PORTLAND, Ore. — School bus driver Kay Brown was praised for safely evacuating the students from her bus last month before it became engulfed in flames, KPTV reports.
Brown, who drives a special-needs route, was transporting the students to their elementary school when she noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. She stopped the bus, escorted the students off and called 911.
Portland fire officials told the news source that the bus erupted in flames while firefighters were en route. No one was injured in the incident.
To read the full story, click here.
Special-needs driver acts quickly before bus fire
Kay Brown is praised for safely evacuating the students from her bus after she notices smoke coming from the engine compartment. The bus erupts into flames a short time later.
More Special Needs Transportation
The Lived-Experience Gap in Mobility Tech: An Expert Take on Safe Student Transportation
A product application specialist at AMF Bruns of America and a wheelchair user drops in to The Route to share practical securement and training insights, plus why she launched the “Beyond Mobility” podcast. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →What Transportation Gets Wrong About Wheelchair Securement (And How to Fix It)
Brianna Pauwee, product application specialist at AMF Bruns of America and a wheelchair user shares practical securement and training insights, plus why she launched the “Beyond Mobility” podcast. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →
Keeping Up With Special-Needs Training & Standards: What Districts Need To Know in 2026
As the number of students with disabilities and IEPs rises nationwide, transportation teams face growing pressure to stay compliant, confident, and trained. Explore what’s evolving and how to stay on top of it all.
Read More →
How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
Announcing 2026 Special-Needs Driver of the Year Nominations
Honoring the exemplary accomplishments of school bus drivers transporting students with disabilities, AMF Bruns of America’s ninth annual National Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year Award series is open for nominations!
Read More →
Special-Needs Transportation Shifts in 2026: More Riders, More Tech, New Pressures [Survey Report]
What’s changing in special-needs transportation? Operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and emerging challenges. Details here! Survey sponsor: AMF Bruns of America.
Read More →
New Jersey Legislature Approves Special Education Transportation Task Force
The state moves to review special education transportation policies following safety concerns raised by families and advocates.
Read More →3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers
Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.
Read More →
Why Student Privacy Matters in Special-Needs School Transportation
Learn more about what federal law really allows when sharing special-needs information with bus drivers and aides while protecting student privacy.
Read More →
AMF Bruns Celebrates 2025 Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year
Julio Ospina, a SPED driver and safety trainer at Wylie ISD in Texas, was named the national winner in AMF's annual driver award series.
Read More →
