The fire service world was stunned and deeply saddened by the death of Chief (Ret.) Alan Brunacini of the Phoenix (AZ) Fire Department on October 15. A beloved mentor, instructor, author, and motivator, his influence on and contributions to the fire service were expansive and far-reaching. We at Fire Engineering and FDIC International were honored to have him as a member of our family as the longtime author of the “Bruno ‘Unplugged’” column and as co-host of the popular FDIC International Big Room Session “Bruno and Norman ‘Unplugged.’” He also was a member of the Fire Engineering and FDIC International Educational Advisory Boards and the recipient of the 2001 Tom Brennan Lifetime Achievement Award.
He came to be known as the “father of incident command” and was the advocate for Mrs. Smith, stressing that firefighters be “nice” to her as she was experiencing one of the worst days of her life. He was the champion of firefighters and connected employee morale and performance to how the boss treated them. This relationship, he said, determined how the employees would treat Mrs. Smith.
Brunacini was fond of and extremely dedicated to the Phoenix Fire Department, which he joined in 1958 and retired from in 2006; he held every department position including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, and assistant chief. He was the fire chief from 1978 until 2006, when he retired. Among his legacies to the Phoenix Fire Department was the implementation of a labor-management process that fostered communication between management and labor. Brunacini and Pat Cantelme, at that time the president of the local firefighters’ union, established a system in which committees, headed by an assistant chief and a union vice president, would meet to discuss policies and procedures on a regular basis.
Brunacini was a staunch advocate for firefighter health and safety. He was the past chairman of the Board of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the first chairman and developer of the NFPA Fire Service Occupational Safety Committee (Standard 1500). He was also the first chairman of the NFPA Career Fire Service Career Organization and Deployment Committee (Standard 1710). He was named the 2001 recipient of the Paul C. Lamb Award, which recognizes board members and representatives from the standards councils who have rendered significant services to the NFPA.
Among the books he authored or coauthored are Fire Command, Command Safety, Timeless Tactical Truths, Essentials of Fire Department Customer Service, and The Anatomy and Physiology of Leadership.
Among the many other awards Brunacini received during his long, illustrious career were Governing magazine’s “1997 Public Official of the Year” and a listing in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services “20 of the Most Influential People in EMS” for the year 2000.
Brunacini was a graduate of the Fire Protection Technology program at Oklahoma State University and had B.S. and M.P.A. degrees from Arizona State University. He and his sons operated the Blue Card Simulation Lab and the Web site bshifter.com. He leaves his wife Rita and three children, Nick, John, and Candy, who retired from the Phoenix Fire Department.
Fire Engineering Editor in Chief and FDIC International Education Director Bobby Halton said, “One of the most incredible lights that ever burned in the fire service has gone out forever. A totally unique and one-of-a kind giant, innovator, and moral and spiritual leader has left us better and stronger than we ever could have been without him. He changed the face of the fire service forever, and we loved him and will miss him.”
Executive Assistant Chief (Ret.) Steve Kreis of the Phoenix Fire Department said, “It is impossible to illustrate the qualities of Alan Brunacini. His vision and leadership have impacted the fire service around the world. Bruno loved his family more than anything. Just a ‘little lower on the food chain’ came firefighters and the fire service. He dedicated his life to the fire service and was the ultimate firefighter’s fire chief. He believed that the firefighters’ job was to deliver the highest level of customer service to the community, and he empowered them to do so. Bruno understood that the role of the boss was to look out for the safety and well-being of the firefighters, to provide them with the necessary equipment to do their job, and to not let anything get in their way. He was my friend, boss, and mentor. It was my distinct honor and privilege to serve as his operations chief for more than 10 years.”
Battalion Chief (Ret.) Kevin Conant of the San Jose (CA) Fire Department said, “Bruno: Inspiration, inquiry, generosity, and kindness. His warm smile, perpetual curiosity, always asking a better question, and never being satisfied with the status quo taught us to be servant, leader, student, teacher. He was a treasure, and I am grateful and better for having been his friend.”
Chief (Ret.) Cliff Jones of the Tempe (AZ) Fire Medical Rescue Department said, “Alan Brunacini was the architect of many of the improvements in and programs for the modern fire service. He was passionate about the fire service and the people who comprise it, whether career or volunteer. He was an exceptional leader, an innovator, persistent and yet patient in the process. He was protective of the ‘troops’ and went to extraordinary lengths to protect them. The NFPA 1500 Safety Standard and the 1710 Deployment Standards Committees that he chaired, which required dozens of trips and hundreds of hours of devoted time, are examples of that level of commitment. Someone described him the other day as a cross between Walter Cronkite and Walt Disney—an excellent communicator of both the spoken and written word and a visionary of what was possible and doable. He had literally thousands of followers, knew most of them by name, and would make time for any of them at a moment’s notice if he could be of assistance to them. He was the consummate 21st century fire service leader. He was a mentor to thousands before most of us ever even heard of the word. His smile put people at ease, and he enjoyed interacting with people on topics of the fire service and leadership in general. He was smart, capable on the fireground, and always a lifelong learner. He was a person who provided insight about the issues of the day and encouragement to successfully work through them. I am both honored and fortunate to have had him as a friend for more than 50 years.”
Chief (Ret.) Brian Crandell of the Rae and Sourdough (MT) Fire Departments said, “Alan Brunacini showed Montana’s firefighters and America’s firefighters what ‘right’ looks like. And he inspires us always. ‘Be nice.’ ‘Put Mrs. Smith at the center of every decision.’ ‘Take care of our firefighters.’ ‘Stage.’ ‘Work hard.’ ‘Learn.’ ‘Say more about that.’ ‘This is a process, not an event.’ ‘Do what’s next.’ ‘Keep going.’ Examples to live by. Thank you, Bruno.”
