Beyond the Bus

CATA continues to equip its employees with additional safety training to ensure the protection of operators, riders and the public.

The Active Violence Emergency Response Training (AVERT) offered by the national Health & Safety Institute is a program focused on teaching proactive awareness, and how to react and protect oneself and others in the event of an active-violence situation. It also includes CPR, choking response and AED training certification.

Taught by certified instructors, the goal of this training is to ensure that all employees have the awareness and tools they need to keep themselves and customers safe in an emergency. No matter their role, CATA staff — operators, mechanics and administrative employees — will be able to use this training to recognize when an emergency is occurring and how to safely respond to the situation. Over 80 percent of CATA employees have already been trained. The remainder of the workforce should complete the mandatory course by the end of summer 2023.

AVERT Tac Pacs are aboard every CATA bus and at CATA facilities in addition to standard first-aid kits. A Tac Pac contains specialized first aid equipment to help stop bleeding associated with severe injuries.

As CATA continues to evaluate opportunities to protect the community and employees, the AVERT program offers another tool in CATA’s toolbox for providing emergency response.

This content has been published in the 2023 Community Report.