With Heavy Hearts: Honoring Lieutenant Mark Dranbauer
It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the Baltimore City Fire Department announces the critical condition of Lieutenant Mark Dranbauer, a 23-year veteran of our department and a deeply respected member of our firefighting family. Lt. Dranbauer is currently on life support following a sudden and devastating medical emergency. Despite the relentless efforts of skilled medical professionals, we have received the heartbreaking news that he is not expected to recover.
As he continues to receive care, we remain by his side, hoping for peace and comfort for him and his loved ones. We will share updates as they become available, and ask for patience and compassion as his family navigates the unimaginable.
For more than two decades, Lt. Dranbauer has served the people of Baltimore with extraordinary dedication. He has stood on the front lines of danger, offering his strength and courage without hesitation. Through fires, rescues, disasters, and emergencies, Lt. Dranbauer has exemplified the highest ideals of service, sacrifice, and leadership. His contributions to the department, to his colleagues, and to the community he swore to protect cannot be measured in words alone.
Beyond the uniform, Lt. Dranbauer is known as a mentor, a friend, and a source of steady strength. He was always the first to lend a hand, the one others turned to for guidance, and a calm voice of experience in moments of crisis. His compassion and unwavering support for fellow firefighters—whether on a call or off duty—have left a lasting legacy within our department. His presence has shaped a generation of firefighters and first responders who carry his teachings and his spirit forward.
The grief we feel today is a reflection of the immense respect and admiration we have for him—not only as a firefighter but as a human being. Lt. Dranbauer’s life was one of purpose, impact, and deep humanity, and the void left by this tragedy will be felt for a long time to come.
We ask the public, our extended fire service family, and all who have been touched by Lt. Dranbauer’s service to please keep him, his family, and all of us at the Baltimore City Fire Department in your thoughts and prayers. Now, more than ever, we need the strength of our community to lift us up as we grapple with this overwhelming loss.
In moments like these, we are reminded of the immense personal cost of public service. Lt. Dranbauer is—and always will be—a hero. His commitment, compassion, and courage will never be forgotten.
We stand together, united in grief, love, and gratitude, for a man who gave so much to so many.
Lt. Mark Dranbauer—thank you for your service, your heart, and your legacy. We will carry your memory forward in every act of bravery, every call answered, and every life saved.