a n d e xt r e m e we a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s d i r e c t l y i m p ac t t h e s af e t y o f t h e s c ho o l c r o s s i n g. U n d e r t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s v e h i c l e t r a c t i o n a n d s t o p p i n g d i s t a n c e s, as we l l a s t h e a b i l i t y o f t h e m o t o r i s t t o s e e, a r e a d v e r s e l y a f f e c t e d a n d c a n b e s i g n i f i c a nt l y r e d u c e d. V i s i b i l i t y a n d t r a c t i o n a r e a l s o a p r o b l em f o r t h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s a n d s t u d e n t s. D u r i n g t h e s n o w s e a s o n, s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r ds s h ou l d h a v e s a l t o r s a n d a v a i l a b l e i n t h e e v e n t t ha t t h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g i s s l i p p e r y. A d d i t i o n a l c l o t h i n g f o r i n c l em e n t we a t h e r a n d wi n t e r m o n t hs i s i m p o r t a nt. 1 4

30 A D D I T I O N A L C O N S I D E R A T I O N S I t i s r e c om m e n d e d t h a t f o l l o wi n g i n f o rm a t i o n b e p r o v i d e d t o t h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d : S c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s u s i n g t h e i r p e r s o n a l v e h i c l e t o t r a v e l t o t h e i r c r o s s i n g, m us t p a r k i n t h e a p p r o p r i a t e p l a c e, i. e. a wa y f r om S T O P s i g n s, f i r e h y d r a n t s a n d i n c om pl i a n c e wi t h a l l t r a f f i c c o n t r o l d e v i c e s s o a s n ot t o o b s t r u c t t r a f f i c o r v i s i b i l i t y a t o r o f t h e s c h o o l c r os s i ng. A l l s c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s s h o u l d v i s i t t h e s c h o o l ( s ) wh o s e s t u d e n t s t h e y c r o s s t o i nt r o d u c e t h em s e l v es t o t h e s c h o o l a dm i n i s t r a t i o n. I n t h e e v e n t t h a t t h e s c h o o l m u s t c l o s e e a r l y d u e t o u n f o r e s e e n c i r c u m s t a n c e s, c o nt a c t i n f o r m a t i o n s h o u l d b e p r o v i d e d t o t h e a p p r o p r i a t e s c h o o l of f i c i a l s f o r t h e S C G a n d / o r s u p e r v i s o r. T h e s c h o o l c r os s i n g g u a r d s s h o u l d a l s o b e a wa r e o f a n y u n u s u a l v e h i c l es o r p e r s o n s i n t h e v i c i n i t y of t h e i r l o c a t i o n. I n t h i s c as e, s c h o o l of f i c i a l s m us t b e notified immediately, in order for the local poli c e s e r v i c e t o b e c o nt a c t e d. S c h o o l c r o s s i n g g u a r d s s h o u l d a r ri v e a t t h e i r l oc a t i o ns a f e w m i n ut es e a r l y i n o r d e r t o c h e c k f o r a n y o b s t r u c t i o n s t h a t m a y a f f e c t o r i m p a c t t h e s a f e o p e r a t i o n o f t h e s c h o o l c r o s s i n g. 1 5