Times Are Changing
It is with deep regret we announce the death of Francis L. Brannigan, who passed away on Jan. 10, 2006, at the age of 87. Frank was the author of the book Building Construction for the Fire Service, referred to as the bible for firefighters. He was always lecturing or writing articles for firefighters. Frank had worked in various capacities since World War II. He was a founding member of the Fire Bell Club of New York in 1939. His memory was clear and sharp, and he could recall a fire 50 years ago as accurately as if it had happened yesterday.
Frank often wrote for us and spoke for us at Firehouse Expo, as he did for the rest of the fire service press. At a recent Firehouse Expo, Frank was honored by the International Society of Fire Service Instructors for lifetime achievement. In his acceptance speech, Frank started to describe a fire that occurred in the 1940s or '50s in New York City at which there was a collapse, soon realizing that most of the attendees had not been born yet.
Frank's mission in life was to promote firefighter safety and he did it as no one else could; someone described it as a passion. He is one who will be missed.
Fire Chief Alan Brunacini of Phoenix, chief since 1978, will retire on June 30. Brunacini has written for us and speaks at our shows. His insight and prescience add to any discussion of fire service topics. He will speak in Baltimore this year and I know we will work with him in the future.
The chief started teaching the fire service around the country in 1964. I first met and interviewed him in 1986. A lot has changed in firefighting regarding incident command, customer service and firefighter safety, thanks to Chief Brunacini. Phoenix and the American fire service have come a long way during his tenure. We thank him for his hard work, dedication, friendship and caring for a whole lot of firefighters along the way.
Speaking of changes, while many departments struggle with budget cuts, daily fire company closings, reduced manpower and lack of labor contracts, others are expanding like there is no tomorrow. At a recent meeting in Phoenix, it was stated that many people are moving to the area referred to as the "Valley." About two dozen fire departments protect the area, in which homes and businesses are being built all over. Here is a remarkable fact: every month for the next 44 months, one new fire station will open in the area to maintain adequate fire protection for new residents. Not only are new stations added to areas where there never had been a station, but also being added between existing stations to handle increased call volumes. Along with the rapid expansion, apparatus, manpower and associated firefighting and fire station equipment will have to be purchased. Any young person looking for a fire service job doesn't have to look too far in this area, especially if you are a paramedic.
In preliminary figures released recently, 106 firefighters died in the line of duty in 2005. There were four multiple-firefighter-fatality incidents. Heart attacks were responsible for the deaths of 48 firefighters in 2005, reduced from 61 in 2004. Seven firefighters died of cerebral vascular accidents (CVAs), or strokes, in 2005, up from four in 2004. Vehicle crashes took the lives of 26 firefighters in 2005. Five firefighters were killed in tanker (tender) crashes, five in crashes that involved passenger vehicles and four in pumper crashes. Firefighters were also killed in crashes involving ATVs, aircraft, and a boat.
The U.S. Fire Administration has developed educational programs in the past few years to directly address firefighter deaths in vehicle crashes. Efforts have specifically targeted tanker operations and career and volunteer firefighter vehicle operations. For additional information regarding these programs, go to http://www.usfa.fema.gov/research/safety/vehicle-roadway.shtm.
