VIDEO: A Baltimore firefighter is on life support after suffering a dire medical emergency during a rowhome fire on Monday, May 12. Baltimore Fire officials said Thursday morning that Lt. Mark Dranbauer Jr. is not expected to recover from his injuries.
“Lt. Dranbauer has dedicated more than two decades of his life to serving the people of Baltimore with courage, honor, and unwavering commitment,” fire officials said. “His leadership, compassion, and dedication to his fellow firefighters and the community will never be forgotten.”
The Baltimore City Fire Union said in a statement on behalf of Dranbauer’s family that his injuries are “too catastrophic to sustain life.”
“The Dranbauer family is eternally grateful for all prayers and offers of support during this immensely difficult time,” the Dranbauer family said in the statement. Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said Dranbauer is from a “firefighting family.” He has been with the fire department for 23 years. “So he comes from that bloodline,” Wallace said.ย ย
Firefighters responded to a fire in a three-story building on West Saratoga Street near Park Avenue in downtown Baltimore. Fire officials said Lt. Dranbauer fell backward down the ladder, and crews had to remove him. He was taken to Shock Trauma in critical condition. Fire Chief Wallace said Dranbauer was approximately 30 to 40 feet off the ground when he suffered the medical emergency.
“At this time, we believe he suffered a medical emergency while he was on the ladder,” Wallace said. “As a result of that medical emergency, he fell backwards down the ladder but remained on the aerial ladder itself.”
