The Passing of a Legend

Fire Service Construction Educator Frank Brannigan Passes Away

Francis L. "Frank" Brannigan, author and expert in building construction as it relates to firefighting science, passed away Tuesday morning at his home in Calverton, Maryland. He was 87. Best known for his book, Building Construction for the Fire Service, Brannigan was a sought after expert who regularly wrote and spoke on the dangers of building collapse when exposed to fire. His general theme was always, "THE BUILDING IS YOUR ENEMY KNOW YOUR ENEMY. KNOW YOUR ENEMY!"

In 1939 he was a founding member of Fire Bell Club of New York. During World War II, Brannigan directed a naval fire fighting school, commanded a sea-going fire fighting unit, and was a chief in the Army-Navy-Pancanal fire protection organization. He served for years as the Public Safety Liaison Officer of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. He developed programs for fire officers as well as a Fire Loss Management program.

At Montgomery College, Rockville, MD, he developed a model Fire Science Program. He was a member of the adjunct staff of the National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD and the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.

"He was an icon at MFRI (Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute). Everyone knew him," said Director Steve Edwards. "He was nationally, even internationally known for his expertise in building construction and safety."

"We would pick him up, take him to the class, and take him home," Edwards said. "Sometimes, we'd stop off at a store. Frank was just an outstanding person. He was a wealth of knowledge."
Ron Siarnicki Executive Director of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, was stunned and sadden to hear the news. "He was a legend. He's the one who forged a relationship between the fire service and building construction."

The former Prince George's County Fire Chief said personnel were required to read Branigan's texts before they were allowed to sit for promotional exams. "I'm sure other jurisdictions also made their people read his books. Frank stressed the importance of firefighters understanding building construction. He took that training to the highest level. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to take his classes."



I have Frank’s book on my shelf at home, and I can attest that you can learn more about being a firefighter by understanding building construction and how it works to support itself than by taking any other class. Frank has saved thousands of firefighter's live throughout his time with us and his passing will be a tremedous loss.

God Speed Frank.