Snowbound Buses Debacle In Providence

This is a great example of why businesses and government need critical, accurate information about snowstorms, which companies like AccuWeather provide. From affiliate WPRI-WNAC (CBS-FOX) in Providence, Rhode Island:

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The Mayor of Providence fired the city's Emergency Management director Thursday (12/20) because hundreds of school kids were stranded on buses during last week's snow storm. Officials say anywhere from 60 to 75 buses remained on the streets into the night, some not dropped at home until 11 P-M. At least eight schools reported their kids were not even picked up until after 5:30 P-M. What's worse, worried parents were not informed of what was going on. The school system's superintendent said he didn't find out about the problem until about 7:30 that night. Emergency Management Agency director Leo Messier and the education department's chief of operations was suspended for 30 days Thursday (12/20). The Governor had fired the EMA's executive director on Tuesday (12/18). The Mayor also blamed the bus company calling the debacle "totally unacceptable". Mayor David Cicilline directed the Emergency Management Agency to establish an automated telephone system to alert parents each hour if buses are ever significantly delayed again. Other changes include an emergency management cabinet which will convene when students are being driven home during dangerous weather and communication between bus drivers and the school district will be revamped.