Tulsa Bus Driver Prevents Potential Tragedy

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On November 23, 2011 at 7:15 am, Tulsa Fire Department's Engine 24, Ladder 24 and Engine 16 responded to a Tulsa Public School bus reported to be on fire at 2600 East Mohawk Boulevard.  Upon our arrival we found a standard "full size" school bus fully involved. Fire Equipment Operator Chad Fowler positioned E24 to block off eastbound traffic and quickly established charged hose lines while E16 blocked westbound traffic on Mohawk Boulevard. 

Firefighters Adam Joseph, Dylan Broadland and Steve Washington extinguished the fire with the two hose lines.  This TPS bus was supplied by Compressed Natural Gas and E24 shut off the fuel supply to prevent further damage to the bus and danger to the public.      

While this incident is an example of the excellent work the above mentioned firefighters do on a regular basis.  The true "hero" today is the TPS bus driver,Yolanda Palmer.  Her direct actions prevented what could have been a tragedy.  Her bus had at least 17 elementary age children, students of William Penn Elementary, on board at the time.  She noticed her bus was "running rough and backfired" and began pulling the bus to the side of the road at which time she saw flames coming from the interior engine compartment. 

She told the children to exit the bus while she attempted to extinguish the fire with the on board extinguisher.  The extinguisher wasn't able to control the fire –so she then stood in front of the flames coming around the interior engine compartment while the remainder of the children exited the bus. 

She called 911 to report the situation (including the information that this was a CNG bus) and grouped the children approximately 100 yards away from the fire.  I don't believe that exiting out of the rear emergency door would have been a better option due to several factors including the ages of the children, the density, the volume and the toxicity of the smoke.  Her quick actions resulted in the safe removal of all the children with in no injuries.



Author:Tulsa Fire Department Press Release