Firefighter On Life Support Will Save Dozens Of Lives, Family Says

BALTIMORE, MD — A Baltimore firefighter was put on life support after suffering a medical emergency earlier this week. While he is not expected to recover, his family said he has chosen to continue saving lives once his watch ends.

Lt. Mark Dranbauer, a 23-year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department, was among the firefighters who responded to a three-story building fire on Monday on West Saratoga Street near Park Avenue, CBS Baltimore reported.

Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace said 44-year-old Dranbauer was on a ladder, about 30 to 40 feet off the ground, when he suffered the medical emergency.

Dranbauer was hospitalized. On Thursday morning, the fire department said he is not expected to recover.

"Lt. Dranbauer has dedicated more than two decades of his life to serving the people of Baltimore with courage, honor, and unwavering commitment," fire officials said in a statement. "His leadership, compassion, and dedication to his fellow firefighters and the community will never be forgotten."

The Baltimore City Fire Union released a statement on behalf of Dranbauer's family, which said the injuries he suffered were "too catastrophic to sustain life."

Regardless, Dranbauer's family said he chose to continue saving lives even after his death.

"He is currently on life support, allowing time for his organs to be carefully prepared for donation, in accordance with his selfless wishes," his family said. "Even after death, Lt. Dranbauer continues to think of others, as his tissues and organs will be donated and will save an estimated 70 lives."

As of Thursday, funeral details had not been released.

A GoFundMe was also established to help Dranbauer's family cover the costs of his hospitalization and other expenses.

Dranbauer is survived by his son, James; his parents, Mark and Robin Dranbauer; his sister, Kate Smith; and his nephew, Gabriel Smith and niece, Raelynn Smith.