I call retired Phoenix (AZ) Fire Chief Alan Brunacini “America’s Fire Chief” because he has done so much for the national fire service. He is a perfect example of a role model and a teacher.
Several years ago during the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, I made a presentation, “Everyone’s a Teacher.” Once on stage, I took off my suit jacket. Underneath, I had a Hawaiian shirt, and on the auditorium big screen appeared a picture of Alan Brunacini. As everyone knows, the Hawaiian shirt is Alan’s trademark. The audience got a kick out of the stunt. Why did I do it? As an example of a great teacher.
What has he taught us? I ran into Brunacini prior to the presentation and told him what I was planning to do at FDIC. He was surprised, asking me, “Why would you do that?” People would never mistake me for him; I was way too good-looking. “I usually get mistaken for the janitor,” he said. When you deal with someone like Alan Brunacini, he teaches you without even realizing it.
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