According to the mother of a fireman who died in Baltimore, her son “loved helping everybody.”
In exchange, the neighborhood donated to the family of Lt. Mark Dranbauer, who passed away on May 16 following a medical crisis he had sustained fighting a fire a few days before.
About $20,000 was raised for Dranbauer’s family on Sunday through a fundraiser held at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood. Firefighters attended the ceremony, and he left behind a 5-year-old son who had just received his kindergarten diploma.
“A proper sendoff for him so they can be smiling, and remember in a positive fashion, not just today, but moving forward,” John Minadakis, co-owner of Jimmy’s Famous Seafood stated.
Dranbauer shared memories and anecdotes with the Punishers LEMC Maryland motorcycle gang and a number of firefighters.
A meal prepared by the chefs at Jimmy’s Famous Seafood and unlimited drinks were included in the event tickets. A DJ, talks, games, auctions, celebrity appearances, and more were all included.
“It just goes to show how many people cared about Mark and the impact he had,” Robin Dranbauer, Lt. Mark Dranbauer’s mother stated.
Lt. Dranbauer, 44, went backward down a ladder on May 12 while he was between 30 and 40 feet above the ground. He was helped off and transported to a hospital while still on the aerial ladder.
According to medical experts, he is projected to save 70 lives with his organ donations after being declared dead four days later.
For twenty-three years, Lt. Dranbauer was a member of the Baltimore City Fire Department.
“He just loved helping everybody,” Robin Dranbauer stated.
Lt. Dranbauer grew up in a firefighting household, Robin Dranbauer told. Both his parents volunteered for their local fire departments.
Lt. Dranbauer’s family initially was unaware that he wanted to follow in his parents’ footsteps.
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According to Robin Dranbauer, “We used to take Mark to the firehouse with us all the time.”
As soon as he was permitted to volunteer, Lt. Dranbauer did so, and his parents accompanied him on that initial journey. According to Robin Dranbauer, her son rose to prominence fast.
“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 stated.
The family of Lt. Dranbauer, including his mother, who still volunteers at her local fire department, said they will live on in memory of their lost hero. She was reminded of her son, who was employed by Engine Co. 5, when she received her first call.
“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 stated.
