Chief Alan Brunacini influenced tens of thousands of firefighters around the world. Here, we share some thoughts and stories from some of Bruno’s dear friends and members of his fire service family.
The Nicest Man
Bruno changed the American fire service. He set out to make the Phoenix Fire Department a better place to work and to make it a better fire department. There certainly are not many individuals in the fire service who have not heard of Mrs. Smith, or the words “Be Nice” and of course “Be Safe.” They were all trademarks of the nicest man I have ever known and have had the privilege of calling my friend for over 50 years. We should all take the lessons that we have learned from Bruno and continue to make the fire service a better place than we found it. If you need some guidance or words of wisdom, pick up a copy of “Fire Command,” “Essentials of Fire Department Customer Service” or “Timeless Tactical Truths.”
Bruce Varner retired as fire chief for the Santa Rose, CA, Fire Department.
Visionary, Mentor, Change-Agent
It is almost impossible to count all of the positive changes and innovations that sprouted over the years, but they all radiated from one person who had the vision, the skills and the perseverance to make it all happen. He was a visionary master of leadership, change-agent and enabler, and he seemed to absolutely enjoy what he was doing right up to his last day with us.
The most important factor that made Bruno successful, aside from being highly intelligent and naturally talented, was that he truly loved the fire service and firefighters. He wanted to make the fire service as good as it could possibly be, and he wanted every firefighter to be safe, healthy, happy and satisfied. As he loved to say when he made a point, “It’s just that simple!”
J. Gordon Routley is a division chief with the Montreal Fire Department in Quebec, Canada, and a fire protection engineer and fire service consultant.
Building His Own Box
Chief Brunacini’s influence on my career simply can’t be measured. He was always thinking. The concept of “Mrs. Smith” in customer service was something I had never thought of, or encountered. People would stop me in the yellow fire chief’s car and ask me for directions. Instead of telling them directions, I would have them follow me. That’s the kind of customer service I would have my troops do.
It was such a joy and a privilege to work at the right hand of the master. He was a visionary. He did not just think outside of the box; he threw away the box and built his own.
Dr. Harry Carter is a fire protection consultant and battalion chief (ret.), Newark, NJ, Fire Department.
Use the Systems to Change the Systems
Working with Alan was like going to school every day. In all of the research I've done in almost 50 years, I don’t know of another Alan Brunacini, and I doubt that there will be another one. His vision, leadership capabilities, belief in research and training, and confidence in the capabilities of firefighters, changed our service forever. His influence contributed greatly to who we are, what we do, and the way we do it. Because he chose to become a firefighter, the fire service became different, safer and more effective. It’s impossible to overstate his gifts and the many lives he impacted through his leadership.
Dennis Compton is chairman of the Board of Directors for the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
A Father Figure
I am heartbroken at having lost a father figure—a person who has touched me like no one else in my life ever has with his kindness, his brilliance, his eloquence and his simplicity. It is humbling to realize how he was able to make so many others—by the hundreds if not thousands—feel the same way. On the other hand, I am so very grateful for that part of his life he shared with me personally and with all of us in the fire service collectively. It is hard to imagine where we would be without his extraordinary vision.
Curt Varone is director of the Legal and Liability Risk Management Institute (Fire Service Division) and deputy assistant chief (ret.) for the Providence, RI, Fire Department.
Committed to Health & Safety
Chief Brunacini was brilliant. He didn’t set out to do that, but his work, personality and good nature are what made him who he was. He was committed to firefighter health and safety more than anyone. Visiting with the chief in his office years ago, I remarked that it was my long-held belief that with his understanding of group dynamics, his vision and his commitment to the people he served, had he not chosen the fire service as his life’s work, he would have surely been a CEO of a Fortune 500 corporation. The fire service was very fortunate that he made his career with us. We are all better for it.
Steve Austin is the director of governmental relations for the International Association of Arson Investigators.
Mount Rushmore of Fire Service Leaders
To me, Chief Brunacini was on the Mount Rushmore of the fire service leaders. He was one of my most staunch supporters on a national stage to promote my message of mental health in the fire service. He was never afraid to do the unorthodox if he felt it was the right thing to do. I, along with literally thousands of others, learned so much just by being in his presence and will be forever grateful for his personal guidance.”
Patrick Kenny is director of Fire and EMS in the Village of Western Springs, IL.
Realizing the Potential of the Badge
My whole career I have preached fire prevention and community relations, that our role in the community is so much more than putting out fires. One of the very first books I read as a new firefighter was Chief Brunacini’s customer service book and his stories about Mrs. Smith. It shaped my whole view of the fire service and our role and responsibility to the public. He is one of the reasons I believe what I do and why my career has been so fulfilling. He helped me realize the potential of my badge.
