News

NVFC Mourns Passing of Two Fire Service Leaders

Published Date: 11.14.2011

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is deeply saddened by the passing of NVFC Michigan Director William Reimann and Hal Bruno, Chairman Emeritus of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF).

Reimann, 64, passed away on November 12 after a battle with cancer. A lifetime resident of Bad Axe, MI, Reimann joined the Bad Axe Fire Department on his 21st birthday and served for 23 years. During that time, he held the positions of Training Officer, Captain, and Battalion Chief.

Reimann’s lifelong dedication to the fire service led him to take an active role in the local, state, and national fire service community. He served terms as president of the Huron County Firefighters Association and the Michigan State Firemen’s Association, was an instructor and training administrator for the Firefighters Training Council of Michigan for 18 years in three counties, and was a committed member of the NVFC board for 12 years.

“Bill Reimann was a dedicated and respected member of the fire service and of the National Volunteer Fire Council,” said NVFC Chairman Phil Stittleburg. “He was a strong voice for the volunteer and worked hard to promote the volunteer fire service as a member of the NVFC’s Legislative and Volunteer Advocacy Committees, as well as the NVFC Foundation. We have lost a staunch advocate and a great friend.”

In addition to his work in the fire service, Reimann was President and CEO of Reimann-Snyder Co. from 1968 until the business was sold in 2000. After his retirement, he continued to work part-time as a DJ at radio station WMIC in Sandusky. He is survived by his wife Judy, two daughters, and two grandsons.

Memorials can be made to the Michigan State Fireman’s Association. An obituary will be available in the Tuesday edition of the Huron Daily Tribune.

Bruno, 83, died on November 8 after a fall at his home in Maryland. He was the longtime Political Director for ABC News before retiring in 1999 to serve as Chairman of the NFFF, a position he held until his retirement in 2008. A volunteer firefighter for more than 60 years, Bruno was a nationally recognized authority on fire safety.

“Politics was his first love. But firefighting was his second passion,” said Glennwood Branche, Vice President for Operations for the ABC News Washington Bureau, in an article on the ABC News web site.

“For more than 60 years, Hal Bruno served as an active member of the fire service community, giving selflessly as a dedicated volunteer firefighter, advocate, commentator, and leader,” the NFFF said in a statement. “He is renowned for his commitment to fire safety initiatives and his compassion for the members of the fire service and their families.”

A tribute page has been established on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation web site. Sympathy cards or donations to a special fund established in memory of Bruno’s years of service and accomplishments in the fire service can be sent in care of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, PO Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727. Donations should be marked In Memory of Hal Bruno.

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