In a powerful demonstration of community resilience and innovation, Florida’s Glades County School District hosted a hurricane preparedness event to showcase how electric school buses can serve as emergency assets in the aftermath of major storms.
Held near the Moore Haven Public Library on June 10, the event brought together a coalition of local agencies and highlighted Glades County’s proactive approach to disaster readiness. As a trusted hub for the community, the Glades County School District leveraged its unique position to convene key partners and educate students on how cutting-edge technologies can support hurricane response.
At the heart of the demonstration was the district’s electric school bus, which had been transformed into a mobile cooling center capable of providing relief during extended power outages. Glades County brought 13 new electric school buses into operation in January 2025, replacing more than half of its aging diesel fleet. In addition to emitting zero tailpipe emissions, these electric school buses provide essential air conditioning for students in the Florida heat, a notable improvement over the former diesel buses, which lacked air conditioning.
On a sweltering day, stepping onto the air-conditioned bus was a clear reminder of how vital such a resource could be in the wake of a storm. With the bus battery at 90% during the demonstration, it continued to run the air conditioning system for several hours.
Beyond cooling, the event also showed the versatility of electric vehicles (EVs) in emergency scenarios. EVs, such as electric school buses, have large lithium-based battery packs that store energy and power electric motors, just as gasoline powers an engine. EVs also have 12-volt batteries, just like gas vehicles, but, unlike gas vehicles, these auxiliary batteries can be used to power things without concern of draining them. So, using a simple inverter, event organizers plugged the 12-volt battery into a snow cone machine, offering a hands-on example of how electric vehicles can supply basic electricity needs. A how-to video is now available on YouTube for others looking to replicate this setup.
Community Partners in Preparedness
The event featured hands-on presentations from several key Glades County agencies:
- Glades County Emergency Operations Center helped explain the county’s broader storm response strategies.
- Glades County Health Department shared crucial information on water safety and how flooding can lead to contamination.
- Glades Electric Cooperative utilized a live model to demonstrate the dangers of downed power lines and the procedures crews follow to restore service safely.
- Glades County School District Food Services provided lunch to attendees, reinforcing the community-first spirit of the event.
- The nearby Moore Haven Public Library served as a welcoming neighbor and potential future partner for outreach.
While the primary audience was local students, organizers emphasized the importance of expanding future events to include the general public.
A Model for Other Districts and Agencies
Glades County School District’s effort wasn’t just about one bus or one day — it was a call to action for other school districts and county agencies.
Other districts can follow Glades County’s lead by hosting their own public education events, helping residents understand how EVs can support emergency response. These events not only build awareness but also create networks of trust and collaboration that will be critical when the next storm hits.
