The Passing of a Legend, Hero, Mentor & Inspiration: Chief Alan Brunacini

The sudden, unexpected death of Alan “Bruno” Brunacini Sunday hit me like a ton of bricks as I am sure it did many of my colleagues in EMS and the fire service. He was one of those bigger than life leaders that you thought would live forever. He presented the eulogy at the funeral of James O. Page, the founder of JEMS and one of his closest friends. He made us laugh at a time when we all wanted to cry. He showed us hope at a time of great despair, when we thought our world was hopelessly changed and empty. He told us that life must go on, and it will go on, because of the legacy Jim left behind and the principles he taught us. As I reflect on Bruno’s death, I again have faith that we'll be able to go on. Friends and Mentors I grew up admiring both Bruno and Jim. I never thought that either of them would become a friend and a mentor. The truth is, Jim and Bruno mentored anyone who was willing to be mentored. They were both passionate about the same things: Safe, effective and efficient fire service operations and administration; high quality, professional EMS in the fire service—performed enthusiastically and as a major part of the job; doing whatever it took to meet the needs of the "customer," even if it meant boarding up windows, replacing door locks that had been forced open to care for them, or cooking them a meal; and, perhaps most important, being fully transparent with elected officials and the public about the men and women who worked for them. Both ...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: News Administration and Leadership Source Type: news