Update: Baltimore Fire Lieutenant Suffers Medical Issue on Aerial Ladder

    May 13, 2025
    Lt. Mark Dranbauer, 44, was about halfway up the ladder when he was stricken, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said.

    A Baltimore firefighter is in critical and guarded condition after suffering a medical issue while about halfway up an aerial ladder at a building fire Monday.

    Lt. Mark Dranbauer, 44, collapsed and fell backwards but remained attached to the ladder, Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said at a press conference Tuesday.

    Our crews did an 'absolute remarkable' job getting him off the ladder, the chief said.

    Wallace praised Dr. Thomas Scalea and his team at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma for their valiant efforts.

    The chief said he went to the hospital where he watched the 'amazing' team in action.

    "They worked feverishly," he said.

    Dranbauer, a 23-year veteran of the department, comes from a firefighting family.

    He is in critical and guarded condition. 

    About the Author

    Susan Nicol | News Editor

    Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues. 

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