By FireRescue1 Staff
CHANTILLY, Va. — The International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation, which provides scholarships for first responders, announced a donation they received in memory of two fallen fire service heroes.
The Darley Family Foundation made a donation in honor of William Darley, a longtime IAFC Foundation Board of Directors member, and fire service legend Chief Alan Brunacini.
Darley was also the president of the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association in the 1980s, and was known for his involvement with the Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association.
“Of all his successes, Bill is most known not by what he did, but who he was,” FAMA and FEMSA said in a joint statement. “He was a friend to all — kind, humble, accepting, funny and true — and he treated all as though he’d known them forever.”
Chief Brunacini, who served in every position at the Phoenix Fire Department since he joined in 1958, was described as “a gentle-hearted philosopher with a keen wit and kind disposition,” according to his Arizona Republic obituary.
“His leadership creed was sincere, smart and simple: Prevent harm. Survive. Be nice,” the obituary reads. “Bruno’s primary focus was firefighter safety. He was a dedicated advocate for ‘Mrs. Smith’ — that’s the name he chose to represent any fire department customer. Treat Mrs. Smith with respect, he said. Be kind, show compassion.”
“The Foundation thanks the Darley Family Foundation for its generous gift to honor the legacy of these two great men who gave so much to the fire service and whose impact will be felt for many years to come,” IAFCF president Anthony Campisi said.