Hero Bus Driver Honored by PG County Fire Department

LARGO, MD — The bus driver who saved 20 elementary school students from a burning bus was honored with the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department's Meritorious Service Award in a recent ceremony.

Renita Smith was presented with the award at Fire/EMS headquarters in Largo on Sept. 20, eight days after she pulled 20 kids off a bus in College Park when she noticed something burning in the back of the bus, according to a statement from PGFD.

"Renita Smith was on her third stop of the day at 51st Avenue and Hollywood Road in College Park when she noticed the dashboard brake light on the school bus she was driving was illuminated," the statement reads. "Smelling something burning, she immediately pulled over to radio the depot for a backup bus. However, as she moved toward the microphone, one of your young passengers yelled, 'It’s a fire!' Upon looking in the rearview mirror, Smith observed that flames were indeed coming from the bus."

That's when Smith went into what she called "mommy mode," the statement said.

"Smith quickly began removing the children one-by-one from the vehicle," it continued. "Despite the thick, black smoke and increasing flames, Smith risked her life by reentering the bus a final time to ensure all of the children were safe. As soon as she reached the last step and was about to exit the bus, it went up in smoke."

Image via PGFD