Cannon Falls EMS chief becomes the school district's newest bus driver amid shortage

In a community facing a shortage of bus drivers, an emergency medical services chief in a Minnesota county south of the Twin Cities metro stepped up and got his bus license.

CANNON FALLS, MInn. (FOX 9) - In a community facing a shortage of bus drivers, an emergency medical services chief in a Minnesota county south of the Twin Cities metro stepped up and got his bus license.

Cannon Falls EMS chief Tim Malchow is the newest bus driver for the city’s school district. He plans to be a substitute driver, filling in as needed.

"Just like ambulance work, I’m committed to serving," Malchow told FOX 9. "There’s lots of areas a person can serve, and this is just one area that somebody looking to serve could go to and help out their schools."

Malchow has been chief for more than six years. He said he had been preparing for a bus license since before the pandemic, but it was delayed as he turned his focus to his full-time job. After some training for a couple of months, Malchow got his bus license last Thursday.

"It’s a new kind of challenge for me," Malchow said. "I enjoy building some rapport with the kids and just to see their faces as they get on and off the bus and just wishing them a good day."