Dan Byrne is a firefighter/paramedic and community support officer in Burton, SC, Fire District.
Complimented by an Icon
An icon like Chief Brunacini leaves an indelible mark on your perspective toward our duty each time you hear him speak. For me, the best way to honor him is to follow the example he put in place to better the fire service that we share a love for. We may never see an influence like his passion for the fire service anytime soon, if ever at all.
Michael Daley is a lieutenant with the Monroe Township, NJ, Fire District.
He Always Took the Time
The fact that he was honored by so many organizations for his leadership, including being inducted into the Firehouse Hall of Fame in 2015 as an original member, speaks volumes. With everything said, he was a personable man who took the time to say hello and was always interested in hearing what you had to say and discussing issues with you.
James P. Smith is a retired deputy chief of the Philadelphia, PA, Fire Department.
A Better Man for His Example
To my surprise, one of the very first presentations I ever gave featured only two presenters that day—me and Chief Brunacini. I stumbled through my presentation on the Worcester Cold Storage Fire “Lessons Learned” while the chief attentively listened. After a short break, Chief Brunacini “held court” with an enthralled crowd, passing on his tremendous wisdom to the crowd gathered in his typical self-effacing, humorous fashion. As I would come to learn quickly, the chief would rather talk “with” you than “at” you. After only about 40 minutes of “lecture,” he pulled up a chair on the stage to spend the bulk of the session answering questions from the audience. To my horror and incredible honor, Chief Brunacini invited me to join him on stage to answer questions. Chief Brunacini made me feel larger than life that day and every time our paths crossed afterward. A handwritten note arrived at my home some weeks later, and every year a card came for the holidays. This legendary figure had no pretense, not an ounce of superiority; his cup was filled to capacity with humility and genuine compassion for every person he met. I am a better man and officer for his example.
John F. Sullivan is deputy chief of operations for the Worcester Fire Department.
Support from “the Boss”
I was blessed to be a college intern for the Phoenix Fire Department, working in Administration during the day and living in the fire station to experience operations and all in between. Over the next 25 years, “the Boss” supported, guided, influenced and always encouraged me. I have hundreds of AVB quotes over our 25-plus-year relationship. The one I’ll leave you with goes with a picture I have of he and I when we were conducting research burns in Spartanburg, SC. Chief Brunacini said, “Shane, I’ve been watching things burn for over 50 years; when you can do it today and make me say ‘wow,’ you have done something!” I never tried to impress him; I only tried to implement what he taught me.
Chief Shane Ray is president of the National Fire Sprinkler Association.
So Much to Share
Bruno spent a lot of time in airports. I was coming home early from a conference and had several hours to waste in the airport before my flight, and I dozed off just sitting in a chair. Bruno woke me up with his normal “Hey, whatcha doing?” Although I spent three intense hours just listening and sharing ideas with Bruno, it felt like it was just 30 minutes. We talked about everything from old fire trucks to our philosophical feelings about the fire service … and I made fun of his cartoons. The one thing he left me with was that the cartoons and pictures were the only things that would keep us firefighters engaged in a book. I think he is right.
Brian Schaeffer is the fire chief of the Spokane, WA, Fire Department.
Enjoy the Journey
Bruno was the Godfather of Incident Command, and his ICS series was a big part of shaping my career as a fire officer. Once I shared a taxi ride to the Boston airport, and as we passed a Boston engine company fighting a vehicle fire, Bruno said, “That's where the fun is and where you make a real difference, I envy that time!” Bruno told me to remember not to focus so much on the destination, but to enjoy the journey of the experiences and friends you'll meet along the way.
Charles Werner serves as senior advisor for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
Sharing the Knowledge
I had the very good fortune of getting to know Chief Brunacini through his involvement with the National Fire Fighter Near-Miss Reporting System, Blue Card Command and being an “opening act” for one of his presentations several years ago. His messages of “Be Nice,” “8 Functions of Command” and countless others are timeless. When my son became a firefighter a little over five years ago, my gift to him was to pay forward what Chief Brunacini has done for me by giving my son a copy of “Timeless Tactical Truths.”
John Tippett Jr., is the interim fire chief for the Charleston, SC, Fire Department.