Deputy Assistant Chief (Ret.) John Norman from the Fire Department of New York and half of the dynamic duo in “Bruno and Norman ‘Unplugged’” said, “Chief Brunacini and I have shared the stage at FDIC for the past seven or eight years, and I was humbled to be in his presence. The man was a huge influence on the fire service in general and myself in particular. The fact that we had both attended Oklahoma State University (although many years apart) and shared several friends in common were the initial factors that gave me the courage to approach this almost god-like figure and introduce myself at a conference years ago. He instantly welcomed me and shared some stories of those days with friends years earlier. We would see each other many times over the next several decades, and I was always amazed at his humility and his knowledge as well as his love for the fire service. He reminded me so much of another fire service icon, Leo Stapleton, former fire commissioner of Boston. Both were like father figures to me in so many ways. I will miss him dearly. I have been told that Al died in the Phoenix airport in transit to or from yet another training session somewhere across this great nation. I find it ironic and heartwarming. He was a teacher to so many right up until his last breath. I think that is a fitting legacy for a man who has taught the fire service so much in the past 50 years. I believe he would have liked the irony and enjoyed the fact that he was home in his beloved Phoenix.”
Glenn Corbett, associate professor of fire science at John Jay College in New York City and a technical editor of Fire Engineering, said, “Chief Brunacini had the uncanny ability to put the newest recruit and the saltiest old-timer at ease with his incredible humor and low-key demeanor despite his international fame. He was one of a kind, a true student of the fire service. I don’t know anyone else who meticulously kept up with the changing trends, constantly keeping notes in his little pocket notebook well past his retirement as chief. As the father of Incident Command, he brought the fire service into the modern age of fire scene management. His impact on the fire service will still resonate many years from now.”
Captain David Rhodes of the Atlanta (GA) Fire Department and longtime fellow FDIC International Advisory Board member said, “Bruno was an incredible mentor and friend. I am thankful for the many conversations and incredible wisdom that he shared. He had a unique ability to expose the simplicity in the fire service’s complex issues. He was a great listener who could take your problem, dissect it, and map out a solution on a napkin while drinking an iced tea. He always had time for you and had a way of making you feel important to him. His sense of humor was quick, laced with sarcasm, and delivered as a lesson often at his own expense. He was an enormous icon in the fire service but so humble he seemed like just the nice old man down the street. He lived as he preached, being nice, being safe, and preventing harm. His legacy will live on in the thousands of people who are better for knowing him and his work.”
Fire Engineering technical editor Captain Bill Gustin, Miami-Dade (FL) Fire-Rescue, said, “If I had to characterize Chief Brunacini, the first thing that pops into my mind is that he was a great listener. This is what made him so humble, approachable, and loved. Although he was a giant in the fire service, he never forgot where he came from and held ordinary firefighters in high esteem. He not only listened to firefighters, but he cared what they said and thought. The second thing that comes to mind is that he was a compassionate man dedicated to public service in the true sense of the word. Chief Brunacini set an example for us all by constantly reminding us of why we are here: In his words, “WE ARE HERE FOR MRS. SMITH.” Mrs. Smith represented a person who had a problem, usually not a fire, and had no one else to turn to but the fire department. The Good Chief taught us to be patient and kind to Mrs. Smith whatever her problem, because it is in the finest traditions of the fire service.”
Chief (Ret.) Rick Lasky, Lewisville (TX) Fire Department, said, “If you’re lucky, you have the opportunity in life to meet people who change your life forever. Chief Alan Brunacini changed mine. He was more than just a mentor. He was a good friend, someone I looked up to and always will. But even more than that, he made a difference in the lives of firefighters everywhere. He was an incredible leader, a trend setter, and a mentor—kind, loved his family, and will be loved by our great fire service forever.”
Jack J. Murphy, fellow Fire Engineering/FDIC Board member, said, “We have lost a fire service legend. Chief Alan Brunacini was the essential fire service mover and shaker across this country. There was not any firemanic aspect that he did not contribute to across the broad span of fire department issues. He was always a ‘gentleman’ with a warm heart who would stop and chat as if you were a long-lost friend, no matter what fire service rank you held. There were no frills to his appearance or demeanor, just a simple “Hawaiian”-style shirt that set the tone. My first encounter with Chief Alan was at the 1997 FDIC. The classroom attendees were lining the walls of the large room, so we had to prevent more from entering. After class, he was asked if he was willing to conduct another classroom session the next day. Without any hesitation, he said yes. To my favorite FDIC ‘Best Known Author’ badge attendee, you will be dearly missed but never forgotten. Enjoy your ‘Mack’ fire engine ride through the Gates of Heaven.”
Diane Rothschild, executive editor of Fire Engineering and conference director of FDIC International, reminisced: “At FDIC International 2017, I got word that one of the volunteer door monitors threw Bruno out of a class because he didn’t have a full-conference badge on. So, I walked up to the class with Bruno to get him a seat, and as I approached the door and the volunteer, I said to the volunteer: ‘Do you know who you threw out of this class? Do you know who this man is?’ And Bruno turned to me and said, ‘You shouldn’t yell at the kid. You should praise him for doing his job so well.’ Lesson learned!”
And, a quote about Chief Brunacini that shows his reach into law enforcement was offered by Dan Springer, undersheriff, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Bozeman, Montana: “I have heard the words mentor, friend, teacher, and father to describe this great man we called Bruno. However, I would have to use the word Godfather. He was wise beyond words. He was compassionate when appropriate, he was tough when required, he loved through his actions and relationships. He listened with intense focus and answered with simple sage words. He defined the word humble and gave grace to others. His message to all of us is to keep going even after his passing.”
