🔥Behind The Alarm
“I’ve been studying leadership my entire life, and I’m still not sure I can define it. But I know it when I see it.”
— Chief Alan Brunacini
I wish I could say I was an extraordinary fire service professional. I wish I could say I’m exceptional in intelligence, emotional, tactical, or otherwise. But the truth is, I’m not much different from the thousands of firefighters who came before me. I stand on their shoulders. They paved the road I’ve walked, and every step I’ve taken is thanks to the lessons they left behind.
Among all those mentors, peers, and legends, no one left a deeper mark on my journey than Chief Alan Brunacini.
The first time I saw Chief Bruno speak, I was a young firefighter preparing to make my way up through the ranks. I thought, if I’m going to give myself the best chance, I should learn from the best. So I drove nearly 400 miles to see him.
From the moment he began to speak, I knew I was witnessing something rare. He wasn’t teaching tactics—he was teaching leadership. And he did it with humility, humor, and a deep reverence for those we serve.
Bruno never handed out checklists of leadership traits—he embodied them. And those of us lucky enough to be in the room with him, or read his words, or learn from someone he mentored—we saw them up close. He redefined the fire service by focusing on values that too often go unspoken.
Here’s some of what he taught me—and what I’ve tried to carry with me ever since:
The Values Bruno Lived—and Taught
Be Humble – Listen more than you speak. Treat everyone with respect—rank doesn’t make you better, just different.
Be Curious – Never stop learning. Ask better questions. Stay open to change.
Be Courageous – Own your mistakes. It’s a sure sign of personal and professional growth. Seek out the truth—even when it hurts.
Be a Teacher – Share what you know. Lift others up. Leave the job better than you found it.
Be Authentic – Lead as yourself. Not a copy of someone else.
Be Kind – Kindness isn’t weakness—it’s strength with empathy.
Be Customer-Centered – Remember Mrs. Smith. Every call is the most important moment in someone’s life. Treat it that way.
Chief Brunacini often spoke about “Mrs. Smith”—a fictional, symbolic citizen who called 911 when she had no one else to turn to. She wasn’t a firefighter. She didn’t care what kind of engine you rolled up in or what certifications you had. What she did care about was whether you showed up with compassion, professionalism, and purpose.
To Bruno, Mrs. Smith represented every member of the public we serve—and he taught us that our success should be measured through her eyes. If she felt safe, respected, and cared for when we left, we had done our job. If she didn’t, no amount of tactical perfection could make up for it.
Mrs. Smith reminded us that we’re not just firefighters. We’re public servants. And the quality of our service is defined not by the uniform, but by the heart inside it.
📣 A Message to the Veterans of the Job
I want to speak directly to those who’ve been around a while—the salty veterans, the “I’ve seen it all” crowd, the brothers and sisters who’ve put in the time, felt the weight, and carry the scars.
Someone once said, “A smart person has knowledge; a wise person shares knowledge.”
Everyone learns through shared experiences. And no one benefits more from this than the rookie firefighter.
As your career moves forward and you’re no longer the one shaking in their boots, always be available to the one who is. Don’t be stingy with what you’ve learned—especially if no one shared it with you. Be the firefighter you needed back then.
If firehouse hazing and condescension were your teachers, break that chain. Be the example that lifts up the next generation. Because individually, we can get better—but only as a crew can we become great.
And one final thought:
The most extraordinary, capable piece of apparatus is only as good as the crew that operates it.
Be proud of where you work. You chose this department for a reason. You may not always agree with decisions from above, but don’t let that steal your love for the job, or for the people who wear the same patch.
To the Ones Wondering If They Belong
I wish I had the perfect words to inspire the next generation. Something stirring. Something viral. But the truth is, the fire service isn’t about headlines—it’s about heart.
If you want to know what it takes to be a firefighter today, I’ll tell you:
It takes humility, curiosity, courage, and a willingness to serve something bigger than yourself.
It takes leadership—not from the front of a podium, but from the side of a rig, the floor of a firehouse, or the middle of a structure fire.
Bruno taught us that leadership doesn’t come with a badge. It comes with the choices we make—every day.
So if you’re wondering whether you have what it takes, here’s my answer:
Yes, you do.
Because the best way to honor a legacy… is to live it forward.
· Thank you for reading this installment of Behind The Alarm!
Check back next week as we tackle another topic from behind the alarm.
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This article first appeared in Behind The Alarm, the newsletter of Fred R. LaPoint, Fire Chief Paramedic of the Stronach Township Fire Department, on June 19, 2025. Read the original.