The “Written Thing” Catches On
As I left a training in which Chief Brunacini told a story about two young firefighters taking command of an incident using their SOPs, I began to think about written policies and this issue of incident command. I began searching for examples to use as templates and started the process of constructing SOGs and a “skills and maintenance” training manual for use by my departments. It took some time, but this “written thing” caught on, and our guys started relying on the documents to assist in their decision-making, including a focus on incident command that did not solely revolve around rank. Today it seems strange to think that departments would not have written policies, but back then, at least in my area, it was commonplace. Brunacini’s teaching that day changed how we did business and made my departments better, more professional operating organizations.
Craig Haigh is the fire chief for the Hanover Park, IL, Fire Department.
Always Doing the Right Thing
Chief Brunacini made me a better fire chief. If I hit a rough spot, if I had something going on, I could call him and he was always there to give me guidance or make me laugh. He was so quick-witted that it was always enjoyable to spend time with him. One of the things that I really took from him was to know your firefighters—and Chief Brunacini knew firefighters. I can't think of anybody else in the fire service that has had the impact upon so many people that he did. He changed the fire service for the better throughout his career and was still doing that right up until the day he died.
Charles Hood is fire chief for the San Antonio, TX, Fire Department.
Time with the Interns
As a summer intern with Phoenix Fire Department in 2003, I noted how Chief Brunacini would make a point to spend time with the interns. He would always sit with us at lunch at the symposiums when there were people from all over the world who wanted some of his time. He has influenced the leader that I have become today.
James Lombardo is a paramedic III/field training officer for Sussex County, DE, Paramedics.
Best Facilitator in the Fire Service
Bruno had time for everyone. It didn’t matter your status in life or in the fire service, everyone was of equal importance to Bruno. Whenever we taught together, I was always intrigued by how the audience hung on his every word. When Bruno speaks, people listen, not out of his authority, but rather out of his command of the subject matter. The chief was the definition of the good listener; I think that’s what made him the best facilitator the fire service has ever seen. Alan Brunacini was an extremely intelligent man with a larger-than-life presence in the fire service and the kindness of a saint.
Otto Huber is the fire chief and deputy safety director for the Loveland-Symmes, OH, Fire Department.
Don’t “Accept” Firefighter Deaths
While there are many stories and wonderful things that can be written about Bruno, here is one thing he taught me that absolutely changed me: Don't “accept” firefighter deaths. I grew up in the fire service when we didn't know any better other than the fact that a firefighter LODD was a terrible—and ceremonial—event. We then went back to the firehouse and generally continued to do what we had just mourned about. There were few systems in place for us to learn about what happened—and not do that again. In 1984, a Phoenix firefighter named Ricky Pearce died very tragically in the line of duty. I distinctly remember when Bruno shared with the world what the PFD could improve upon following that tragic loss. So many chiefs were worried that by sharing the facts, a fire department could open themselves up to liability. When I asked him about that, his response was crystal clear, including comments such as, “Of course we are liable; why would anyone ever think we aren’t?” and “Perhaps the problem of more firefighters getting killed is because we didn't talk about the ones who were killed previously.” He did so much for so many—so many who don't even realize it—and wow, we were so lucky to have him.
Billy Goldfeder is deputy fire chief for the Loveland-Symmes, OH, Fire Department.
Proud Father
Some say New York firefighters are suspicious of everyone. When some fire officers I knew were going to meet or work with Alan, they would ask me, “Chief, what kind of guy is Brunacini?” They were intimidated by his reputation. I would tell them, “Relax, he is a great guy and like everyone I know, once you meet him, you will love him.” I never had anyone tell me I was wrong.
Vincent Dunn is a deputy chief (ret.) of the FDNY.
Applying His Command Wisdom
Chief Brunacini was a warm and friendly person, and I enjoyed talking with him. His impact on me as a firefighter was immeasurable. Often I utilized his incident command wisdom, both in teaching and in my daily operations. The Phoenix Fire Department was a leader in innovations early in my career and played a big role in motivating me and making my role in my departments better. He has likely touched more lives than any member of the modern fire service.
Robert Burke is a hazardous materials and fire protection consultant.
The Entire Market!
One day Chief Brunacini asked me to review his manuscript for “Essentials of Customer Service for the Fire Service” because of my marketing background. Then we would go to his favorite Mexican restaurant. I was in a tie and pinstripe suit pontificating about the various market segments that could use different aspects of the fire services. In between the arrival of the tacos and guacamole, he drew a pie chart on a napkin, looked at me and said, “We don’t segment our market, Ben. We want the entire market, including non-emergency incidents!” The man was a genius. He was the heart and brains of the very best of leadership and innovation in the U.S. fire service.
Ben May is the fire commissioner (ret.) for Woodinville, WA, Fire and Rescue.
