BROKEN BOW, Neb. — With students returning to classrooms, local emergency officials are reminding families to review safety plans and asking drivers to use extra caution near Broken Bow schools.
Custer County Emergency Manager Mark Rempe and Broken Bow Police Capt. Chris Henderson discussed back-to-school safety during Friday’s Custer County Emergency Management Report on KBEAR 92.3.
Rempe encouraged parents to make sure their children know how to respond during an emergency, particularly when an adult may not be nearby.
“Don’t be scared of that dispatcher. Don’t be scared of the people who are coming to help you,” Rempe said. “Make sure you give them your name and your address.”
Children should also know about any medical conditions or medications they take, Rempe said. If they need to call 911, they should remain calm, listen carefully and answer the dispatcher’s questions.
Rempe also encouraged schools and families to review their emergency plans at the beginning of the academic year.
“This is a great time to review those plans,” he said. “Go over that with the children, with the parents and with emergency response.”
Henderson said the Broken Bow Police Department maintains a strong working relationship with Broken Bow Public Schools. Officers participate in school safety efforts by monitoring drills, checking doors and making sure buildings are secure.
“When they do lockdown drills, we are up there checking doors, making sure things are secure and safe and everybody’s good to go,” Henderson said.
Drivers should expect heavier vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the schools, particularly during the morning and afternoon.
A flashing yellow light along Memorial Drive reduces the speed limit to 20 mph from 12th Street to Fifth Street during designated school hours. Henderson said officers will watch for drivers traveling too quickly through the area.
“That means slow it down,” he said. “We’ve got little kids walking back and forth to school.”
Pedestrian crossing signs are also located along the street. Although they are not stop signs, motorists must stop when pedestrians are using the crosswalk.
Henderson encouraged commuters to leave home a little earlier so they are not rushing through school zones. Rempe added that children can sometimes enter a roadway unexpectedly.
“Kids are excited. Kids don’t pay attention,” Rempe said. “Always keep your head on a swivel. Nobody wants that accident to happen.”
Local first responders are also preparing for a charity softball game at Paul Brown Field in Broken Bow. The law enforcement-versus-EMS matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 28. Admission will be a free-will donation, with proceeds supporting the Forever Pink Foundation and breast cancer awareness and research.
