Latest news with #MarkDranbauer
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Maryland community rallies to support family of fallen Baltimore firefighter
The mother of a fallen Baltimore firefighter said her son "loved helping everybody." In return, the community gave back to the family of Lt. Mark Dranbauer, who died on May 16 after suffering a medical emergency days earlier while battling a fire. A fundraiser, hosted at Jimmy's Famous Seafood on Sunday, was expected to raise $15,000 to $20,000 for Dranbauer's family. He left behind a 5-year-old son who recently graduated from kindergarten, with firefighters attending the ceremony. "A proper sendoff for him so they can be smiling, and remember in a positive fashion, not just today, but moving forward," said John Minadakis, co-owner of Jimmy's Famous Seafood. Several firefighters, as well as the Punishers LEMC Maryland motorcycle group, with whom Dranbauer rode, shared stories and memories. Tickets to the event included unlimited drinks and a buffet crafted by the chefs at Jimmy's Famous Seafood. There was also a DJ, speeches, games, auctions, celebrity appearances, and more. "It just goes to show how many people cared about Mark and the impact he had," said Robin Dranbauer, Lt. Mark Dranbauer's mother. Saving lives all the way through On May 12, Lt. Dranbauer, 44, was approximately 30 to 40 feet off the ground when he fell backward down a ladder. He remained on the aerial ladder, where he was helped off and taken to a hospital. He was pronounced dead four days later, and with his organ donations, he is expected to save 70 lives, according to medical officials. Lt. Dranbauer served with the Baltimore City Fire Department for 23 years. "He just loved helping everybody," Robin Dranbauer said. Born to be a firefighter Robin Dranbauer told WJZ that Lt. Dranbauer was raised in a firefighting family. His mother and father volunteered for local fire departments. At first, Lt. Dranbauer's family didn't know he was interested in following in his parents' footsteps. "We used to take Mark to the firehouse with us all the time," Robin Dranbauer said. Lt. Dranbauer volunteered as soon as he was allowed, and his parents were along for that first ride. Robin Dranbauer said her son quickly became a leader. "He mentored me on many because I would call him and say, 'I'm not sure I treated this patient right,' and we would talk about it all the time," Robin Dranbauer said. Keeping Lt. Dranbauer's memory alive Lt. Dranbauer's family says they will continue living for their fallen hero, including his mother, who still volunteers with her local firehouse. Her first call reminded her of her son, who worked for Engine Co. 5. "I went down Tuesday to the volunteer firehouse, and my first call was an engine call, so I was like, 'Mark, you're here'…I ride the medic most of all, so I'm going to keep going with that," Robin Dranbauer said.
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Fundraiser set to honor fallen Baltimore City firefighter Lt. Mark Dranbauer on Sunday
The Baltimore community is coming together on Sunday, June 1, for a fundraiser in memory of fallen firefighter Lt. Mark Dranbauer. The event, hosted and put on by Jimmy's Famous Seafood, will raise money for Lt. Dranbauer's family. Lt. Dranbauer died on Friday, May 16, days after he suffered a medical emergency while battling a fire on West Saratoga Street. The 44-year-old was approximately 30 to 40 feet off the ground when he fell backward down a ladder. He remained on the aerial ladder, where he was helped off and taken to a hospital. Lt. Dranbauer served the Baltimore City Fire Department for 23 years. He is expected to save 70 lives after donating his organs, according to medical officials. About the Lt. Mark Dranbauer Memorial Fundraiser The Lt. Mark Dranbauer Memorial Fundraiser at Jimmy's Famous Seafood will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 1. WJZ anchor Rick Ritter will be one of the hosts of the event, along with Jimmy's Famous Seafood co-owners John Minadakis and Tony Minadakis, and T.J. Smith. Tickets are $75, and all of the proceeds will go to Lt. Dranbauer's family. Tickets to the event will include three hours of unlimited drinks and a buffet crafted by the chefs at Jimmy's Famous Seafood. There will be live music, DJ, speeches, games, raffles, celebrity appearances, and more. For information on donating services, such as DJ, photography, music, or other skill sets, contact events@ If your company wishes to become a sponsor of this event, you can contact sales@ For ticket information on the memorial fundraiser, check out this link.
CBS News
19-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Baltimore's fire community mourns the deaths of 2 veteran firefighters
The Baltimore City Fire Department is grieving the deaths of two veteran firefighters -- Charles Mudra and Lt. Mark Dranbauer -- who died following medical emergencies on Friday, May 16. Mudra, an emergency vehicle driver for the department, was pronounced dead at Johns Hopkins Hospital after he suffered a medical issue during a skills training session at the Fire Academy. Mudra had been with the fire department for 17 years. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and fellow firefighters," the Baltimore City Fire Department said in a statement. "His service, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the safety of our city will never be forgotten," the post went on to say." Lt. Dranbauer, 44, was pronounced dead days after sustaining a medical emergency while battling a fire on West Saratoga Street on Monday, March 12. According to Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace, Lt. Dranbauer was approximately 30 to 40 feet off the ground when he suffered the emergency. He fell backwards down the ladder but remained on the aerial ladder itself, the fire chief said. Lt. Dranbauer, a 23-year veteran with the fire department, was taken to Shock Trauma, where he died. He is expected to save 70 lives after donating his organs, according to medical officials. "The Dranbauer family is a firefighting family, so he comes from that bloodline," Chief Wallace said. Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen shared his condolences on social media. "Heartbroken by the loss of two of Maryland's finest heroes," Van Hollen said. "Lt. Mark Dranbauer and Charles Mudra served their community for years, putting themselves on the line to keep Marylanders safe. My prayers are with their loved ones and with the entire Baltimore City Fire Department." Firefighter's funeral arrangements Funeral services have been finalized for Lt. Dranbauer, who will be laid to rest on Saturday, May 24. A viewing will be on Friday, May 23, from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Schimunek Funeral Home, located at 610 W. MacPhail Road, in Bel Air, Maryland. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, at Mountain Christian Church, located at 1824 Mountain Road, in Joppatowne, Maryland. Uniform personnel should line up at 10 a.m. Busy week for Baltimore's fire department The Baltimore City Fire Department has had a busy week. More than 200 firefighters contained a 7-alarm fire at a West Baltimore warehouse fueled by stacks of mattresses on Monday, May 12. Nearby residents were temporarily relocated. The fire also delayed Amtrak train service along the East Coast, from Wilmington, Delaware, to Washington, D.C. There were no injuries from the fire. "I'm going to speak for all the neighbors," neighbor Sharon Jones said. "All of us feel very fortunate that it didn't get to us like that. It could have been worse if all of these houses had burned up along with that building." On May 14, Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood was struck by another devastating fire. More than 60 firefighters battled the three-alarm fire in the 3400 block of Keswick Road. Neighbors said a fire had sparked on the same block days earlier. In October 2024, a set of homes caught fire along the same block, killing a married couple and displacing dozens of other residents.
