Driver honored for saving 40 children from bus fire

Last week, the Wisconsin School Bus Association named Steve Linehan Wisconsin School Bus Driver of the Year and presented him with a plaque at a luncheon. Linehan was driving the students to an elementary school, stopped the bus when he smelled smoke, and evacuated the children as flames spread. There were only very minor injuries.

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

July 3, 2014

1 min to read

GREEN BAY, Wis. — River Falls Journal reports that last week the Wisconsin School Bus Association named Steve Linehan Wisconsin School Bus Driver of the Year for saving 40 children from a bus fire, presenting him with a plaque at a luncheon.

Last September, Linehan was driving a bus full of children to Greenwood Elementary School. He stopped the bus when he smelled smoke and evacuated the students as flames spread, with only very minor injuries, according to the newspaper.

Linehan said he is honored, but that the kids were the heroes; the incident was scary for them and “they all behaved like young men and women and they all got off safely,” Linehan said, according to the River Falls Journal. He added that it was the district’s training for bus drivers and students that helped him get the kids safely off the burning bus.

Bus Garage Supervisor Ron Weishaar, who nominated Linehan for the award, said he is very proud of Linehan.

To read the full story, click here.

Topics:bus fires Wisconsin Management Safety

More Safety

The Driver Shortage Playbook

Driver shortages are still a major challenge for student transportation fleets, but the real issue has shifted. It’s no longer just about filling seats quickly. It’s about finding safe, reliable drivers who meet performance expectations and want to stay. The Driver Shortage Playbook covers why traditional recruitment tactics are falling short and how school fleets are adapting with smarter hiring, stronger retention strategies and a greater focus on driver quality.

Safety•June 11, 2026

Pro-Vision Launches AI-Powered 360° Camera System

The new Birdseye camera delivers real-time AI-based pedestrian and vehicle detections, full visibility around the bus, and telematics integrations.

Safety•by Elora Haynes•June 9, 2026

N.Y. & N.J. Coalitions Call for Modernized Transportation for Vulnerable Students

New statewide coalitions in New York and New Jersey are urging lawmakers to expand student transportation options for vulnerable students amid ongoing driver shortages.

Graphic for an opinion article on illegal school bus passing. A school bus with its stop arm extended is stopped as children cross the street, while a black SUV drives past. Headline reads, “America’s School Bus Blind Spot.” School Bus Fleet branding appears in the corner.

Safety•June 8, 2026

America Has a School Bus Passing Problem — and Distraction Is Making It Worse

Illegal school bus passing remains a major safety threat as distracted driving rises. This op-ed explores why awareness, enforcement, and stop-arm cameras matter more than ever.

A black, white, and red graphic with an image of a school bus on a New York street and text reading "Legislative Roundup May 2026."

Safety•by Elora Haynes•May 29, 2026

School Bus Laws to Watch: New York Delays EV Mandate

Plus, federal lawmakers seek new funding for school bus safety as states weigh stop-arm enforcement, disability protections, and education spending.

The Essential Handbook for Safe Alternative Student Transportation

Your district's "exception riders" — students with IEPs, those experiencing homelessness, foster care youth — deserve more than a middleman solution. This handbook breaks down exactly what to look for in a supplemental transportation partner: from driver vetting and regulatory compliance to proactive safety technology. Because getting a ride isn't the same as getting a safe one.