Gwinnett County Public Schools bus driver Jose Rivera-Perez has been honored for his quick thinking and decisive action when he came across a burning school bus, an event witnessed by families, colleagues, and friends who later gathered to celebrate his bravery. During his encounter with the fiery peril on Aug. 12, Rivera-Perez took swift action by helping to evacuate the students and extinguishing the blaze, events confirmed according to the district and Fox5Atlanta. His readiness for such an emergency stemmed from rigorous training—a fact highlighted by Rivera-Perez who said, "[We are trained] very well, every year we have good training, and we go through a lot of documentation."
For his actions, Rivera-Perez received the Gwinnett County Rotary Club’s Hidden Hero Award and a $750 check which demonstrated tangible gratitude for his life-saving response, details provided in a ceremony where he was also handed a commemorative plaque, according to the reporting by The Georgia Sun; GCPS Bus Monitor Rashauna McGowan, in awe of his courage, remarked, "A lot of people can be afraid of fires, but Jose went in, struck it fast, and got the job done," highlighting the exceptional nature of Rivera-Perez's deed which, while guided by procedure, often unfollowed when confronted with the immediate danger of fire.
The recognition event was held at Radloff Middle School, where Rivera-Perez's contribution to the safety and welfare of his students was the central theme. The Rotary Club of Gwinnett's president, Joe Sorenson, awarded Rivera-Perez with the distinction of Hidden Hero, a title reserved for individuals who act selflessly, without anticipation of acknowledgment.
Louise Radloff, a former member of the Gwinnett Board of Education, spoke at the ceremony, appreciating bus drivers, monitors, and managers, she was emphasizing their critical role as caretakers of children's comings and goings, and highlighting the steadfast presence required in times of unexpected turmoil, a sentiment echoed by Transportation Support Manager Carla Hart who praised the trained response of the drivers saying "Both of our drivers acted just as they were trained, which is an amazing sight," captured in a statement obtained by The Georgia Sun.
